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The Power of AI in Preconstruction and Construction

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is nothing new but with generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT continuing to spark conversations around the world, the concept of AI and its uses is growing in popularity and curiosity. Bloomberg estimates that mentions of AI and its related phrases have increased by 77% since last year by businesses across nearly every vertical.

The construction industry is no different, and AI is being increasingly used in the construction industry to improve productivity, safety, and efficiency. According to a recent Pymnts and American Express report, 30% of construction firms plan on investing in technology to help them save time and capital. By leveraging AI, general contractors and subcontractors can be better advised on the necessary components of a potential project in the early stages, increasing the possibility of successful bids while lowering the chances of project overruns so they can maintain their bottom lines and profits.

Innovation Meets Construction

While the construction industry has historically been a late adopter of technology, those that have embraced the best tools have reaped the rewards of greater efficiency, accuracy, and speed. In addition, more progressive companies are more likely to be on the leading edge of adoption, offsetting costs, streamlining simple but time-consuming processes, and improving operational efficiency. For the contractors and subcontractors that haven’t yet, they’re beginning to understand the urgency of implementing this technology early rather than playing catch-up later. What was seen as a “nice to have” has become a “must have.”

AI Begins with Data

As with all new technology, human oversight is required to ensure the proper use of data sets because AI is only as effective as the data that’s put in. Construction professionals must be deeply involved in these initial stages to craft the tasks, data, and inputs to ensure this technology achieves its potential and creates efficiencies in planning, design, operations, and more.

AI provides contractors and subcontractors with predictive analytics and is used to analyze historical data and predict future events, such as project delays or equipment breakdowns. This helps construction companies to better plan and manage their projects. In addition, AI speeds up data analysis and helps project teams make faster, better decisions with greater certainty.

AI on the Job

AI can detect potential design flaws or clashes before construction begins, reducing the risk of costly rework. Once construction has started, AI-powered equipment such as drones, excavators, and bulldozers can operate autonomously, reducing the need for human labor and increasing safety. Regarding the construction process’s safety and quality control aspects, AI-powered cameras and sensors can monitor construction sites for safety hazards such as falls or other accidents. These systems can alert workers in real-time and help prevent accidents before they occur. In addition, AI can be used to analyze construction materials and detect defects before they are installed, helping improve the quality of construction.

To wrap up, AI can potentially bring about significant changes in the construction industry. With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and perform complex tasks, AI can help improve productivity, safety, and efficiency in construction projects. It can also enable better decision-making, reduce costs, and speed up the completion of projects. However, the successful implementation of AI in the construction industry requires significant investment and collaboration between various stakeholders. With the right approach and resources, AI can transform the construction industry and pave the way for a more innovative and sustainable future.

Ro Bhatia - CEO of PlanHub

Ro Bhatia – CEO of PlanHub

About PlanHub

PlanHub is the fastest-growing, cloud-based preconstruction platform that connects general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and material suppliers to build relationships and improve how they collaborate, manage their business, and win more projects together. Created by contractors, for contractors. PlanHub is the most trusted end-to-end pre-construction platform, serving 55,000 general contractors and 350,000 subcontractors. PlanHub provides easy-to-use tools that connect construction professionals, simplify the bidding process, accelerate takeoff, and find more quality leads, while providing access to in-depth market intelligence and dedicated personal service that helps support and grow their businesses.

PlanHub. Simplified Preconstruction for Everyone.

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    Data and Deep Insights

    We make construction smarter by connecting with the right people, at the right time, for the right project.

    With our technology and data intelligence, we empower construction professionals to easily build the right business relationships, streamline pre construction processes, and make efficient decisions.

    From competitive intelligence in each project allowing you to know how many other contractors are downloading or bidding to insights as to contractors’ performance, we provide the data you need to lead your business to success.

    By providing faster, simpler, and unmatched data insights in each step of the pre construction process, PlanHub helps your business lay a strong foundation for the success of the rest of the construction process.

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    Bid Leveler & Proposal builder

    Comparing bids to one another has never been easier. Users can now see bids side by side, compare bid amounts, and review subcontractors’ certifications and qualifications all in one place.

