AI-based general contractor takeoff software for estimators
Manual takeoffs slow down your bid prep & cost you projects
Beam AI is an AI-based general contractor takeoff software that fully automates your takeoff process, saving you 90% time as you bid on 2X more projects, without extra hires.
Trusted by top General Contractors bid competitively







How our fully automated general contractor takeoff software works
Generate takeoffs in 4 simple steps
Upload plans in PDF format
Drop your construction drawings, architectural, structural, sitework, civil, and MEP plans. Beam AI supports PDF-based general contractor takeoffs for all scopes.

Confirm scope of work for your project takeoff
Beam AI pre-aligns scope based on the trades applicable to your project. Whether you’re covering multiple trades or specific packages, just check to confirm.
Add clarifying notes, exceptions, or specific client requirements in the “Project-Specific Deviations” field.

AI does the quantity takeoff for you
Beam AI automatically calculates material quantities across trades,, no manual tracing needed.

Get QA-reviewed takeoffs
Every contractor takeoff is reviewed by our Quality Assurance team and delivered within 24–72 hours. You also get an Excel general contractor takeoff file along with a PDF and a view-only shareable link.


What’s limiting general contractor estimators from bidding more jobs?
Manual takeoffs consume most of your estimating bandwidth:

Bid preparation is slow and reactive
Manual takeoffs take up over 50% of the bid cycle, delaying RFQ responses & bid submissions. You end up missing opportunities to pursue more bids & scale revenue.

Limited subcontractor and vendor coordination
Estimators spend more time tracing drawings than getting better quotes or managing relationships and making room for bid strategy or value engineering, leading to fewer competitive quotes.
Future-ready AI-based takeoff software for general contractors
Get 15–20 hours back per week to focus on delivering more value to your clients
Save 90% of time on takeoffs
Beam AI automates general contractor takeoffs, from structural and sitework to multi-trade quantities, eliminating repetitive manual tasks.
Bid 2X more projects without expanding your team
With AI doing the takeoff work, GCs can double bid output, focus on pricing strategy, subcontractor engagement, and value engineering, and unlock more growth.
See what our customers have to say
"From saving time on takeoffs to boosting bid capacity, hear from leading GCs firsthand how we’re helping them succeed.
We’re saving a week’s worth of time on takeoffs and recording 1.5x business growth after switching to Beam AI."
Roy Cabrera
Estimator | Pilkington Construction Co.
Read Success Story“We were spending the majority of our time just doing manual takeoffs. Now we’re saving over 20 hours a week with Beam AI. Honestly, we’re handling more bids without growing the team.”
Adam Bradford
DJX Construction
Read Success Story"Before Beam AI, manual takeoffs took up too much time. Now, we’re sending up to 5 bids a week, have taken on larger projects, and even repurposed an estimator to focus on inventory and purchasing."
Dylan Kaminski
Business Development Manager| Tactical Construction Inc.
Read Success Story"I would absolutely recommend Beam AI. The accuracy is spot on, and the time savings are significant. It's been a game-changer for us, truly a beneficial tool for any estimating team."
Emma Peters
Sr. Preconstruction Manager| Blach Construction
Read Success Story"With Beam AI, we are able to pursue more bids and dedicate more time to managing and supervising projects."
Hunter Foley
Masonry Operations and Sales| Caliber LLC
Read Success StoryResource library built for GCs
Check out our latest blogs, datasheets, eBooks, webinars, and reports to discover how leading general contracting firms are turning to AI to drive better results.
Blog
General Contractor: Key Responsibilities, Skills, and Their Critical Role in Construction Projects
Explore what makes a great GC, their key responsibilities at each stage of the project, and how their expertise contributes to the success of any project.
Read BlogBlog
What is bid leveling?
Discover why bid leveling is essential for keeping construction projects on time, on budget, and free from costly surprises.
Read BlogBlog
Estimators Are Becoming Strategic Advisors. AI Is Making It Possible
Understand how AI is reshaping the role of an estimator in the construction industry, enabling them to do more than just count quantities.
Read BlogFAQs
What is general contractor takeoff software?

General contractor takeoff software is a digital tool designed to streamline the estimation process for construction projects. Based on project plans and specifications, it automates the calculation of material quantities, such as concrete, rebar, utilities, steel, flooring, roofing, and finishes. This construction takeoff software helps general contractors save time, reduce errors, and create accurate estimates for competitive bidding. With the right takeoff software, contractors can ensure more precise and efficient project planning. Features of AI-based automated takeoff software make it easy to extract data from blueprints, improving accuracy and saving time. Plan takeoff software also allows for quick adjustments, enabling contractors to adapt to changing project requirements effectively.
Which is the best general contractor takeoff software?

