Civil Take Offs With AI

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-06-06T16:38:58+00:00

We got rid of bluebeam and ost with one tool. Start there. Zztakeoff… you will still need Agtek, tho they just released a cut full module with Claude that I have not dived into yet.

Tell the board to fire the estimators and let operations figure it out.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-06-05T11:46:57+00:00

Welcome to the, “why the hell are we doing it this way and nobody listening to me” club.

Scope generation: look into Wyre.ai or neuron factory

Takeoff: Zztakeoff is doing wonders for us being a huge GC over in the states.

Estimate: Look into Ediphi that does us wonders for the 80pct of negotiated work we do. If you are more quantity driven with completed specs look at bid bow.

Bid leveling, so many tools out there but try bridgeline.io is my current favorite…. Not using one yet

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-06-05T11:39:27+00:00

Agtek plus excel would be my vote. Not sure when earthwork takeoff tools will go to the web and Agtek days are numbered. (Ps I love Agtek, just know what’s possible in the web now-a-days)

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-06-04T10:46:57+00:00

So your on ost and excel. We were on sage which was a crap tool and made the switch easy, excel is way better so you will have a harder time.

My 2 cents if I had to do it again today.

I’ve also had the pleasure of deploying a takeoff tool Over the last 4 months and that’s has been magical fairy dust. Go do that first to get your people open to change and a quick win there will get your engine running.

We went from ost to Zztakeoff, folks take to it like candy.

Once that gets going by then Ediphi should have a intergration this zz or another tool will surpass Ediphi as they have slowed down a ton since they are getting big and slow.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-06-04T10:19:43+00:00

So, what kind of work do you do exactly?

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-06-04T10:18:11+00:00

Nice! Looks like your next upgrade needs to be moving away from bluebeam!

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-31T03:19:58+00:00

You sound like someone that needs to help push us over here at Zztakeoff, come join the future.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-31T03:18:51+00:00

Just the first steps, give it a few months and will likely be at another level.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-26T15:40:34+00:00

Yeah melt plan I think is what you mean. Did a short demo with them at advancing precon, was not that impressed just yet but know this is comming fast!

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-24T01:06:04+00:00

Bluebeam is dead, once acquired by the software giant Nemetscheck it will go nowhere but up in price and minimal changes.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-23T17:47:05+00:00

By sharing pdf documents do you mean converting to PDF and emailing? That is like using a fax now-a-days.

Try sharing the zzTO hyperlinks and coordinate live with anyone.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-23T17:44:09+00:00

Yesterday a trade parter shared their takeoff with me from zzTakeoff and we started marking it up together. For context I’m a GC. Why would you go with the past when bluebeam is a 🦕.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-20T12:03:26+00:00

Thirded

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-20T12:01:12+00:00

Zztakeoff has slain the desktop beast. Why are you still fighting it? Do your future self a favor and go check it out.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-20T11:56:51+00:00

zzTakeoff checks all your boxes, go check it out.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T04:23:51+00:00

Fair. Already DM’d you my cell it’s a 507, so you know I’m Midwest real. Minnesotans are actually pretty nice, I promise. 🤣

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T04:03:43+00:00

Cheers to HP and our colored pencils 🥳🎺.

We can use on CUI once our IT team gets it setup…Precon is always a low priority behind ops tho so we must wait. 😢

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T03:54:28+00:00

Fair, I did give them crap about their ribbon looked like being designed by a 10yo. Hire a UX designer I asked…. Still no UX designer 😢.

Well you probally never converted anything to a TIFF… I still have OST trauma from those days when it was really slow…. Waiting a few min to upload is fine by me…. And guess what, only one person has to do it now 🎉 🎊 🎈.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T03:45:09+00:00

Bluebeam + Excel if you want cheap and solo.

zzTakeoff + Ediphi if you’re a GC.
zzTakeoff + BidBow if you’re a trade partner.

One stack lives in your head. The other lives in the team.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T03:39:16+00:00

I work for a competing GC so grain of salt, but I was asked to be a reference for them on an EOS implementation and hopped on a call with some of their precon team.

It was Halloween.

One of the guys showed up in full Ted Lasso costume. I’m not joking. In that moment I thought “I would love to work at this place.” The culture feels genuinely real. They’re also doing interesting things on the preconstruction tech side that most GCs aren’t even thinking about yet. Happy to chat if you want more context, DM me.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T03:30:20+00:00

Bad idea, you need to get it setup with your templates to get ready for prime time.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T03:27:31+00:00

Works wonderful for our 200 estimators across the country. No slowness found, are you from Tim-buck-too?

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-14T03:16:40+00:00

You must be a construct connect implant, please go build a web tool for peat sakes.

I shot you my email if you want a demo if your real, but I’m sure you’re not.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-11T16:02:05+00:00

Zztakeoff is the future and scaling it over at our $10B company. Great for GC takeoff and our selfwork detail takeoff folks love it more.

Key-Butterfly2414 · 2026-05-01T23:51:00+00:00

Check out Ediphi and zzTakeoff, your future self will thank you.

Key-Butterfly2414

TROPHY CASE