What to do if the Beams initial estimate looks low
The initial estimate is generated by our platform from data on past projects. It's a starting point, not a price you're expected to match. You're in control of your pricing — quote on what the site visit and the conversation tell you the work should cost. If you see patterns of low estimates, tell us.
The estimate the customer sees on their dashboard is generated by our platform — it reads the customer's project description and the number of rooms involved, then draws on data from thousands of past projects plus live market rates to produce an indicative cost range. It exists so customers can decide whether the project is even close to their budget. It's not a binding price and it's not a number you're expected to match.
Quote what the work should cost
You're in control of your pricing. After the site visit and the conversation with the customer, you have information the platform didn't — site reality, the customer's specific priorities, what the build will actually involve. Quote on that.
Quotes are due within four working days of the site visit. For larger projects this deadline can be extended — message the Beams Planner, who will update it using admin tools.
If your quote sits materially above the initial estimate, that's not a problem. Customers raise the gap with their planner; the planner explains the difference between an estimate and a quote (the customer-side article What's the difference between a Beams estimate and a builder quote? covers it too). Customers who proceed have understood that the binding number comes from your quote, not the estimate.
If you think the estimate is wrong
If you keep seeing estimates come in low for the kind of work the customer's described, tell us. Either flag it to the planner on a specific project or send a note to your build team contact. Our model is trained on past project data; consistent feedback from builders on systematic gaps is how we keep it accurate. We refresh the model regularly anyway.
You can also include a short note in your quote explaining what's in your scope that may not have been in the platform's view — particularly if there's something material the platform won't have known. This isn't about justifying yourself; it's about giving the customer information so the comparison makes sense.
What not to do
- Don't quote artificially low to match the estimate. The cost lands somewhere — usually as change orders mid-project — and that's worse for everyone than an honest higher quote up front.
- Don't quote artificially high either. Padding to "win back" margin distorts the comparison and harms customer trust.
What this means for you
Quote what the work should cost. The majority of customers don't pick the lowest quote. A clear, honest quote — sometimes higher than the estimate, with the reasons visible — usually wins over a thinner one that the customer can see is going to come back at them later.
Related articles
- How quoting works on Beams
- Using the quoting tool