June 2026 Briefing AI is Cheap Right Now. That is Changing.
skip render: ucaddon_dual_color_heading Why AI is So Affordable Right Now Construction AI Lab is a no cost sudyco® initiative focused
Construction AI Lab is a sudyco® initiative focused on understanding how AI is actually showing up across the construction industry—what’s being used, what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next.
Construction Nation,
At a conference last May, I asked dozens of construction leaders, "Are you using AI?" Not one person said yes. I was intrigued, because I have been blown away by how AI has made me "smarter, better, and faster." Over the past year, AI has continued to move fast. I keep wondering if and how people are using AI? If not, why not? AI continues to expand its capabilities. But how do we experiment to find how AI can be applied in real, meaningful ways to our construction workflows?
I decided to start this Construction AI Lab initiative to answer these questions, and more, so I can share what I learn with you. Every other week I will take a question from you, Construction Nation, and do the research then share what I learn in the hope you will know what’s possible, what the barriers are, what’s not ready, etc. Everyone today needs to stay on top of what is happening with AI in construction.
My goal is simple: help you stay on top of your job in a world that’s changing quickly—without adding more noise, more tools, or more complexity than you need.Email me your AI questions - [email protected]
Now, for this week’s question from the field.
Dear Sue, I went to ConEXPO and talked to a guy who is developing some AI for estimating. We aren’t using any AI. Is this something I should be looking at buying?
AI Virgin
Dear AI Virgin,
You are not alone in being an AI Virgin. Even today, most contractors are still right where you are—curious, a little skeptical, and not sure where to start. That’s exactly why this question is the right one to open with.
But before I answer whether you should buy anything, let me back up and clarify something my research shows trips up almost everyone at ConEXPO and every other trade show like it.
First, Let’s Define What We’re Talking About
When most contractors hear “AI,” they picture software—a platform, a subscription, a system to integrate. And vendors at trade shows are happy to let that assumption stand.
After doing some research, I can tell you the AI that’s changing the way estimators, PMs, and field leaders work right now is something simpler: a Large Language Model, or LLM. Tools like ChatGPT or Claude. Think of it as a capable assistant you can have a conversation with—one that can read documents, summarize specs, draft scope language, and help you think through problems. It is not connected to your company data unless you specifically set it up that way (and not used to train the model). It does not replace your judgment. And it does not require a new software purchase.
That distinction matters enormously, because most contractors assume “AI for estimating” means buying a new platform. It doesn’t have to. And for someone who hasn’t used AI at all yet, that’s not where I’d tell you to start. My experience is that AI requires experimentation.
Why Jumping Straight to AI Estimating Software Is Usually a Mistake
Estimating is one of the highest-stakes functions in your business. It’s high risk, high variability, and deeply dependent on judgment that comes from years in the field and hard-won market knowledge. If your first real experience with AI is a failed estimating tool, it tends to shut down any appetite for AI adoption—sometimes for years.
So, the recommendation isn’t “go buy AI estimating software.” The recommendation is: introduce AI into estimating in a controlled, low-risk way first. Build some confidence. Then decide what, if anything, to buy.
Where AI Actually Helps in Estimating Today
Estimating breaks into four distinct areas, and AI performs very differently across them.
Plan and spec review is where AI shines brightest right now. LLMs can summarize lengthy specifications, flag scope gaps, identify conflicts between documents, and surface issues your team might catch late in the process—or miss entirely. This is low risk and immediately useful.
Quantity takeoff is improving fast. Some AI tools can extract quantities directly from drawings, but they still require human validation. The technology is promising, not proven. Treat any tool in this space as a starting point, not a final answer.
Pricing and judgment is still firmly in human territory. Labor productivity, risk assessment, means and methods—these depend on local knowledge and field experience that no AI has yet. Don’t let any vendor tell you otherwise.
Scope writing and bid package development is another strong spot for AI. Drafting subcontractor scopes, writing inclusion and exclusion lists, organizing bid information—an LLM can do this work quickly and give your estimators a strong starting point to refine rather than a blank page to fill.
How to Get Started Without Buying Anything
Phase one requires no new software, no vendor contract, and no IT involvement. Open ChatGPT or Claude — both have free tiers — and start using it alongside your existing estimating workflow. Before you do, understand one thing: both tools default to using your conversations to train their AI models on free and individual paid plans. That means anything you type could become training data (your data is used). Claude allows you to opt out in your account settings, and I recommend you do that before you start. ChatGPT’s free version does not allow you to opt out. If you're working with sensitive project data — bid numbers, client information, subcontractor pricing — the safer path for either tool is their business plan, which excludes your data from training by default. For ChatGPT that's their Business plan; for Claude it's Claude for Work. The cost is modest and the protection is contractual, not just a settings toggle. Upload a project specification and ask for a summary. Ask what scope might be missing. Have it draft a subcontractor scope based on the drawings you describe. Ask it to create an inclusion and exclusion list. Compare two scopes side by side and ask where the gaps are.
This builds real confidence fast, introduces zero risk to the estimate itself, and—most importantly—teaches you what AI can and cannot do before you spend a dollar on anything.
Phase two comes once your team is comfortable. At that point, you can introduce AI-assisted document review tools and begin piloting simple takeoff tools. Your estimating process remains fully human-controlled. You’re just adding a layer of support.
Phase three is where dedicated AI estimating platforms come in—takeoff tools integrated with your existing systems. But you’ll be in a much stronger position to evaluate them honestly if you’ve already built a baseline understanding of what AI does well and where it falls short.
How to Find the Right Vendor When You’re Ready
When you do get to the point of evaluating AI estimating software, don’t let a trade show booth be your primary research. Here’s how to find vendors worth your time:
Ask your peers first. Construction is a relationship business. Find out who in your network has actually piloted an AI estimating tool—not just demoed one—and what their honest assessment is. A phone call with a trusted subcontractor or GC peer is worth more than any vendor case study.
Search by your specific workflow need. If quantity takeoff is your pain point, search for AI takeoff tools. If spec review is where you lose time, look for AI document review tools built for construction. Narrow the field by problem, not by buzz.
Require a pilot before you commit. Any credible vendor will let you run their tool against a real project before signing a contract. If they won’t, that tells you something. Pilot it on a completed project where you already know the outcome, so you can measure accuracy directly.
Measure what actually matters. Don’t just track time saved. Track scope gaps caught, errors avoided, and whether the estimate held up in the field. Speed is a selling point. Accuracy is what keeps you in business.
The Bottom Line
AI Virgin, the guy at ConEXPO was selling you a destination before you’ve learned the road. That’s not a knock on him—that’s how trade shows work. But you’re asking the right question by pausing before you buy.
Most AI vendors are selling faster estimates. What contractors actually need is better scope clarity, fewer gaps, and stronger alignment between what was estimated and what gets built in the field. AI, used correctly, improves the thinking behind the estimate—and that’s worth a lot more than shaving an hour off the process.
Start with a free tool. Try it on a real spec. See what it does. Then decide what’s worth buying.
— Sue
sudyco®
Did this help you? Have a question? Or willing to share how you're using AI in the field? Let us know — and your question or story may be featured in a future issue of Construction AI Lab. Email: [email protected] | Subject line: Dear Sue
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sue Dyer is the founder of Construction AI Lab, where she shares simple, practical ways construction professionals can use AI to save time, reduce frustration, and run better projects. Contact: [email protected]
skip render: ucaddon_dual_color_heading Why AI is So Affordable Right Now Construction AI Lab is a no cost sudyco® initiative focused
skip render: ucaddon_dual_color_heading Construction AI Lab is a no cost sudyco® initiative focused on understanding how AI is actually showing
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