The rise of AI in construction: What it really means for Estimators and QS’s
Introduction
AI is one of those topics that can feel both exciting and intimidating, especially in the construction industry. As a quantity surveyor, estimator and Mum of two, I am very familiar with juggling priorities. Time is precious. Commercial risk is real, and anything that promises to make our working lives more efficient and improve our work life balance, is always going to get my attention.
So let’s clear something up straight away. AI is not replacing estimators or quantity surveyors. It is simply amplifying what we are already good at.
What AI is actually doing in Construction
AI is already quietly reshaping the way commercial teams operate. We are seeing real, practical benefits in areas such as;
● Analysing project performance
● Benchmarking costs more accurately
● Forecasting commercial and delivery risk
● Extracting and structuring large volumes of data
● Reducing admin and repetitive tasks
● Supporting evidence based decision making
This is not about removing people from the process. It is about removing friction. When used properly, AI frees up time. Time that can be reinvested into higher value work such as strategy, negotiation and problem solving. The parts of the role that genuinely require experience and judgement.
Why systems matter more than ever
Here is the key thing that often gets missed. AI is only as good as the data it is fed.Strong insights come from strong data. Strong data comes from structured commercial workflows. This is where systems like Chalkstring, combined with AI tools, create real opportunities for contractors.
When estimating, cost control, CVR and variations are structured properly, AI can surface trends, risks and opportunities far faster than any spreadsheet ever could.But without structure, AI simply magnifies the mess.
What AI cannot replace
There are elements of commercial management that technology cannot replicate, including;
● Professional judgement
● Industry experience
● Commercial intuition
● Negotiation skills
● Buildability knowledge
● Contextual decision making
These skills are developed over years on live projects, not programmed into software.What AI can do is support those skills by providing better information sooner, allowing decisions to be informed rather than reactive.
How we use AI at QTY Surveyors
At QTY, AI now plays a key role across several areas of the business, including;
● SOP development and refinement
● Commercial workflow analysis
● Forecasting and performance support
● Business development strategy
● Data driven decision making
Used correctly, AI enhances the quality of our output while allowing more flexibility in how and when we work, which as a working mum, matters hugely to me.
AI is not the future, it’s the present.
The businesses that will thrive over the coming years will not be the ones resisting change. They will be the ones who embrace AI thoughtfully, integrate it into strong commercial systems and continue to invest in skilled people. AI does not weaken commercial teams. It strengthens them.
If you would like to explore how AI could support your estimating or commercial function in a practical, grounded way, I am always happy to chat.