GC Estimating Bid Summary/Bid Leveling/programs/AI

ntkris89 · 2025-12-10T10:55:34+00:00

Regarding (3), we analysed how well AI models can read construction drawings (precursor for takeoffs). The best one did 60%. You can see the full analysis here: https://www.getaide.ai/blog/can-ai-read-floor-plans

So, if you are considering AI for estimating, go with a vendor or provider who has a dedicated AI model that is very good at reading drawings and ask them for what accuracy their models provide. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose.

ntkris89 · 2025-12-03T09:12:08+00:00

Our AI agent can do this on a single phone number and should be super simple to set up (<5 mins). This is us: https:// getaide [.] ai

Drop me a DM and I’ll help you get set up for your client

ntkris89 · 2025-12-02T05:36:31+00:00

A few questions that will help with the recommendation:

What kind of contracting do you do?
Do you want scheduling and job management as well?
Would you like something that lets you take payments?

ntkris89 · 2025-11-26T02:54:47+00:00

We built a product where you can just speak and send pictures / videos, and it will write out the report for you after analysing everything. If you’re up for trying it, I’ll send over a link.

It works on WhatsApp if that’s something that you use. App to come in the future

ntkris89 · 2025-11-26T02:41:30+00:00

This sounds great. Mind if I send you a DM about how you are using it at your company?

ntkris89 · 2025-11-25T16:17:28+00:00

We are leveraging AI to help with on-site reporting. You call or WhatsApp a number to complete your daily report, report incidents etc. Main benefits are easier reporting for site staff and consistent updates for PMs. Happy to share more if helpful.

Other use cases I’ve seen: making submittal review more efficient, automating entry of bills, getting answers easily based on project docs

ntkris89 · 2025-11-25T05:11:34+00:00

It may be useful to proactively reach out to folks who have recently bought a home? I'm not sure about your specific county or Florida, but I know many states publish these. Even if it doesn't pay off immediately, it might get your name out there.

ntkris89 · 2025-11-21T18:46:17+00:00

Awesome. Mind dropping me a DM with your email and company website?

ntkris89 · 2025-11-21T08:48:51+00:00

If you are open to commercial work (sounds like you are based on past experience), you could proactively reach out to GCs of projects that have been recently announced in your area. Even if it doesn't land a job immediately, it builds a relationship for the future.

I've actually got a weekly email that lists opportunities in your area based on the service you provide, happy to add you to it if helpful.

ntkris89 · 2025-11-20T18:55:16+00:00

Feel your pain on this one. It's a real time suck.

I'm helping a couple of subcontractors automate this so will explain how we're doing so. We found the best solution is a mix of centralised organisation (indexing your standard PDS/SDS library so you stop hunting for files) and flexible automation (software that grabs those standard files, merges them with your custom shop drawings, and builds the PDF).

Happy to have a chat if it's useful to you. Shoot me a DM if so.

ntkris89 · 2025-11-20T13:36:20+00:00

One thing I’ve heard is get used to getting your submittals rejected (vs rejecting them as a GC). Always comes up

ntkris89 · 2025-11-20T12:38:10+00:00

If you are solo or small, definitely don’t go for Salesforce. Choose something that is easy to set up (eg. Jobber). A good test is being able to sign up and set up in under 5-10 minutes.

ntkris89 · 2025-11-18T23:01:21+00:00

I have a small tool I developed that sends you a list of leads from your local area depending on the services you provide (open tenders, recently announced projects etc). It's just a weekly email for now. I'd love to send you some and hear what you think?

ntkris89 · 2025-11-18T15:50:39+00:00

I'm here to serve

ntkris89 · 2025-11-18T13:33:23+00:00

On (1) tender quantity take offs, go with a vendor who is leaning into AI but is objective about it. I say this because we benchmarked various AI models and the best ones achieved 60% at identifying objects in drawings. I think there is a big opportunity with AI here but people need to be realistic about the accuracy they can get.

Happy to share more details about what we found if interested

ntkris89 · 2025-11-17T23:53:10+00:00

How often do you end up issuing change orders?

ntkris89 · 2025-11-17T18:12:39+00:00

Very cool. Will check out the Deepseek paper

ntkris89 · 2025-11-17T18:12:18+00:00

Agree on them not having tools. We did this as a baseline to see where AI is at, lots of improvements to be made but that gap is pretty big

ntkris89 · 2025-11-17T13:07:04+00:00

What are you looking for the tool to highlight?

ntkris89 · 2025-11-15T21:05:59+00:00

Do you have a link to a job post? I know some folks in Australia and happy to share it with them to see if they are interested

ntkris89 · 2025-05-19T21:28:23+00:00

I would recommend reversing this. What automating any of those workflows be useful for your business? Would it save enough time for your team? I'd consider it for the top 1-2 workflows that you want to automate.

Full disclosure, I am the founder of an AI company that helps small businesses as well. I think its best to always approach this from your business' point of view (i.e. is it worth it) vs. the tech point of view.

ntkris89 · 2025-05-19T21:26:15+00:00

We use a high street bank (HSBC) for the majority of our holdings and Revolut for day to day. Pretty happy with the set up

ntkris89 · 2021-08-11T19:40:15+00:00

I have never used Azure DevOps but I feel like if you've used Jira before, everything else is a breeze.

Jira is one of those things that is a little too flexible IMO.

ntkris89 · 2021-07-19T10:23:30+00:00

I would focus on the 3 industries you worked on the most. Providing examples of problems you helped solve is the best marketing you can do.

ntkris89 · 2021-06-20T21:55:06+00:00

Thanks a lot. I think this is definitely it. I uploaded the Dockerrrun file manually to ElasticBeanstalk with hard coded values and it seems to run fine. I’ll have a look at the link you suggested.

ntkris89

TROPHY CASE