Automate Your Concrete Takeoffs with Beam AI

Imagine staring at blueprints, endlessly clicking and dragging on on-screen takeoff software to measure concrete quantities. Each click laboriously adds up to the measurement of a section of concrete. This tedious process is the reality for many contractors handling concrete takeoffs. As bid submission deadlines loom, contractors often struggle to meet these timelines due to the limitations of manual takeoff software.

But what if there were a better way—one that automated the entire concrete takeoff process? Enter Beam AI, a cloud-based software powered by artificial intelligence, revolutionizing the takeoff process for good! This blog post explores the innovative features of Beam AI and how it empowers concrete contractors to automate the takeoff process, helping them win more bids.

We'll delve into why Beam AI is a smart investment compared to manual on-screen takeoff software. Here’s how Beam AI streamlines concrete takeoffs and offers exceptional value to concrete contractors.

Set up Takeoffs in Just 3 Clicks 

One of the best things about Beam AI is its simplicity. Unlike popular manual software, you don’t have to spend hours clicking and dragging features on the screen or undergoing complex software training. Beam AI's intuitive interface allows you to set up takeoffs in just three simple clicks.

Here's how it works: start by uploading your plans, then define the scope of work (e.g., remove all footings, slabs, walls, etc.), and finally, click "Proceed." That's it! The whole process takes only two minutes.

All you need are your project plans, specs, and any additional details you can input into the scope of work. This way, estimators can focus on refining estimates and coordinating with suppliers, rather than wasting hours drawing polygons on manual takeoff software. Beam AI transforms a time-consuming task into a quick and efficient process, freeing up valuable time for more critical activities.

Automated Concrete & Rebar Calculation

A standout feature of Beam AI is its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically identify various concrete elements required for a project, such as slabs, foundations, beams, and columns. This means you don't have to manually identify these elements yourself. Additionally, Beam AI provides detailed insights by using different colors to represent the type of concrete elements taken off, making it easy for users to analyze the data.

This automation allows estimators to:

1. Focus on higher-value activities such as refining estimates, value engineering, and client communication.
2. Increase bid turnaround time and handle more projects simultaneously, as the AI can perform multiple takeoffs in parallel without needing additional resources.
3. Save time on takeoffs, as estimators only need to review the work done by the AI.

Beam AI not only streamlines the takeoff process but also enhances productivity and efficiency, allowing estimators to focus on what truly matters.

‍

Process Multiple Takeoffs in Parallel 

Managing multiple projects efficiently is crucial for maximizing productivity and meeting client deadlines, and Beam AI provides the tools necessary to achieve this. With Beam AI, estimators can process multiple takeoffs in parallel, streamlining their workflow and enhancing productivity.

You can monitor the progress of each ongoing takeoff in real time, seeing which takeoffs are pending, in progress, or complete. This real-time tracking ensures you stay ahead of deadlines and manage your workload effectively. Additionally, you can adjust the priority order of processing takeoffs based on your requirements, giving you the flexibility to respond to urgent projects promptly. Beam AI empowers you to stay organized, meet deadlines, and maximize productivity.

Resubmit Functionality (Addendums)

Addendums are a common part of the project process, and as project plans evolve, so do the takeoffs. Beam AI understands this and simplifies handling addendums with its "Resubmit Takeoff" feature, which auto-detects changes and allows users to resubmit the takeoff in three ways, as shown in the image below.

Additionally, users can identify the exact quantities of the addendum changes by exporting the takeoff to Excel. The Excel export includes two new columns: "Value in the Last Version" and "Changes Since the Last Version," helping users quickly pinpoint material quantity changes in the addendums. Beam AI ensures that managing addendums is efficient and straightforward, keeping your project on track.

Takeoff Library

Concrete contractors constantly juggle multiple projects, making efficient organization essential. The "Takeoff Library" in Beam AI serves as a digital filing cabinet, centralizing all completed concrete takeoffs in one easily accessible location. With this feature, you can quickly retrieve any previous takeoff, review its details, and leverage valuable data for future projects, eliminating wasted time searching and ensuring you have comprehensive project histories readily available.

Additionally, all members of your precon team can access and edit the takeoffs, enabling seamless collaboration, especially on large jobs. This streamlined approach enhances productivity and ensures everyone stays on the same page.

Export Takeoffs

Collaboration between different teams is pivotal for the success of any project, and Beam AI understands the importance of seamless collaboration in construction. The software allows users to export takeoffs in four different ways, as illustrated below:

1. Share Link - Share your takeoff with external parties through a secure, cloud-based view-only link. This fosters collaboration with subcontractors, general contractors, and other stakeholders, allowing everyone to access and review the information in real time. It eliminates communication gaps and ensures everyone is on the same page throughout the project lifecycle.
2. PDF Report - Make a lasting impression during the bidding process with a polished PDF report. Beam AI generates reports that superimpose takeoff annotations directly onto your original plans, providing clarity to project owners and other stakeholders. This showcases your meticulous attention to detail and professionalism.
3. Excel File - Streamline your workflow by exporting your takeoff quantities directly to an Excel file. This allows estimators to easily build their estimates based on the takeoff data and import this Excel file into their estimating software.
4. Screenshot - Need to share a takeoff with a colleague or client for quick reference? Beam AI allows you to capture a screenshot of the takeoff. This is perfect for highlighting elements or sharing preliminary takeoff information during project discussions.

Beam AI ensures that collaboration is efficient and effective, enhancing productivity and communication across all project teams.

Share takeoff access with your team members

Traditionally, concrete takeoff data has been confined to manual takeoff software or static spreadsheets, which can only be shared with stakeholders by uploading them to a drive or printing them. Beam AI transforms this process with its cloud-based system, allowing you and your colleagues to work on the same takeoff simultaneously. 

This means faster communication and increased transparency, as multiple team members involved in the project can view and edit the takeoffs in real time. This real-time collaboration reduces communication gaps and enables multiple estimators to review the AI-generated takeoffs simultaneously, ensuring everyone is on the same page and enhancing overall efficiency.

Tagging Feature

Large projects often require dividing plans into zones or phases for better organization, necessitating that different teams work on different zones for takeoffs. Beam AI addresses this with its tagging feature, allowing users to break down the takeoff into zones or any other custom categories. 

Users can create an unlimited number of custom categories and assign quantities to specific zones, ensuring better organization and more efficient collaboration. This flexibility allows teams to manage large projects effectively, making it easier to track progress and coordinate efforts across different sections of the project.

Editing Toolbar

The editing toolbar allows estimators to make precise adjustments to the AI-generated takeoffs. Users can utilize various tools, such as Edit, Add Feature, Rotate, Split, Cut Hole, and more, to customize the takeoff to meet their specific needs. These features provide the flexibility to tailor the takeoff accurately to the project's requirements, enhancing the accuracy and usefulness of the takeoff data.

The Takeaway

Estimators dedicate 40-50% of their bidding cycle time to takeoffs, a crucial yet time-consuming process that affects overall efficiency and forms the foundation of accurate estimates in the pre-construction phase. Beam AI offers a transformative solution for managing concrete takeoffs.

Leveraging advanced AI technology and intuitive features, Beam AI enables a smarter, faster approach to generating accurate takeoffs. By switching to Beam AI, you can reduce takeoff time by 90%, increase the number of estimates sent out by up to 30%, and win more projects. Ready to automate takeoffs with AI? Book a personalized demo today to discover how Beam AI can enhance your pre-construction process.