Can AI do a construction takeoff?

Yes, with your estimator in the loop. Athena reviews the drawings and specs and has your AI produce the takeoff, with the drawing sheet and spec section on every line. She flags the lines your estimator should verify before the numbers are used.

What is a gap analysis in estimating?

It's a list of what the bid documents don't settle: missing dimensions, scope between trades and items that depend on information outside the bid set. Athena sorts each gap as hard, soft or can't-know, cites the sheet and spec section, and asks the question that settles it.

Does Athena replace my estimator?

No. Athena does the reading, organizing and cross-checking, and your estimator makes the calls. She flags what to verify and double-checks the estimate before it goes out.

Which plan includes estimating?

Estimating is live in Athena Office, $397/mo with 5 seats included and a 7-day free trial. Contractor Circle ($497/mo) includes everything in Athena Office.

AI Construction Estimating: Takeoffs and Gap Analysis

Athena reviews your drawings and specs the way a seasoned estimator would. She has your AI produce the takeoff and a gap analysis that cites the sheet and spec section behind every line, flags what your estimator should verify, and double-checks the estimate before it goes out.

She reads the drawings and specs first

Athena works through the bid set the way a seasoned estimator does: drawings, details, schedules and the spec sections that govern each scope. Every quantity she directs traces back to a sheet and a spec section, so your estimator can check it in seconds.

Example foundations takeoff table: each line with item, unit, quantity, basis, method and the drawing sheet or detail it comes from — Example A takeoff table your AI produces, with the drawing and spec reference on every line. Example data.

A gap analysis that cites the sheets and specs

The expensive misses on a bid are the things the documents don't settle. Athena has your AI build a gap analysis that sorts them out:

Hard gaps: items you can't price without an answer, like a dimension missing from a schedule.
Soft gaps: risk and coordination items, like scope that sits between two trades.
Can't know from these documents: items that depend on a report or a selection that isn't in the bid set.

Each item cites the sheet and spec section, says why it matters, and asks the question that settles it. Athena drafts the RFI for you to review.

Example estimate analysis for a foundations package: hard gaps, soft gaps and items that cannot be known from the documents, each citing drawing sheets and spec sections, with a punch list — Example A gap analysis with every item tied to a sheet and spec section, plus the punch list. Example data.

Flagged for your estimator to verify

Athena doesn't replace your estimator. She flags every line your estimator should verify before the number is used, and keeps track of what's been checked, what changed and what's still open.

Example estimator review loop: each flagged item with a follow-up question, marked relevant, not relevant or good catch by the estimator — Example The estimator review loop: every flag gets a follow-up, and your estimator marks what matters. Example data.

A double-check before it goes out

Before the estimate leaves the office, Athena checks it against the takeoff, the open gaps and the items not yet in the estimate, so nothing slips through. Your estimator sets the rates, your AI builds the summary, and you decide what gets sent. Athena drafts the email for you to send.

Example estimate summary by system and cost type, with settled quantities, rates left for your estimator, and items not yet in the estimate — Example The estimate summary: settled quantities by system, your rates, and what is not in the estimate yet. Example data.

Works in the AI you already use

Athena Estimating runs inside Grok Bot, ChatGPT (including Codex), Claude and Claude Code. It's included in Athena Office ($397/mo, 5 seats included, 7-day free trial). See plans.

AI construction estimating: takeoffs and gap analysis

She reads the drawings and specs first

A gap analysis that cites the sheets and specs

Flagged for your estimator to verify

A double-check before it goes out

Works in the AI you already use

Frequently asked questions