At what point does an estimate become reality?  Never.  It's an estimate.


English Dictionary:
es·ti·mate
verb
ˈestəˌmāt

1) roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.
2) an approximate calculation or judgment of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.

Where is the confusion with this word?  The dictionary is pretty $#%@# concise.

Have I made the definition of the word you are using perfectly clear for you to understand yet?