During the build
What to expect, how to work with your builder, and what to do when something needs sorting.
- How to work best with your builderCommunicate clearly. Make decisions when they need to be made. When your builder explains why something needs to happen a particular way, weigh that experience seriously.
- How your builder tells you about timeline changesBuilds shift. Your builder is responsible for flagging changes to the programme early and clearly. Beams sits alongside if something needs unsticking.
- Living in the home during the buildMost renovations can be lived in. Some can't. Here's what's reasonable, what isn't, and how to make it work if you stay.
- What happens when something outside our control disrupts the buildA leak from a neighbour, a freeholder dispute, an unexpected third-party event — these can disrupt a project. Your builder leads on coordinating with the third party and adjusting the programme; your build advisor steps in only if something gets stuck.
- What to do if you disagree with a milestoneIf the work hasn't met the milestone, raise it through the platform during the seven-day window. The payment is paused while you and your builder sort it out.
- What to do if you encounter hazardous materialsAsbestos, lead paint, or other hazardous materials surface occasionally during renovations of older homes. Stop work, escalate, and follow the right specialist process.
- What to do if you find the wrong materials installedIf something has been installed that isn't what's recorded on the materials tracker, raise it with your builder immediately. The path depends on the cause and how far the install has progressed.
- What to do if your builder misses a milestoneStart with your builder. Ask whether the slip affects the wider programme and ask them to update the milestone dates if it does. If you're not satisfied with the answer, your build advisor is the next step.
- What to do if your project is significantly delayedA meaningful delay is a build advisor conversation, not a single message. Tell us; we'll work with your builder on the cause and the recovery, and walk you through your options.
- What to expect from your build, week by weekMost builds move through four phases: break ground, first fix, second fix, sign-off. Here's what each looks like from your point of view.
- When you might want extra Beams supportFor larger or more complex projects, our optional Project Management Support is the upgrade. It adds weekly site visits, hands-on coordination, and proactive support, for 20% of the build cost.
- Your build advisor — what they doYour build advisor is the Beams person you turn to if you can't sort something out directly with your builder. On the standard service they review milestone evidence and step in when something needs attention. With Project Management Support, they're more hands-on day-to-day.