Introduction
In an industry where manual precision and hard-earned expertise have long been the standard, a shift is happening. Increased project demand, along with labor constraints, has created a breaking point for many construction firms. This report explores how AI-powered estimating is transforming the preconstruction process, helping teams save time, increase bid capacity, and focus on high-value work.
Based on recent customer research, teams are experiencing measurable improvements in speed, capacity, and estimator satisfaction with Takeoff Boost™ in On-Screen Takeoff®.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Speed: Automated takeoff processes using Takeoff Boost are up to 95% faster than traditional manual methods.
- Capacity: Teams can submit 2-3 additional bids per month without increasing head count with the time saved.
- Sentiment: “Time Savings” was identified as the primary driver for 54% of survey respondents, indicating a market willingness to trade minor initial accuracy adjustments for massive efficiency gains.
The State of Preconstruction in 2026
The construction industry is navigating a challenging economic environment. While demand for new commercial projects is strong, many companies lack the staff or resources to bid on all available work. At the same time, profit margins are tightening, making it harder for businesses to succeed.
500K
5%
70%
The Challenge
In this environment, speed is no longer a luxury. It is a requirement for business survival. Traditional manual takeoff methods, such as clicking, counting, and tracing blueprints, limit how many jobs a team can bid. When estimators spend 80% of their time counting and measuring plans, there’s little time left for the strategic analysis that protects profit margins.
Our Approach
ConstructConnect® surveyed active users across trade contractor and general contractor sectors to understand how AI-assisted takeoff, specifically Takeoff Boost in On-Screen Takeoff, impacts their daily workflow and business growth. This report outlines those findings.
Methodology
The insights in this report are taken from a variety of sources including the 2025 Takeoff Boost Product-Market Fit Study, recent customer surveys from active On-Screen Takeoff users, customer testimonials, and detailed case studies. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded understanding of user feedback, focusing on sentiment analysis, quantifiable time savings, and how users would feel if they could no longer use Takeoff Boost.
Bridging the Efficiency Gap:
Manual vs. AI-Powered Takeoff
For decades, “digital takeoff” simply meant moving from paper plans to a computer screen. While this helped with organization, the fundamental takeoff task remained manual and repetitive. On complex commercial projects, this manual process can involve thousands of clicks. This repetitive process is not only slow but also introduces the risk of human error.
The Takeoff Boost Advantage
Takeoff Boost represents a paradigm shift from manual input to automated review. It’s designed to give estimators a head start, not replace their expertise. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and measure plans automatically, the tool drastically reduces the time required to generate a preliminary takeoff, allowing estimators to focus on what they do best: strategy, accuracy, and decision making. As one drywall estimator put it, “Takeoff Boost gives me about a two or three-hour head start on my takeoff.”
It’s a partnership between AI and human expertise, where the tool handles the grunt work, and the estimator stays in control. For those concerned about AI taking over jobs, Takeoff Boost is proof that technology can empower professionals rather than replace them.
Takeoff Boost can process up to 5 plan pages in just 30 seconds. Compared to manual methods, this process is up to 95% faster for standard elements such as walls, areas, and counts.
"I did 3 projects in 20 minutes with Takeoff Boost. That would have taken me a couple of days if I were doing them from scratch."
What Do Estimators Think of AI-Powered Takeoff?
To measure the true value of Takeoff Boost, we asked users how they would feel if they could no longer use the feature. Nearly 68% of survey users said they would be “very disappointed” or “somewhat disappointed” to lose access. This shows that the tool has become an essential part of the modern preconstruction workflow.
Why do users choose AI-powered takeoff solutions like Takeoff Boost?
Our data reveals a clear priority among estimators. While accuracy is always important, the main driver for adopting AI-assisted takeoff is efficiency.
the #1 reason why they value the tool.
The Operational Impact: Doing More with Less
For most construction firms, the biggest challenge isn’t a lack of work to bid on—it’s a lack of time to bid. By making the estimating process up to 95% faster, Takeoff Boost directly expands your team’s capacity.
This efficiency gain allows estimators to submit 2-3 additional bids every month without working longer hours or hiring more staff. In an industry with tight margins, bidding on more jobs allows you to be more selective, helping you increase profits and achieve your business goals.
Shifting Focus to Strategy
When repetitive counting is automated, the estimator’s role changes. Instead of spending hours measuring data, they can focus on analyzing it. This frees up estimators to concentrate on high-value tasks that win jobs and save money, such as:
- Determining which projects are worth bidding on
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Value engineering and sourcing alternative materials
- Subcontractor scope verification
Qualify Projects in Minutes, Not Hours
For general contractors, time is often the most valuable resource. Takeoff Boost enables GCs to quickly assess whether a project is worth pursuing before investing days of effort.
