What is it?

The Better Off Calculator is a smart, data-driven tool designed to help estate agents prove their value to potential vendors. It compares your performance against the average local competitor and shows — in clear pounds and pence — how much better off a vendor could be by choosing you.

Whether you’re justifying your fee or showcasing results, this tool arms you with hard data that builds trust and helps win more instructions.

How it Works

The calculator uses four key inputs:

• Asking price of the property
  
  

• % of asking price achieved by your agency
  
  

• Your sales or lettings fee
  
  

• Competitor average % achieved and fee
  
  

It then calculates the net difference in vendor returns — revealing exactly how much more (or less) money a client might make by choosing your agency over a local competitor.

This feature supports both sales and lettings.

Why It Matters

Most vendors compare agents based on fees alone — but this tool helps shift the conversation to value. 

Even if your fee is higher, the calculator can demonstrate how your ability to achieve better results puts more money in your client's pocket.

Using Loss Aversion to Your Advantage

One of the most effective psychological tools in this situation is loss aversion — the principle that people are more motivated to avoid a loss than to chase a gain.

Instead of saying "we could achieve 5% more", reframe it as:

“By choosing the other agent, you could be putting yourself at risk of losing up to £15,000 — just to save £750 on fees.”

Likewise, if your agency has a stronger track record of selling quickly or reliably:

“A lower fee may sound appealing, but with a 30% lower chance of selling, you’re taking a much bigger risk. That could mean price drops, stress, and delays — costing you far more in the long run.”

This approach turns the conversation from "saving money" to "avoiding risk" — a shift that’s far more persuasive when vendors are making high-stakes decisions.

This isn’t about defending your fee — it’s about proving your value.

After all, “The cheap estate agent and the best estate agent are rarely the same thing.”

The Better Off Calculator gives you the data to back that up.

What If the Numbers Favour the Other Agent?

We’ve thought of that too.

In the rare cases where the calculator determines the vendor would be better off with a competitor, we show a polite, transparent message:

“Oh snap! It’s not often this happens, but based on the data entered above, you’d actually be better off by £685.56 using the other agent. We’d still be happy to have a chat with you though!”

This honesty builds credibility and keeps the conversation going — often opening the door to discuss service quality, speed of sale, or other differentiators.

Pricing

Optional Add-On: Lead Capture + PDF Reports

Want to take it a step further? The lead capture enhancement:

• Integrates with TwentyEA
  
  

• Generates a professional, branded PDF comparison report
  
  

• Adds a layer of third-party credibility
  
  

• Can be used as a downloadable takeaway or sent post-valuation
  
  

• Helps capture vendor leads
  
  

The enhancement is completely optional and billed at £40 per month (excl. VAT) to cover the TwentyEA API calls, added to your current subscription.

How to Get Started

1. Contact us to enable the feature on your site
   
   

2. We’ll request the following:
   
   

   • Your % of asking price achieved
     
     

   • Your standard fee (sales or lettings)
     
     

   • Competitor data (if you want to override our averages)
     
     

3. We’ll handle setup and ensure the calculator matches your local market
   
   

4. You’ll get access to a beta link to test and preview the experience
   

FAQ

❓ What does the Better Off Calculator actually do?

It compares the potential value a vendor could achieve using your agency vs. a local competitor — showing the final gain or loss in pounds.

❓ Does it work for lettings as well as sales?

Yes! It’s built to support both.

❓ Where does the competitor data come from?

We use hard-coded average stats based on market benchmarks. You can provide your own competitor figures if you’d like to tailor the comparison more closely.

❓ What happens if my agency doesn’t come out on top?

The tool shows a friendly, transparent message that acknowledges the result while encouraging the vendor to still get in touch. This kind of honesty builds trust and can lead to a valuable conversation.

❓ How do I activate the feature?

Just let us know you’d like it enabled. We’ll gather your performance stats, apply the feature to your site, and give you a link to test it before going live.

❓ Is it really free?

Yes — the core calculator is included with all top-tier subscriptions.

The lead capture + PDF reporting enhancement is available for £40 per month (excl. VAT), if you'd like to add that.

❓ Can I customise the messaging or branding?

Yes — especially on the PDF reports. They're fully branded with your logo, colours, and contact info.

❓ Will this help justify a higher fee?

Definitely. It's designed to shift the conversation from price to value.

Use it during valuations or in follow-up emails to help vendors see why your fee is actually a smart investment.

❓ Can I test it before launching?

Yes — we’ll give you access to a beta preview so you can explore it before it goes live.

❓ Is training or support available?

Absolutely. We’ll walk you through how it works and help your team get the most from it.

Final Word

The Better Off Calculator isn’t just another feature — it’s a strategic sales tool that can help you win more instructions, justify your fee, and start better conversations with vendors.

If you’ve ever had to explain why you're worth a bit more, this is the tool that helps do it for you — because let’s be honest:

“The cheap estate agent and the best estate agent are rarely the same thing.”

Ready to roll it out? Just get in touch and we’ll take care of the rest.