Many contractors have already started using artificial intelligence (AI) and are seeing significant benefits. Some businesses are worried about the price of AI tools, but there are several low cost products like ChatGPT providing General Contractors with better tools and new ways to manage their projects and businesses. Below is a short list of some of the top ways contractors are using ChatGPT for construction, as well as some places where construction-specific tools add more value.
Top 4 Ways to Use ChatGPT for Construction
1. Drafting and refining important communications
Business depends on clear and professional communication with clients, subcontractors, and others involved in the project. ChatGPT can be a helpful tool for improving communication, enhancing clarity, and overcoming language barriers.
Example Prompt
Turn the following into a formal delay notice in a clear professional way: "We need 5 extra days because the millwork delivery is late. New date Oct 15. Client approved the material last week.”
2. Simplifying complex construction documents
ChatGPT is an excellent tool for translating complex construction concepts, such as inspector or environmental reports, into clear and simple language. This makes it much easier for clients to understand technical information.
Example Prompt
Explain this Geo-technical report to me in plain English and list the three main impacts it could have on the project.
3. Drafting and understanding legal documents
Building involves more than just managing your team and subcontractors; there are also specific and complex legal and licensing requirements. While most contractors are experienced in handling the legal aspects of building, using ChatGPT can help you understand complex legal language in your documents.
Remember, relying solely on AI might not offer full legal protection, but it’s a helpful place to start if you’re trying to interpret a particular contract clause.
Example Prompt
I'm remodeling a house for a homeowner, and their HOA mandates an Indemnification form that they've asked me to sign. Does this document contain anything unusual beyond what is typical in a standard business agreement?
4. Creating work breakdowns
Although ChatGPT won't replace a project manager's job anytime soon, it can help make project plans more logical and organized. By providing ChatGPT with all the necessary project details, it can generate a comprehensive list of steps and tasks required for completion. This streamlines project planning and assists in scheduling subcontractors.
Example Prompt
Based on the scope of work attached below, what are all the activities that need to be completed on this project and lay them out in order from start to finish?
Limits Of ChatGPT For Construction
A key thing to remember is that while ChatGPT excels at broad topics and administrative tasks, it was not designed for the construction industry.
- Construction-specific: It lacks specific knowledge about both construction and how builders operate.
- Learning and memory: ChatGPT isn't guaranteed to learn from its chat history and corrections; it may introduce errors from past jobs into future work.
- Construction workflow: Construction projects are dynamic workflows full of dependencies and nuance.
Why You Need Construction-Specific AI Tools
The construction industry is now seeing the emergence of new AI tools that integrate directly with business workflows. These specialized tools handle specific parts of a project better than a generalist. Some areas where there are great construction AI construction software tools are:
AI construction estimating software
A strong AI estimating tool needs to speak the language of construction and understand how different types of builders work. A great AI construction estimator:
- Understands trades: You need a tool that knows the difference between a finish carpenter, a framer, and a general contractor.
- Timing and pricing: It must understand how material costs and labor rates vary in different locations and for various types of jobs.
- Business & style: The best AI estimator should learn how you write up estimates and gain knowledge over time to fit your style and pricing structure.
- Learns: You shouldn't have to provide the AI with context every time you start a new project; it should be able to remember past details and lessons.
AI construction scheduling software
While general AI can typically determine the correct sequence of tasks, specialized AI construction scheduling software takes it a step further by:
- Visualizing the Plan: A great AI construction scheduling tool understands how each piece of work depends on the others (dependencies) and can turn a simple list into a clear, visual, and shareable asset.
- Easy Updates: It should be able to update the same visual schedule instantly when new information is received, such as a weather delay or a change order.
AI change orders software
Things change over the course of a job; the key to managing them is having all the project's details on hand and working with tools that understand both the past and how changes to the plan will impact the rest of the project. The best AI construction management systems will:
- Have Context: AI change order management systems would allow a GC to make changes and updates without having to spell out every element of the project, every time. Making change orders easy.
- Update Automatically: It would retain the project's context, understand the intended sequence of events, and update automatically as new information arrived. Because it grasps the connections between the changes and the original plan, it could instantly adjust the budget and timeline.
Construction management tools beyond AI
Beyond just AI, many modern tools can significantly improve the life of a general contractor or builder. Tools that were once only accessible to large commercial firms are now at the fingertips of all builders, helping smaller companies stay competitive.
Companies like Beam provide more than just an AI Assistant to help with estimating, scheduling and change order management. But also integrates estimating, invoicing, and payments into one simple platform.
Platforms like CompanyCam help teams stay aligned and organized with photos and notes from the job site
Additionally, there are products designed specifically for individual tasks, such as Document Crunch, which is ideal for managing construction documents and legal matters.