    Bid Leveler’s apples-to-apples approach allows you to easily drill down and see detailed, easy-to-scan cost breakdowns. Indicate bid preference, hide bids that don’t meet your needs, and request needed information from subs.

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    Full Bid Management

    From the initial decision to pursue a project to the final bid submission and follow up, bid management plays a central role in pre construction.

    Effectively managed bids during the preconstruction phase set the stage for a successful project execution and satisfied clients.

    Streamline bid management from project posting to estimating, bidding, and awarding in one place with easy project posting, project-contractor automatic matching based on trades, location, and qualification with PlanHub.

    Use bid planner, bid builder, bid leveler, and award tools to always know what’s going on with each project and bid.

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    Estimation and TakeOff

    Let’s face it—time is money. And the more time it takes to perform takeoffs and submit bids, the more you risk losing out on valuable revenue opportunities. Manual methods and locally installed desktop software slow your takeoff process, and many digital solutions currently on the market can be overly complex and not user-friendly. 

    Build faster takeoffs, get more bids out the door, and win more projects. Forget pen and paper, outdated desktop software, and overly complicated digital takeoff solutions. PlanHub’s easy-to-use Takeoff tool helps you and your team build accurate takeoffs faster, minimize errors and material waste, and win more projects that boost your business growth. Performing your takeoffs with PlanHub allows you to:

    • Streamline and integrate your process: Perform your takeoffs in the same platform you use to manage your network and bids.
    • Avoid costly estimating errors: Get better accuracy with digital tools instead of traditional, mistake-prone pen and paper.
    • Collaborate easily: Share and work with your team, no matter where you—or they—are located.
    • Submit more bids and win more projects: Get quality bids in front of general contractors faster and get ahead of your competition.
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    Document Management

    Organize, store, and manage various documents, blueprints, drawings and other information related to projects before the actual construction phase begins.

    This phase is crucial for setting the foundation of a successful construction project, and effective document management plays a significant role in ensuring that all necessary information is accessible, accurate, and up-to-date to all interested parties.

    Access, review, work on, and share large complex documents in one platform with amazing speed. From project definition, drawing management, takeoff, estimation, bid management, and contracts, everything happens in PlanHub.

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    CRM

    Be part of a construction professionals’ ecosystem that enhances collaboration, streamlines project management, and fosters smart relationships between companies, construction professionals, and projects.

    Enjoy seamless communication, build strong relationships, and streamlines project management. By leveraging the power of connections and collaboration, we enhance efficiency, save time and resources, and drive collective growth in the industry.

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    1M+ pre-qualified network

    PlanHub is the leading platform that connects companies, construction professionals, and projects in the pre-construction industry, focusing on building and developing meaningful relationships to enhance efficiency and productivity.

    We have integrated general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers’ workflows in one platform to simplify the complex back and forth usually present in preconstruction. By allowing all interactions to be done through PlanHub, tracking projects and relationships is much easier, saving contractors and material suppliers time and money. Interactions in the platform are tagged and measured to provide insights to users.

    General contractors create bid packages that are shared in PlanHub as projects. They can include templatized lists of all CSI cost items as part of the new Baseline feature. Baseline allows for faster and more accurate bid requests, facilitates homogenization of subcontractors’ bids, and simplifies the comparison of incoming bids.

    Subcontractors are automatically matched with relevant projects based on their profile, preferences, and pre-qualification information saving hours of research to both sides. They can review project details, documentation, and blueprints.

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    High-quality projects

    Your one-stop job for qualified hard-to-find private project leads in varying stages like pre-planning, bidding, etc., and across different geographies, zip codes, or distance to your office.

    Projects include plans, specifications, bid dates, and other relevant project information.

    You can segment project leads by type of project, status, project building use, trades and sub trades, or create your own list of keywords — and be notified when one of them is found in a posted project’s documentation or plans.

    We make it simple to find projects that match your business — and make sure you are notified right away.

    				
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    From the very beginning, PlanHub has been a place where people can do meaningful work and build strong relationships.

    Come grow with us! We’re building innovative technologies that simplify preconstruction for everyone.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.

    Create quicker, improved takeoffs effortlessly. PlanHub’s Takeoff Core aids your team in accurate, faster estimates, minimizing errors, and driving business growth.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.