Canadian Concrete Expo 2025 Recap

Canadian Concrete Expo 2025 Recap: Estimators Are Facing These 3 Big Challenges

Contractors are always in the race to win projects, but as spring and summer approach, the pressure is on. Phones are ringing, bid requests are piling up, and estimating teams are stretched to their limits as they struggle with manual takeoffs that delay bid submission. 

This was the hot topic at the Canadian Concrete Expo (CCE) 2025. While the show floor buzzed with cutting-edge equipment and high-tech materials, contractors and estimators searched for ways to speed up estimating and keep up with high demand.

"We want to bid on more jobs, but we just don't have the bandwidth."

"Hiring skilled estimators has been next to impossible."

"We need a way to move faster - without sacrificing accuracy."

These weren't just passing comments. They were the pain points we heard over and over again.

Our team spent two days speaking with industry professionals, digging into their biggest challenges, and showing them how Beam AI’s completely automated takeoff software is already helping 200 + contractors bid more competitively.

Here are the three biggest insights from CCE 2025! 

Top 3 Insights from Canadian Concrete Expo

1. Bid Season is in Full Swing - And Estimators Are Feeling the Pressure

Step onto the show floor, and you can feel the industry's momentum in motion. Contractors were excited about filling their spring and summer project pipelines, eager to secure bids and lock in their schedules.

But for many, the rush to submit competitive bids comes with these significant challenges:

• Turnaround times from takeoffs to estimates is too long. 
• Ongoing hiring challenges in estimating departments are impacting business.
• Lack of time for strategic tasks like refining estimates, coordinating with vendors, or value engineering.

We heard it time and again: "We just don't have the manpower to keep up." Many companies are running lean teams, struggling to hire estimators, and racing against bid deadlines. The result? Either missed opportunities or hastily created estimates that lead to lost profits down the line.

2. The Estimator Shortage is Real - And It's Not Going Away Anytime Soon

Among all the conversations we had, one issue came up again and again: There simply aren't enough estimators.

Many companies told us they were struggling to find, train, and retain skilled estimating professionals. Some have senior estimators nearing retirement with no clear plan for replacing them. Others hesitate to take on more bids because they simply don't have the workforce to handle the workload.

The impact?

• Slower bid turnaround times.
• Missed project opportunities.
• Increased stress on existing teams.

This is a direct threat to profitability. If contractors can't submit competitive bids quickly, they're leaving millions in potential revenue on the table.

3. Estimators Are Stuck With Traditional Takeoff Tools - And It's Slowing Everything Down

It's no surprise that job-site technology has seen massive advancements in recent years. Robotic rebar tying machines, high-tech concrete mixers, and AI-powered project management tools were everywhere at CCE 2025.

But when it comes to estimating?

• Many teams are still using outdated on-screen takeoff tools that slow them down.
• Manually measuring and verifying quantities for too long.
• Errors and inefficiencies creep in because the process isn't automated.
  

The reality is, estimators are using decades-old tools while the rest of the industry is modernizing at full speed. If everything on-site is moving faster, why is estimating still stuck in the past?

Many contractors admitted that their current tools aren't helping them win more bids - they're just adding more work to an already overloaded team. This inefficiency is costing companies valuable time, lost bids, and unnecessary overhead.

What This Means for the Industry

From our conversations at CCE 2025, one thing became clear: contractors and estimators are facing major challenges that can't be ignored any longer.

The Three Biggest Takeaways:

• Speed matters more than ever. Contractors are constantly bidding to fill their project schedules, especially in the current bid season as they prepare for the busy spring and summer operational months. Faster estimating processes = more opportunities won.
  
  
• The estimator shortage is a long-term problem. With no immediate solution for hiring more skilled estimators, teams must find ways to be more efficient with their existing resources.
  
  
• Preconstruction workflows need the same innovation as job sites. While job-site automation has surged, many estimating teams are stuck using outdated tools that slow them down. It's time for estimating and bidding processes to catch up.

The Future of Estimating is Here - Are You Ready?

As we packed up our booth and reflected on our time at the Canadian Concrete Expo 2025, one thing became crystal clear: The construction industry is ready for AI.

The response to Beam AI was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees eager to explore how AI-driven takeoff and estimating can help them stay ahead in a highly competitive bidding landscape.

For those who couldn't attend the expo, we'd love to show you how Beam AI's takeoff software can help.

Book a personalized demo today to discover how Beam AI can revolutionize your takeoff process, boost your efficiency, and help you win more work.