The conversation around AI in construction is loud, yet often lacking in clear, actionable guidance.

While AI has become a buzzword in the industry, what construction professionals truly need is practical information on how this technology can be effectively implemented and how it can impact your company’s bottom line.

This article explores how AI tools — especially in preconstruction — can reduce manual work, improve collaboration, and help contractors win more bids.

The Industry’s Current Roadblock

The construction industry has long been slow to adopt new technology. But with high interest rates, persistent labor shortages, and rising material costs, digital transformation is essential.

Yet, many contractors remain skeptical of AI — they worry it might be too complex to implement or won’t manage to deliver real value. The biggest barrier isn’t the technology itself; it’s trust.

AI in Preconstruction

AI isn’t here to replace jobs; it’s here to enhance efficiency across various teams, particularly in preconstruction. By leveraging AI, companies can streamline processes, improve accuracy, and increase profitability.

As of early 2024, fewer than 4% of U.S. construction companies had used AI recently or planned to do so in the next six months.¹ However, if more companies recognized AI’s tangible benefits, adoption rates would likely increase.

AI to Automate Takeoffs

One area that can readily transition to AI is contractor bids.

Contractors across all trades, from painters and builders to flooring companies and more, are increasing revenues and improving financial performance by using AI-powered tools designed to automate the bidding process — often called takeoffs.

Before any construction project begins, accurate cost estimation is crucial. For large-scale builds such as high-rises, determining the required materials can be a lengthy and complex task, sometimes taking several weeks.

Traditionally, estimators manually measured and labeled hundreds of pages of plans using rulers and rollers.

Now, AI tools can scan construction blueprints and automatically measure and calculate material quantities within seconds, significantly reducing manual errors inherent in traditional methods.

AI estimating tools also leverage real-time data, including market fluctuations and supply chain insights, to refine estimates and ensure accuracy.

By automating the takeoff process, AI estimating software minimizes miscalculations and overlooked details that often occur with manual estimations.

Allowing AI to handle these tasks efficiently allows contractors to save time, cut costs, and improve their bottom line, providing it results in a more accurate estimate as compared to traditional estimating methods.

How AI Drives Profitability

Supporting Collaborative Takeoff Processes

Many construction companies struggle with fragmented communication among subcontractors, architects, engineers, and suppliers. Traditionally, they rely on phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings to coordinate project details.

AI-powered cloud technologies can help reduce these communication barriers by enabling real-time collaboration. Cloud-based preconstruction software fosters collaboration by allowing:

• Faster resolution of discrepancies and errors
• More accurate material estimates and costs
• Prevention of mistakes, assumptions, and delays
• Creation of reliable estimates and bids
• Streamlined project updates and changes
• Acceleration of the takeoff process to meet deadlines
• Better allocation of resources for planning

Would anyone launch a business today and refuse to use a calculator? AI in construction can serve a similar function by improving accuracy and streamlining processes.

AI Chatbots

In addition, AI takeoff tools can offer helpful chatbot features. Imagine being on a loud, chaotic construction site and needing a quick answer about a project detail. Instead of trekking back to the office or flipping through stacks of plans, you might type the question into your smartphone and get an instant response.

With help from AI-powered chatbots, this capability is now available. Construction teams can talk to their plans — and their plans can talk back. These AI assistants provide onsite workers with instant access to critical project details, saving time and eliminating guesswork.

The following include some questions contractors can ask AI chatbots:

• Can you create a detailed summary of this project as it pertains to a painting or flooring contractor?
• Can you create a request for proposal for painting on this project?
• Can you create a request for information for painting on this project?
• Do you have any information on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for this project?
• Can you provide the link to the relevant page of the plan that I’m working on?

The questions revolve around creating requests for proposals in less time, enabling teams to write scopes of work, and analyzing and summarizing plans quickly.

By using a chatbot to ensure your project scope meets compliance requirements and to save time searching for details of a project, teams can quickly clarify details, answer questions, and stay aligned on project specifics, potentially reducing the need for extensive email chains and phone calls.

With AI chatbots, construction teams can stay on site, stay productive, and get the information they need — when they need it. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about working smarter, reducing delays, keeping projects on track, and avoiding costly mistakes and redesigns.

AI Can Help Prevent Costly Mistakes

Allowing Real-Time Edits for All Stakeholders

AI-enabled platforms allow multiple stakeholders to work simultaneously on the same documents with controlled permissions. Unlike manual methods, where errors can lead to budget overruns, project delays, and safety risks, AI can improve accuracy rates up to 98% — far beyond human capabilities.²

AI doesn’t replace estimators but enhances their abilities, allowing them to:

• Conduct cost analyses to refine estimates
• Identify cost-saving opportunities
• Scope and level bids efficiently
• Assess risks and market conditions
• Spend more time engaging with clients