How AI Is Creating Big Advantages for Specialty Contractors

By

Michael Spano

and Diane McCormick

Last Updated Jan 16, 2026

By

Michael Spano

and Diane McCormick

Every minute that an MEP contractor takes to file an RFI, untangle a scheduling knot, or search for a forgotten document is a minute spent not building something.

Enter artificial intelligence. AI is not a cure-all, but with its force-multiplying power to gather, classify, store, and analyze disparate data, AI can brush away the barriers that slow schedules, increase risk, and erode profitability.

As AI takes on reasoning powers through the introduction of agents, it is becoming indispensable to MEP subcontractors intent on sustaining and growing their recognized brands in a competitive marketplace.

What AI Can Do Right Now

Artificial intelligence is the leading way to keep pace with an evolving construction landscape — without sacrificing quality and safety. In an age of labor shortages and time constraints that breed risk, AI brings extra hands, eyes, and ears to the job.

AI is no longer simply completing basic tasks with alacrity. Now, its comprehension of project needs and priorities position it as a digital teammate entrusted with keeping the job on schedule and on budget.

AI can be given instant access to all project data, including schedules, costs, and progress indicators. Users can call up interrelated data points, for rapid, comprehensive analysis — and draw the kinds of mission-critical insights that only humans can generate.  

With AI, MEP contractors can expect automatic, proactive risk alerts about potential schedule or budget overruns; compliance checks that review documents against standard operating procedures (SOPs) and owner requirements, even suggesting adjustments to achieve compliance; and automated summaries of historical data, useful for audits or dispute resolution.

Manually reviewing a document against the owner's set requirements often involves the tedious and time-consuming process of cross-referencing multiple supporting documents and SOPs.

AI dramatically simplifies this: within seconds, it can analyze all relevant compliance documents and SOPs to verify adherence. Furthermore, if non-compliance is detected, the AI can immediately suggest or even make the necessary adjustments, providing the initial steps toward full compliance.

Michael Spano

Solutions Engineer, Public Sector

Procore Technologies

AI Agents for MEP Contractors

AI agents are taking AI to the next level by understanding the context of every situation and providing guidance. They are not just packaging information in searchable form but automating common workflows and using reasoning abilities to draw conclusions and co-navigate complex processes with users.

Agent builders made to complement existing construction management software allow MEP subcontractors to customize high-level AI to their unique needs. AI agents can help:

• Automate RFIs

  Agents can draft RFIs from input data, including field photos. The help of agents minimizes risk by standardizing communications, clarifying terms and questions, and streamlining the process for less tech-savvy users.

• Analyze Schedules

  AI agents can help eliminate the tedium of schedule tracking and updating, for heightened efficiency and fewer missed signals. Agents can compare actuals to baselines, flagging potential issues such as trade stacking for review. In conjunction with notifications about late delivery of chillers or light fixtures, they can automatically update the schedule to reflect the delay’s impact.

• Create Submittals

  Traditional submittals consume time and energy in finding product data sheets, vetting them against specs, and preparing submittal packages. AI agents can take those design specs, search for compliant products and vendors, and build complete submittal packages for approval. Those same agents can also search the historical product database when questions arise, replacing manual filtering to quickly unearth entries from long ago.

• Analyze Photos

  Photos are powerful jobsite tools for documenting conditions and projects, but pictures locked in a cell phone fix problems or avert bad outcomes. Agents can tag and organize images for searchability across platforms, surfacing and flagging potential risk, whether it’s leaking pipe, exposed wiring, or a noncompliant installation.

No matter the tasks they’re assigned to handle, AI agents can create consistency across projects, enshrining key steps and preventing costly mistakes.

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Making AI Work

Like any tool, AI works best when it’s handled with care. Strategic application and diligent upkeep address these potential limitations and yield solutions that extract full ROI.

Garbage in, garbage out: The old saying holds true. Quality data is the key to quality output.  In particular, a better stream of data from jobsites supports more effective real-time decision making.

What happens to the time that AI saves? There’s no strategic value in devoting it to more wheel-spinning or data entry.

Fortunately, AI offers a built-in solution, freeing time once spent on drudge work for higher-order tasks, such as improving the SOPs for entering data from the field.

It's important to remember: AI isn’t infallible. It can overlook key data points, give credence to erroneous or irrelevant information, and draw wrong conclusions. Strict controls should be created for human fact-checking of AI outputs.

As AI and AI agents become ingrained in daily workflows, their impact continues to rise. Trends, patterns, and lessons learned begin to weave into connected, unified structured models of operational efficiencies. Knowledge transforms into repeatable processes, scaling expertise across every project for enterprise-wide application.

While AI becomes better, so do the humans who find ways to leverage it to proactively mitigate risk, secure higher-margin projects, and unlock opportunities. When procedural barriers diminish, growth follows, and MEP practitioners find the freedom to hone their crafts and achieve long-term competitive advantage.

Written by

Michael Spano

Solutions Engineer, Public Sector | Procore Technologies

Michael Spano is a Procore Solutions Engineer who partners with Public Sector agencies to deliver tailored technical solutions for their project management and construction processes. Michael brings a strong background in the construction and engineering industries, having spent time focusing on HVAC, plumbing design and managing a wide range of construction projects.

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Diane McCormick

Writer | Procore Technologies

52 articles

Diane McCormick is a freelance journalist covering construction, packaging, manufacturing, natural gas distribution, and waste oil recycling. A proud resident of Harrisburg, PA, Diane is well-versed in several types of digital and print media. Recognized as one of the premier voices in her region, she was recognized as the Keystone Media Freelance Journalist of the Year in 2022 and again in 2023.

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