At first glance, traditional preconstruction methods seem “good enough.” Manual takeoffs, Excel cost models, and countless back-and-forth supplier emails have been the norm for decades. But lurking beneath the surface are hidden costs that erode project margins and schedules.
The real costs of manual preconstruction include:
⚠️ Wasted Time:
Manual takeoffs can delay bid preparation by weeks, leading to missed opportunities or rushed, inaccurate estimates.
⚠️ Cost Overruns:
Static estimates don’t adjust to market volatility, causing bids to underprice or overprice — leading to rework, disputes, and blown budgets.
⚠️ Fragmented Supplier Sourcing:
Finding and vetting suppliers manually creates inconsistencies, missed savings, and project delays.
⚠️ Human Error:
Data entry mistakes, miscalculations, and miscommunications are inevitable — and costly.
How to Avoid These Costs:
- Automate Takeoffs: Use AI to extract material needs instantly.
- Predict Costs Dynamically: Real-time data integration ensures your bids match today’s market, not yesterday’s.
- Standardize Supplier Matching: Platforms like STM8 offer apples-to-apples comparisons, reducing sourcing confusion.
- Automate Change Management: Let AI reoptimize projects when specs shift.
In 2025, manual preconstruction isn’t just outdated — it’s expensive. AI optimization is the path to faster, smarter, and more profitable projects.
