AI is transforming the way businesses operate and offers many opportunities to increase efficiency and productivity in the future. Many of our clients have asked if this technology is beneficial in producing accurate detailed estimates for the Mechanical, Plumbing and Ductwork Industry. The answer requires some qualifications.
I will start by providing a brief explanation, in very basic terms, how AI works with relationship to generating takeoffs and estimates for the Mechanical, Plumbing and Ductwork industry. AI deploys an algorithm that detects and measures areas, lengths and quantifies materials based on symbols it detects which are contained on a project drawing. It then takes this data and analyzes historical data, material prices based on national pricing and calculates material and average labor cost. It does this with some degree of accuracy. Material quantities are based on symbols it identifies on a drawing however, if a symbol is not clear or inverted it will not read the symbol correctly. As an example, with an actual comparison performed with AI identifying heating registers on a sheet metal drawing it identified approximately 42 out of 78 heating register symbols because the items were not entirely clear or positioned in an awkward location on the drawing. In this simple example the material cost and associated labor was not accurate. While this is a small example it is illustrative of some of the limitations of AI with respect to symbol recognition. The application of labor and materials are also based on historical or national averages. As we know accurate takeoff is critical to accurate detailed estimates. The application of detailed labor and material cost is critical. While AI technology does perform many of the necessary elements for Mechanical, Plumbing and Ductwork estimating it is lacking in the degree of accuracy required for producing accurate final bids. Estimators with experience and training have the knowledge to scan a drawing, conduct detailed takeoff and apply labor and material cost based on accurate industry labor studies and industry experience to produce accurate detailed estimates and a final bid. While AI offers promise for the future it does not appear to be quite accurate enough at this point to produce the level of accuracy required.
Wendes Systems, Inc. watches the development and advances in AI technology closely in order to evaluate the implementation of new technologies as an efficient software tool for our industry.
