What Beams does and what it doesn't do
Across the three phases of a renovation — design, procurement, and build — Beams provides tools, a designer, contracts, milestone payments, and a vetted network of builders. The builder runs the build day to day.
A Beams renovation has three phases — design, procurement, and build — and our role is different in each. This article describes what we do, and what we don't.
Design
We provide design tools and an optional design service.
- Design tools. A materials catalogue, layout and finish references, and the tooling that helps your designer (or your builder) put together a clear design pack.
- Design service. If you use our design team, our designers produce design intent — drawings, finishes, materials choices, room layouts. Design support is paid by the hour; the article Design pricing — what's free, what's paid covers it.
One important point on responsibility: under the Home Improvement Contract (HIC), the builder is the designer for the works they execute. What our designers produce is design intent — a clear brief that the builder converts into specifications and constructs. If you bring your own architect, the article What if I already have my own architect, drawings, or planning permission? covers how that works.
Procurement
Beams doesn't procure on your behalf. Either you or your builder purchases materials and products from suppliers.
What we provide is a partner-supplier network with negotiated discounts. Our partners cover a wide range of categories — kitchens, bathrooms, sanitaryware, tiles, flooring, lighting, paint — and a smaller number of consolidated deliveries means fewer logistical handoffs during the build. You can choose to buy from our partners, from your own suppliers, or have your builder source items. The article How materials work — your role, the builder's role, ours covers the practical split.
Build
By default, your builder runs the project day to day. Additional Beams project management is an optional upgrade for customers who want more hands-on support.
Standard Beams service (included with every build). This is how most customers renovate with us. It keeps costs down and responsibility clear.
- Your builder manages the site, trades, and programme day to day.
- Beams provides the structure: contracts, milestone payments, change control, and background support.
- Beams carries out site visits at the four agreed project milestones to check progress against the contract and support payment approval.
- You work directly with your builder, with Beams available to step in if something needs sorting out.
Additional project management (optional, paid). For larger or more complex projects, some customers choose extra support from Beams:
- Weekly site visits aligned to progress and risk points, not just the four milestones.
- More hands-on coordination and support from the Beams team alongside your builder.
- Proactive support on sequencing, decisions, and issues before they escalate.
The fee for additional project management is 20% of the build cost.
It's not right for every project. Smaller or straightforward jobs usually don't need it. Bigger, longer, or higher-risk builds often benefit from the extra structure. We'll be straight with you about the trade-off and help you decide what level of support makes sense for your project.
Related articles
- What Beams is and how it works
- Your build advisor — what they do
- When you might want extra Beams support