Changing the Game: How AI-generated Quotes Are Impacting Estimates

By

Shauna Hurley

and Adrian Brown

Last Updated May 27, 2026

By

Shauna Hurley

and Adrian Brown

AI holds real promise for construction. But on the ground, it is already changing one of the most critical parts of the business: How projects are priced.

As tools like ChatGPT are used to generate polished, detailed proposals against drawings and specs, builders are increasingly dealing with submissions that look right on paper but often don’t reflect the real scope, price or level of expertise behind them.

When the market opens up to everyone

Digital procurement platforms have transformed how subcontractor pricing works in construction. In principle, they create efficiency. A single portal where subcontractors can see a project and submit a price, and where builders can compare quotes quickly.

In practice, they have opened the market to anyone who wants to participate, regardless of experience, track record -- or whether their price reflects reality.

It opens up most projects to any subcontractor from anywhere who wants to have a look and lob a price in. And if a brand new startup wants to make an entrance, they can lob in a price they know is a bit cheap, and every builder will see that price.

Adrian Brown

Founding Director

Jointly

The challenge is not a lack of data. It is that some of that data was never reliable to begin with.

That does not mean every new or unknown subcontractor is unprofessional. The issue is that many are simply untested, and difficult to properly assess within the timeframes of a tender.

AI-generated proposals and an uneven playing field

The proposal looks right. The price is not. And that mismatch is not always visible until after the contract is signed.

When pricing stops reflecting reality

When you’re a hard-money tender builder like us, you live and die by your price. When it comes to tendering now we’ve all got the same data and a lot of it is cheap data with cheap prices.

Are you -- as my competitor -- going to put the cheap data in your price knowing that’s wrong, or am I? I’ll play the straight bat. I’m going to delete all the prices I know aren’t the real deal and put in the prices I know are. But my price is now half a million dollars more than my competitor.

As a prospective client you might think we’re a great business — you’ve read about us, seen us online, we’ve done your last four projects. But we go out to tender for the fifth and we’re half a million dollars more expensive because we’ve priced it differently.

Now chances are you’d say, 'I like you a lot Adrian, but I don’t like you that much.'

This is particularly the case with any client that has strict procurement guidelines. We’re given scores for health and safety, everyone’s got those scores and they are heavily weighted. However, it’s always combined with a focus on cost.

Adrian Brown

Founding Director

Jointly

A builder who prices correctly, based on real numbers from trusted subcontractors, can find themselves on the wrong side of this equation. The problem is compounded by the fact that the people doing the estimating don’t always have the experience to spot an incorrect price before it’s too late.

“The market is layered with at times inexperienced people using technology platforms to present as sophisticated," Adrian says. "You’ve only got to make one or two bad mistakes with someone who wasn’t at their best, and they could bury you.”

One example of Jointly’s return business: Ten  years ago Be BlueRock Foundation engaged Jointly to help design and construct their new office at 414 LaTrobe st…. 250+ projects later they outgrew the tenancy and Jointly are back de-fitting the three level buildings. See more of the project [Instagram].

Navigating estimating in the age of AI: What builders can do now

Jointly’s response is to be deliberate about where and how it competes as AI evolves across the industry.

It’s early days for AI and estimating. The greatest point of difference we can actually have is a group of subcontractors that are not playing that game of racing to the bottom.

Our contractors are unique to us. They know us backwards, understand our platforms and know we’ll pay them on time and give them repeat work.

That will always remain a constant. We like to play in places where there are strong requirements around accreditation, safety and insurances. You just can’t get there overnight, it takes years to build them up. But we like that space. We’re playing with known businesses, at decent quantities, in a decent sort of game.

We have the people and tools to deliver for our clients, and for us, that’s what continues to matter most.

Adrian Brown

Founding Director

Jointly

For builders, the shift in estimating isn’t just about new tools. It’s about how pricing inputs are assessed and managed.

Not all quotes are equal. A detailed proposal doesn’t guarantee a complete scope, and a polished submission can still hide gaps that only emerge later.

That puts more weight on judgement. Knowing which subcontractors are trusted, which are new, and where additional scrutiny is needed is becoming as important as the numbers themselves.

It also means being deliberate about the data that goes into a price. Including numbers that look competitive but don’t reflect the real scope may help win work, but it introduces risk that will surface later.

For many builders, the response is to double down on trusted subcontractor networks and consistent ways of working. Not to shut out new entrants, but to balance competitive pricing with reliable delivery.

Written by

Shauna Hurley

16 articles

Shauna is never short of questions when it comes to construction, tech and science. A professional writer, researcher and podcast producer, she loves sitting down with industry insiders for in-depth interviews that uncover the latest developments, debates and emerging trends. Having worked with organisations like Microsoft and the European Bank of Reconstruction, Shauna joined Procore to explore the complex issues facing construction and share fresh, research-rich insights that help professionals navigate a rapidly evolving industry.

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Adrian Brown

Founding Director | Jointly

Adrian Brown is a founding director of Jointly, a leading commercial builder based in Melbourne. A degree qualified Civil Engineer, Adrian has delivered projects in all corners of Australia and the UK. He combines a passion for building with an interest in the way evolving tech tools can support his team and growing business.

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