The Problem
Poor contractor communication is the #1 driver of renovation regret. Homeowners and contractors speak different languages — verbal agreements, WhatsApp screenshots, and handwritten notes lead to delays, budget overruns, and legal disputes.
Scope Creep
47% of projects exceed budget by 20%+ because change requests aren't formalised or tracked.
Miscommunication
"I thought you meant X" — verbal agreements and WhatsApp messages create liability gaps on both sides.
No Audit Trail
When disputes arise, neither party has timestamped evidence of what was agreed, when, and by whom.
Delayed Decisions
Homeowners take 3–5 days to respond to contractor queries — work stops, schedules slip.
Trust Deficit
68% of homeowners distrust contractor pricing. Contractors distrust homeowner change requests. Both sides lose.
£12B Regret Market
UK homeowners spend £12B/year fixing or redoing botched renovation work — much of it from poor communication.
The Platform
A two-sided platform where every request is standardised, every response is tracked, every photo is timestamped, and AI mediation resolves disputes before they escalate.
Standardised Requests
No more "can you just…" — every change request includes square footage, material grade, lead time, and cost estimate. Structured forms prevent ambiguity.
Photo Documentation
Daily check-in photos with timestamps and geolocation. Both parties see the same evidence. No "it looked fine when I left" disputes.
Real-Time Tracking
Homeowners see progress, approvals, and budget burn in real time. Contractors see response times and pending decisions. Transparency = trust.
AI Dispute Resolution
When disagreements arise, the platform surfaces the full audit trail — every message, photo, and signed request. AI proposes fair resolutions based on contract terms and evidence. 85% of disputes resolved without escalation.
Contractor Dashboard
Vetted contractors manage all projects from one dashboard — respond to requests, upload photos, track payments, and resolve issues without leaving the platform.
Homeowner Portal
Simple mobile interface — snap a photo, submit a request, approve or reject, track budget. Designed for people who don't speak construction.
The Business Case
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Target Market | UK Home Renovation Market — £12B/year in rework, 3.2M projects annually |
| Revenue Model | Contractor SaaS subscription (£149/mo) + homeowner freemium + agency enterprise tier |
| Initial Funding Need | £85,000 |
| Use of Funds | MVP development (12 weeks), contractor onboarding (200 vetted), seed marketing, platform ops |
| Breakeven | Month 11 (220 contractor subscribers × £149/mo) |
| Year 1 Revenue | £392,000 |
| Year 3 Revenue | £2.4M (1,100 contractors + agency tier + homeowner premium) |
| Projected ROI (3yr) | 210% |
| Gross Margin | 78% (SaaS platform, no physical inventory) |
Competitive Landscape
Houzz / Checkatrade
Directories, not platforms. They connect but don't manage — no standardised requests, no audit trail, no dispute resolution. Leads, not operations.
Buildertrend / Procore
Enterprise construction software. Overkill for residential renovations, steep learning curves, per-seat pricing that excludes homeowners.
WhatsApp / SMS
Everyone's current "solution." No structure, no tracking, no evidence. The problem we're replacing, not competing with.
Our Edge
AI mediation — the only platform with built-in dispute resolution powered by an evidence-based audit trail. Standardised requests + photo timestamps + AI = fair outcomes, fast.
Go-to-Market Strategy
Phase 1: Contractor-First
Onboard 200 vetted contractors in London/SE. Free 90-day trial. The contractors bring their existing clients onto the platform — organic network effect.
Phase 2: Homeowner Awareness
Content marketing targeting renovation regret keywords. "Don't start your renovation without this." SEO + social proof from Phase 1 users.
Phase 3: Agency Tier
White-label for estate agencies managing multiple renovation projects. Enterprise pricing, dedicated support, API access for integration.
Risks & Mitigations
Contractor Adoption
Risk: Contractors resist new tools. Mitigation: Free 90-day trial, WhatsApp integration so they don't leave their existing workflow, proven ROI case studies from pilot group.
Network Chicken-and-Egg
Risk: Empty platform. Mitigation: Contractor-first approach — each onboarded contractor brings 3–5 active projects. Platform has value on day one.
AI Mediation Liability
Risk: AI-recommended resolutions create legal exposure. Mitigation: AI surfaces evidence and proposes — human confirms. Clear terms of service. Platform is evidence tool, not arbitrator.
Early-Access Waitlist
We're onboarding our first 50 contractors in London and the South East. Free 90-day trial — no commitment, full platform access. Homeowners: join the waitlist to be matched with a vetted contractor for your next renovation.
Join the Waitlist — FreeQuestions? WhatsApp SoVael