AI Provides Speed And Precision For Construction Takeoffs & Bids

InnovationTransportationAI Provides Speed And Precision For Construction Takeoffs & BidsBySabbir Rangwala,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about perception, sensors, autonomy, AI and computingFollow AuthorJun 08, 2026, 06:33pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This 1956 photograph depicts a number of CDC officials during a bid opening meeting for the construction of new CDC facilities, 1956. Various governmental contracts are governed by established protocols, which often include a bidding process amongst interested parties. Image courtesy CDC. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).Getty ImagesA key step in the construction process is when the architect and engineering design steps are complete, and contractors and suppliers are invited to submit bids. Referred to as the takeoff process, contractors use design documentation to extract materials and quantities to be procured, critical in the overall cost and pricing analysis. In general, the documentation stack addresses all aspects of the construction project - material, structural, landscaping, roadways, plumbing, water & sewage, HVAC, etc., and is typically shared in a PDF format running into 100s of pages. Estimation experts at different contractors need to go through this in detail to extract BOMs (Bill of Materials) and quantities, as well as identify critical path items. Based on experience, they select suppliers, request quotes, and use all this information along with labor estimates to understand project costs and schedules. These, along with competitive intelligence and profitability metrics, are used to provide a price quote or a bid.Civil engineering and construction has traditionally relied on manual expertise from design, to bid, to execution. This is surprising given that construction is a $30T/year business, 10% of which is in North Ame...