Construction automation is both friend and foe to a construction workforce. While it threatens to eliminate traditional physical tasks, it also provides an opportunity for construction workers to pursue new career paths and become more technologically literate.
Cost estimating and bidding is a critical construction process that requires accuracy and precision. Construction estimating automation software simplifies calculations and reduces the risk of errors, helping builders ensure accurate project estimates.
1. Time Savings
Using a purpose-built or integrated construction estimating solution can eliminate time-consuming tasks that often get overlooked. These tedious tasks, like performing manual 2D takeoffs and 3D quantity measurements, can be automated with the help of a specialized software program. This automation allows estimators and project managers to spend more time on value-generating activities.
For example, a company may use automated quoting tools to generate price quotes for leads in a fraction of the time it takes a person to do so manually. These types of programs also allow for more accurate and consistent data and can integrate with existing budgeting systems to prevent duplicate information.
The same type of automation can be used to perform other repetitive or time-consuming tasks, like calculating costs and quantities for large projects. For instance, a virtual reality system can scan an entire building and automatically identify all the different elements and materials needed. This can save a lot of time for builders and help them reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
Another way that companies can save time is by using a cloud-based software to perform 3D digital takeoffs and estimate the scope of work for their projects. These solutions can be used to generate a cost estimate in just a few clicks and can be integrated with other software tools to streamline the workflow.
2. Increased Accuracy
Construction automation can provide greater accuracy in cost estimating than manual processes. For example, automated takeoff software can save time and effort by eliminating manual calculations and reducing human error. This type of software allows estimators to import digital plans and quickly measure quantities, which can significantly reduce the turnaround time for bids.
Furthermore, automated estimating tools can be used to validate task-by-task and bottom-up estimates. These tools can also step estimators through a risk assessment and adjust estimates accordingly. These tools can help construction firms improve their quality of estimate, which will lead to better pricing and increase their chances of winning tenders.
Automated estimating tools can also generate quotes faster than humans, and they can make more accurate estimates. These systems can also collect email addresses to send price quotes to potential customers, which can help increase sales conversion rates by up to 300%.
Additionally, construction automation can improve collaboration and communication across different departments. For example, construction estimating automation can help architects spend more time on creative tasks and less on administrative duties. It can also help construction managers focus on value-generating activities such as scoping and pricing, which can increase efficiency and profitability. In addition, it can help construction teams collaborate more effectively by allowing them to access the same data and workflows.
3. Increased Productivity
Construction automation software allows contractors to work faster and more accurately. It also saves time on tasks that can be repetitive or tedious, such as performing quantity takeoffs or drafting cost estimates. This frees up workers to focus on value-generating activities that can improve profitability.
Automation can also be a valuable tool for reducing the duration of a project. For example, automated estimating software can generate quotes in a fraction of the time it would take a human. It can also reduce the risk of errors by preventing humans from overestimating materials or misinterpreting scanned images.
A common fear associated with automation is that it will eliminate jobs. However, the opposite is more likely to happen. It’s expected that automation will increase productivity and enable wages to rise for those who are highly skilled in tasks like creating masonry or inputting instructions into the systems that will run the robots that drill holes.
Investing in automation software that integrates with project management tools can further increase efficiency by allowing for seamless data flow between the two. For example, Gantt charts and critical path analysis reports can be created using the same system that was used to create an estimate, resulting in more accurate timelines and decreased risk of project delays. This helps ensure that projects stay on track and within budget, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of clients and subcontractors.
4. Increased Efficiency
Construction estimating is a labor-intensive process, which can take up to 80% of a builder’s time. Manual and even digitized spreadsheet programs are often prone to error and inaccuracies that lead to costly budget overruns and delays.
Automation eliminates these errors and streamlines the entire estimation process, saving valuable time that can be better spent on other aspects of the project. In addition, leveraging the latest automation software can help reduce costs by optimizing resource allocation and providing real-time insight into the project’s financial status.
By automating the most repetitive and tedious tasks, construction companies can unblock their employees’ workflows and allow them to focus on critical thinking assignments. This can improve overall job satisfaction for their workforce and ensure that their human resources are working on higher-value work that has an impact on bottom lines.
Despite fears that automation will replace human jobs, it’s important to note that the technology only automates processes that require repetitive and predictable tasks. It does not replace or eliminate human jobs in the construction industry and actually provides many opportunities for workers to learn new skills that can be applied to other areas of the business. This enables them to explore their creativity and remain relevant in the future. Moreover, automation helps companies achieve greater profitability by eliminating expensive errors and streamlining the bidding process.