Beam AI is the leading choice among contractor takeoff software. With its AI-based automation, Beam AI does complete quantity takeoff for you and drastically reduces the time spent on manual takeoffs while guaranteeing ±1% of your in-house takeoff accuracy. It delivers trade-specific quantities tailored to your needs. As the best general contractor software, its user-friendly interface and seamless collaboration features make it the preferred solution for general contractors looking to bid smarter and win more jobs.
Can I try out the Beam AI material takeoff software for free?

Absolutely! You can experience Beam AI firsthand by booking a demo with one of our product experts.
What does the pricing structure look like?

Beam AI operates on an annual subscription model tailored to fit your project’s needs. You’ll receive credits in the form of workable sheets, which can be used for your takeoffs throughout the subscription period. Check out the pricing page for full details.
How does an AI-based general contractor takeoff software work?

Beam AI automates the entire takeoff process, saving you from manually tracing plans or calculating material quantities.
- Upload your project plans to the platform
- Define the scope of work for your project
- Handles addenda automaticallyProcesses multiple takeoffs at once to double your bid capacity
The blueprint takeoff software reads plans, elevations, and specs to generate precise takeoffs. Each AI-generated takeoff undergoes a Quality Assurance step, where it is reviewed to ensure accuracy and alignment with your specified scope. This ensures reliable results every time.
Why do general contractors rely on Beam AI takeoff software?

Manual takeoffs are a time sink that limits your ability to bid competitively. Beam AI offers:
- Fully automated general contractor takeoff workflows
- Faster, more accurate estimates
- The ability to bid on more projects and win more work
How to choose the right software for general contractors?

Choosing the right software for general contractors starts with understanding your team’s workflow and pain points. Look for solutions that streamline takeoffs, estimating, and bidding, while enabling collaboration across trades. For example, Beam AI automates takeoffs for HVAC, MEP, concrete, steel, roofing, and more-helping GCs save time, reduce errors, and reclaim up to 90% of takeoff hours. The right general contractors software should let your team focus on winning projects and managing work, not just crunching numbers.
What are the best features to look for in general contractor software?

The most valuable features in general contractor software include:
- Automated takeoffs that cover multiple trades, including concrete, HVAC, MEP, and steel.
- Built-in quality assurance (QA) to catch errors before they affect bids.
- Cloud-based collaboration, enabling teams to work together from anywhere.
- Fast and accurate estimating tools to streamline bidding and increase capacity.Platforms like Beam AI combine these features to help GCs and subcontractors double their bid output while cutting takeoff time drastically.
How do you choose the best general contractor software?

Start by identifying your most time-consuming tasks-material takeoffs, bid preparation, or cost tracking. Evaluate software that fully automates these processes across trades, offers quality checks, and supports team collaboration.
What is the difference between a contractor and a general contractor (GC)?

A general contractor oversees an entire construction project, coordinating multiple subcontractors, managing budgets, and keeping schedules on track. Contractors, or subcontractors, usually focus on a specific trade, such as electrical, plumbing, or concrete. Using general contractors software like Beam AI helps GCs coordinate all trades efficiently, automate takeoffs, and make data-driven decisions across divisions.
What types of general contractors use Beam AI?

Beam AI serves a wide range of general contractors, including residential, commercial, and industrial GCs. It’s especially valuable for concrete contractors and those managing multiple trades like HVAC, MEP, utilities, steel, and roofing. Any GC looking to save takeoff time, increase bid capacity, and reduce manual errors can benefit from Beam AI’s automated, cloud-based platform.
What is AI for general contractors?

AI for general contractors uses smart software to automate complex tasks such as material takeoffs, estimating, and bidding. Tools like Beam AI analyze project plans across multiple trades, generate accurate material counts, and offer QA and collaboration features. This lets GCs focus on team coordination, supplier relationships, and project strategy, boosting efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
What is software for a general contractor?

Software for a general contractor is a digital tool designed to manage every stage of a project-from estimating and takeoffs to scheduling, budgeting, and team collaboration. Beam AI is an example of general contractors software that automates material takeoffs for trades like concrete, MEP, and roofing, helping contractors reclaim time, reduce errors, and increase bid capacity while keeping projects on track.