So (please prove me wrong), all estimating software is fundamentally built around 3 core features: 1. Take-off tools. Every business needs one of these, the two main ones are planswift and Bluebeam. I love Bluebeam but a lot of people hate it. Its just he one I'm used to 2. Managing cost/productivity/quantity databases- ie storing labor, plant, material, subcontractor rates 3. Preparing prices - combining quantities with rates etc. For most contractors, all you need is a quantity take off tool and excel. There are trade specific tools, but they often just have more data and are tailored towards trade specific workflows And AI just adds intelligence to this process. Ie can convert bid documents into requirements, or automatically extract quantities from drawings I did a breakdown in this video. If you like + comment it helps the algorithm!

Previously I used to use Candy. I loved it but it had a super steep learning curve. It took ages to get used to and I think I was probably only using it for 10% of what it could do. The project controls stuff was pretty impressive but I never got to apply it on a job properly

This Person on site was relying on AI for everything... estimates, planning, even execution steps without checking drawings or specs. At first, it looked fast… until things started going wrong. Measurements were off. Steps were missed. Rework kicked in. The real issue? He didn’t understand what AI was telling him. That’s the trap. AI can speed things up but if you ignore the plans and don’t know the process, you’re basically building on a weak foundation. In construction, you don’t skip the drawings. Same thing with AI, use it to support your work, not replace your knowledge. What’s your take, seen something like this on site before?

Hey team, I'm putting together a production rate library, basically all the key construction activities broken into tasks, with productivities and qualifiers. Keen to see what people thing and whether I am missing the mark on anything