# Ask BuildX

> Ask cost questions in plain words, get a ZIP-adjusted estimate, and request quotes from matched contractors in the buildx.pro chat.

Source: https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/owners/ask-buildx/

Ask BuildX is the cost chat at [buildx.pro/chat](https://buildx.pro/chat). It answers from BuildX's 2,000+ cost guides and can suggest contractors from ContractorsNearMe.ai. Anyone can use it; there is no sign-in.

## What you can do

- Pick a mode: **Ask**, **Estimate**, or **Find a pro**.
- Set your ZIP with **Set ZIP** so prices match your area.
- Read a cost card with the estimated total, the labor and materials split, and quality tiers.
- **Copy** an estimate or **Open guide** to see the full calculator.
- See up to 10 **Recommended Contractors** and send one request to several of them with **Request Quotes**.

## Pick a mode

| Mode | Use it for |
|---|---|
| **Ask** | General cost questions. Answers cite BuildX cost guides. |
| **Estimate** | Labor, materials, and quality tiers for your ZIP. |
| **Find a pro** | Local contractors from ContractorsNearMe.ai. |

## Get an estimate

1. Open [buildx.pro/chat](https://buildx.pro/chat).
2. Click **Set ZIP** and enter your ZIP code.
3. Choose **Estimate**, then describe the job with a size if you know it, for example "Replace 1,200 sq ft of carpet with laminate."
4. Read the cost card: "Estimated total" with the service and quantity, the **Labor** and **Materials & other** percentages, and a line such as "Adjusted for Miami, FL." If no ZIP is set, the card says "National baseline estimate."
5. Compare the **Economy**, **Standard**, and **Premium** tiers.
6. Click **Open guide** to open the matching calculator, where you can change the size and see every line.

Answers stream in as they are written. Sources are listed under the answer.

## Request quotes from the chat

1. Ask for contractors, or switch to **Find a pro**. The **Recommended Contractors** list appears.
2. Under "Ready to request quotes?", click **Request Quotes**.
3. Enter your **Name**, **Email**, and optionally **Phone** and **Project Details**, then send.
4. Your request goes to up to 3 matched contractors. The chat shows the status, such as "Quote request sent," and a reference number.

To reach one contractor only, click **Contact** on that contractor's card.

## Privacy

Your chats are saved only in your browser, up to 50 of them. The sidebar says "Your chats stay on this device." There is no account, so clearing your browser data removes them and they don't follow you to another device.

## Keyboard shortcuts

- **⌘K**: new chat
- **/**: focus the message box
- **Esc**: stop the answer

## Good to know

- Limits: 10 messages per minute, 2,000 characters per message. The assistant reads only the last 12 messages of a chat, so start a new chat for a new project.
- Recommended contractors come from ContractorsNearMe.ai. Not all of them are verified; check the profile before you hire.
- The chat estimate uses the same cost guides as the calculators. To change the size or quality level and see every line, use **Open guide**.
- The chat on the buildx.pro home page is an animation. Use [buildx.pro/chat](https://buildx.pro/chat) to type.

## Related

- [How calculators work for property owners](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/owners/how-calculators-work.md)
- [Getting quotes](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/owners/getting-quotes.md)
- [Find a contractor](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/owners/find-a-contractor.md)