In just 30 seconds, Takeoff Boost can process five floors of architectural drawings, providing basic counts, wall types, linear footage, and square footage. This rapid analysis allows GCs to make fast “go / no-go” decisions, walking away from projects that aren’t a good fit and focusing their resources on more promising opportunities.
“Takeoff Boost lets us size up multi-floor interiors in under a minute and walk away from bad fits before burning days of estimating effort.”
Does AI Affect Estimating Accuracy?
Adopting AI in construction often requires a new way of thinking. While some estimators may be frustrated by any need for corrections, most recognize that AI is a powerful tool, even if it isn’t perfect.
The consensus is clear: users are willing to trade minor initial corrections for massive time savings. It is far faster to review and refine 20% of an AI-generated takeoff than it is to generate 100% of it from scratch.
Takeoff Boost is designed to get you 80% of the way to a final estimate. The estimator’s role evolves from “counter” to “reviewer.” It’s not just about reducing mouse clicks. It’s about reducing the mental load that comes with complex estimating tasks.
Customers often describe the cognitive load of interpreting architectural intent and second-guessing measurements as more taxing than the physical act of measuring. By automating 80% of the takeoff process, Takeoff Boost gives estimators the extra time they need to focus on mental tasks like risk assessment and reducing second-guessing.
ROI and Value: The Benefits of Takeoff Boost
In today’s market, not adopting AI-powered estimating tools comes at a cost. Every hour an estimator spends counting is an hour not spent on strategic work that drives growth.
The return on investment for Takeoff Boost is immediate. Winning just one additional job from the extra bid capacity often covers the software investment for an entire year.
Immediate ROI by the Numbers
Because Takeoff Boost is integrated directly into the On-Screen Takeoff interface you already know, there is no new software to learn. It’s simply a new button to click.
How Takeoff Boost Compares to Other AI-Powered Takeoff Tools
Takeoff Boost combines the industry’s original, most trusted digital takeoff solution—On-Screen Takeoff—with a modern AI engine that is built for estimators, not just generic image recognition. While other competitors’ tools claim to offer automation, they often fall short in how deeply their automation works and how well it fits into a complete estimating process.
As part of the ConstructConnect ecosystem, Takeoff Boost connects seamlessly with project data, estimating, and reporting. This allows you to move from finding projects to creating detailed bids without re-entering data. No other provider combines advanced takeoff tools, purpose-built AI, and deep preconstruction integrations into one reliable platform.
Takeoff Boost combines the industry’s original, most trusted digital takeoff solution—On-Screen Takeoff—with a modern AI engine that is built for estimators, not just generic image recognition. While other competitors’ tools claim to offer automation, they often fall short in how deeply their automation works and how well it fits into a complete estimating process.
As part of the ConstructConnect ecosystem, Takeoff Boost connects seamlessly with project data, estimating, and reporting. This allows you to move from finding projects to creating detailed bids without re-entering data. No other provider combines advanced takeoff tools, purpose-built AI, and deep preconstruction integrations into one reliable platform.
Explore How Takeoff Boost Compares to Other Takeoff Tools
Customer Success: KBM Commercial Floor Coverings
For KBM Commercial Floor Coverings, speed makes all the difference. Adopting On-Screen Takeoff with Takeoff Boost transformed their workflow from a mix of highlighters and manual tools to a single, streamlined platform.
How Takeoff Boost makes a difference for KBM Commercial Floor Coverings:
From 30 Minutes to 30 Seconds: KBM now generates quantities in seconds, not hours.
Faster Supplier Conversations: With numbers ready almost instantly, the sales team can secure pricing earlier.
A Personal Assistant: Estimators can focus on high-value tasks like reading specifications and strategic planning.
Competitive Advantage: Faster takeoffs mean KBM can outpace competitors and capture more market share.
Conclusion: Build with Confidence and Speed
Choosing Takeoff Boost means giving your team the power to move faster, deliver accurate estimates, and win more work without sacrificing quality or control. With Takeoff Boost, estimators reclaim valuable hours to focus on strategy, value engineering, and building stronger client relationships.
The research shows that with Takeoff Boost, users report that projects are bid on with greater confidence, teams become more productive, and capacity expands without adding headcount or complexity to your current workflow.
Experience a solution you can trust day in and day out, designed to help you secure more wins, increase business profitability, and grow your business in a demanding market. With Takeoff Boost, you’re not just saving time—you’re creating new opportunities for your team and your business.