Estimatic AI

What is Estimatic AI?

Estimatic AI is an AI estimating feature built into Contractor+. It helps contractors generate construction estimates and proposals by using the estimating inputs they already rely on—specifically a cost book, live supplier pricing, and local labor rates—to produce a detailed bid draft quickly.

The core purpose is to speed up estimate creation while keeping the user in control. Estimatic generates an estimate draft, shows its work, and allows you to edit line items and approve the final output before sending or eSigning.

Key Features

• Uses your cost book for estimating outputs: Estimates are generated based on the cost data you reference for your usual quoting process.
• Pulls live supplier pricing: Pricing is sourced from real-time vendor pricing (listed examples include Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menards, Ace Hardware, Ferguson Home, and ABC Supply).
• Applies local labor rates: Labor is incorporated using local labor rates to align estimates with your area.
• Creates a detailed estimate draft from job context: You can describe the scope and provide additional materials such as photos, blueprints, drawings, or even a competing quote.
• Shows its work (not a black box): The estimate is presented in a way that lets you review the line items and supporting details.
• Supports saved templates and your usual format: The output can be generated to match your saved estimate templates, reducing reformatting and manual entry.
• Approvals and sending are handled inside the workflow: The flow described includes sending estimates and allowing eSign “without extra software.”

How to Use Estimatic AI

1. Start a new estimate in Contractor+ and tell Estimatic what you need quoted.
2. Add as much context as you want, such as uploading photos, blueprints, or drawings (and optionally a competing quote).
3. Generate the estimate draft: Estimatic builds a detailed bid using your cost book, live supplier pricing, and local labor rates.
4. Review and adjust: Edit margins or materials if needed, and override or update any line items.
5. Approve and send: Once approved, send the estimate from where you’re working, and use eSign as part of the sending process.

Use Cases

• Deck or remodeling quotes with material options: When quoting a job with specific materials (e.g., pressure-treated lumber with an optional upgrade such as composite boards), Estimatic can generate a bid draft that you can review and adjust.
• Estimating from plans and site photos: For projects where scope details are easier to see visually, you can upload blueprints and jobsite photos to help Estimatic interpret what’s needed.
• Fast turnaround for same-day proposals: If you need to respond quickly after an inspection or customer request, Estimatic is intended to reduce the time spent producing an initial bid draft.
• Reviewing and correcting material and line-item details: Because you can tweak and override any line item, you can address discrepancies in materials, margins, or other assumptions.
• Standardized estimate formatting across your team: By using saved templates and your cost book, the generated output is intended to resemble your usual estimate structure.

FAQ

How is Estimatic AI different from using ChatGPT or other generic AI tools?

Estimatic AI is designed to generate construction estimates using your cost book, live supplier pricing, and local labor rates. Generic AI tools may produce broader text responses, but Estimatic is positioned to produce client-ready bid line items that match how you quote.

Can I still control or edit the estimate before sending?

Yes. The workflow described includes reviewing the draft and editing line items, including margins and materials. You can also override details, with the estimate shown in a way that supports review (not a black box).

Can Estimatic AI use job photos and blueprints?

Yes. The page states you can upload jobsite photos, blueprints, and/or drawings when creating the estimate.

Will Estimatic match my usual estimate format?

Yes. You can use saved templates and upload your cost book so the output looks like your usual estimates without forcing a rigid layout.

What pricing and labor data does Estimatic use?

The page states Estimatic searches for real-time supplier pricing from vendors such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menards, Ace Hardware, Ferguson Home, and ABC Supply. It also uses a proprietary labor rate index based on over 500,000 approved estimates and official BLS data.

Alternatives

• General-purpose AI chat tools: Tools like chat assistants can help draft text, but they typically won’t pull from your cost book, live supplier pricing, and local labor rates in the same structured way for bid line items.
• Standalone estimating/spreadsheet tools: Traditional estimating software or spreadsheets can produce detailed bids, but they may require more manual data entry and upkeep of pricing/labor assumptions.
• Construction proposal management platforms: Some platforms focus on proposal creation and sending workflows; depending on the tool, they may not include an AI estimation step that references live pricing and your cost book.
• Other AI estimators that generate drafts from user prompts: Alternative AI estimating tools may generate drafts quickly, but the key differentiator highlighted here is the use of your cost book plus live vendor pricing and local labor rates.