Frequently asked questions

Kestim is an independent renovation advisory service. You upload photos and describe your project, and within 48 hours you receive a clear, expert-level analysis of costs, risks, and what to ask contractors — before you request any quotes.

No. We are 100% independent. We don't sell renovation services, we don't take commissions, and we don't recommend specific contractors. Our only job is to protect you, the homeowner.

We cover most residential projects between €20,000 and €150,000, including kitchens, bathrooms, extensions, roofing, insulation, windows & doors, electrical & plumbing, and full interior renovations.

Our estimates are based on real renovation price benchmarks, regional data, historical contractor pricing, material cost trends, project complexity, and surface area. They are not a formal quote, but they give you a realistic, trustworthy range so you can immediately spot overpriced or incomplete offers.

You receive your full Renovation Intelligence Report within 48 hours after submitting your project.

You can upload photos of the space, a short description of your project (AI helps you refine it), and any quotes you already received (optional). The more information you provide, the more precise your analysis will be.

Yes. You can upload one or multiple quotes, and we highlight missing items, hidden costs, inconsistencies, red flags, and pricing anomalies. This helps you avoid costly mistakes and negotiate with confidence.

No. Kestim is fully online. Our system analyzes your photos, your description, and your documents to generate a detailed, structured report.

Absolutely. You get access to a private dashboard where you can ask questions anytime, upload new quotes, request additional comparisons, and get guidance during the works. This ongoing support is optional and billed monthly.

Most construction "scams" aren't disappearing acts — they are death by a thousand cuts through overcharging on labor and materials. Our Expert Analysis cross-references your contractor's quote against thousands of real-world data points in your specific region. If your contractor quotes €5,000 for a task that should cost €3,200, we flag it immediately so you can challenge the markup before signing.

This is the most common tactic used to justify inflated margins. Kestim breaks down quotes into "Market Fair" and "Premium" ranges. If a quote exceeds the "Premium" threshold, we provide you with the specific technical questions to ask about the materials and methods being used. This forces the contractor to justify the cost with facts, not just vague promises of "quality."

Yes, because you don't know what you don't know. On average, our users identify 10% to 20% in unnecessary costs or hidden cushions in their initial quotes. On a €30,000 renovation, that is a saving of €3,000 to €6,000. The report pays for itself by giving you the data needed to negotiate a fair market price.

It's never too late for oversight. If you have already started, use our Project Insurance to audit Change Orders (unexpected extra costs). Contractors often use mid-project surprises to recoup profit. We analyze these new charges to ensure they are legitimate and priced fairly, preventing your budget from spiraling out of control.

The goal isn't conflict — it's transparency. We provide a Negotiation Script with your report. Instead of saying "You are overcharging me," you can say: "I've run an independent market analysis, and the labor hours for this phase seem significantly higher than the regional average. Can we walk through the specific breakdown of these hours together?" It shifts the dynamic from accusation to professional oversight.

Yes. Your photos, documents, and project details are stored securely and are never shared with contractors or third parties.

Contractors are not independent. They each have their own pricing, margins, and preferred methods. Kestim gives you a neutral, expert-level baseline, a clear understanding of what should be included, a list of questions to ask, a risk map, and a negotiation advantage. You meet contractors prepared, not vulnerable.

Yes — we support Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. More regions are being added soon.