AI hype is at its peak. Generative AI has many uses, but it has no space in construction estimating. Being 100% accurate with your estimate is still the best way to win bids and maintain margins for your construction business. I tried out the best AI estimating software and it was an exercise in disappointment.
AI enabled estimating software limitations
LLM’s or generative AI (like Chat GPT) use statistics and pattern matching. They don’t use hard logic. They will never be 100% accurate and will always hallucinate. (Even the AI itself admits this)
Therefore, all the current AI enabled software using this technology keep hallucinating as well. Drawing walls where there aren’t any, counting items wrong and also of course not getting the room or ceiling area right.
Don’t fall for the demo
The demo is always brilliant. No matter which AI enable estimating software you try. It’s always magic. But it's never real. Once you start using the software you realize its completely unreliable and a pain in the *ss.
Checking the AI is very tough
Human mistakes are predictable and easily checked. Even if as an estimator you check your own work, you know where to look. The AI makes completely unpredictable mistakes. Making sure AI work is accurate is tougher than simply doing the work yourself.
Even if Perfect, AI enabled software will still only do 20% of the work
Drawing lines or making clicks (for counts) is only 20% of the work. 80% of the work is assigning an item to each click or line drawn and understanding the job and its requirements.
So even in the best case scenario of 100% accuracy, AI will only do 20% of the work. Because all it does is draw lines, areas and counts. It doesn’t assign items to them.
Possible exception is counting light fixtures, but like we discussed above its never going to be 100% accurate and how will you trust it to bid based off it.
Conclusion
Traditional construction estimating software is still the way to go used by experienced estimators. Getting bids wrong is the fastest way to get out of the construction business. Stay away from AI enabled software or services that say they use AI enabled software.