Quick rules — what every Beams builder should know

A single-page reference. None of this is new — but it's worth keeping somewhere you can find it fast.

Don't start before the Home Improvement Contract (HIC) is signed and the first milestone is funded

Both gates have to be clear. Without them you're working without a contract or without funding, and that's bad for everyone. The dashboard tells you when you're clear to go.

All changes go through the platform

Variations and change orders go in via the Beams app. Don't agree changes verbally with the customer and bill for them later — submit, get the customer to approve, get the funds released, then start the new work. Same protection for both sides.

Invoice by midday Thursday for payment the following Friday

Submit milestone evidence, mark the milestone complete, and email your invoice to build.invoices@beamsrenovation.com before midday on a Thursday. Approved invoices go out by end of day Friday the following week. Miss the cutoff and the invoice slides into the next cycle.

You set your own prices

Beams produces an initial estimate to give the customer a sense of where the project sits. You're in control of pricing — quote what your site visit and conversation tell you the work should cost.

Up to three builders are quoting for any one job

The customer sees up to three quotes side by side. Sixty per cent of customers don't choose the cheapest one — they choose the one they trust. Quality, professionalism, and clear communication win as often as price.

If your bank details change, notify Beams in writing by email — never by WhatsApp, SMS, or any other channel. This protects you from fraud and keeps your payments going to the right place.

You're the Principal Contractor on Beams projects

Under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) 2015, the Principal Contractor designation usually sits with you. Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) on site at all times. Construction Phase Plan in place before you break ground.

Keep your insurance current

£5m Public Liability (PL) and £5m Employers' Liability (EL) are non-negotiable. Upload renewed certificates as soon as you have them — the dashboard will remind you when expiries are coming up.

Customers rate you after each milestone

Site visit and project completion both feed into your public profile. Your Time-to-Quote, Project-Delivery Score, and Builder Level are all visible to future customers. The article Builder Levels — the four tiers explains how the system works in detail.

If something goes wrong, escalate fast

Try to sort issues out directly with the customer first. If you can't, email build@beamsrenovation.com with the project ID, milestone, photos, and a short summary. We acknowledge within one business day and write back with findings within three.

The four standard milestones in operational practice
Submitting invoices
Change orders — the operational mechanics
Penalty points and suspension
The contracts behind working with Beams