Real-world implementation case study: See how we transformed construction estimation for Horizon Builders
How Horizon Builders Revolutionized Their Estimation Process
AI-powered Project Agent reduced takeoff time by 85% and improved bid accuracy by 22%
Project Agent analyzing floor plans for automated takeoffs
Reduction in takeoff time
Improved bid accuracy
Fewer change orders
More bids submitted
About Horizon Builders
Horizon Builders is a mid-sized commercial construction company based in Denver, Colorado, specializing in office buildings, retail spaces, and multi-family residential projects. With 75 employees and annual revenue of $45 million, they compete against larger firms for projects ranging from $2-15 million.
The Challenge
Inefficient Estimation Process
Horizon Builders was struggling with a labor-intensive estimation process that required estimators to manually measure and calculate quantities from floor plans. This process was:
- ✕Time-consuming: 20-25 hours per project for takeoffs alone
- ✕Error-prone: 15-20% error rate in measurements leading to cost overruns
- ✕Limited capacity: Only able to bid on 6-8 projects per month
- ✕Inconsistent: Results varied based on which estimator performed the takeoff
"We were losing bids because we couldn't respond quickly enough, and when we did win projects, we often discovered measurement errors that ate into our profit margins."
— Michael Torres, Chief Estimator
Project Management Inefficiencies
Beyond estimation, Horizon faced challenges in project execution that impacted their bottom line:
- ✕Frequent change orders (averaging 12% of contract value)
- ✕Suboptimal resource allocation leading to idle equipment and labor
- ✕Schedule delays on 35% of projects
- ✕Limited risk assessment capabilities leading to unexpected issues
"We were constantly fighting fires instead of preventing them. Our project managers were spending too much time solving problems that could have been anticipated with better planning."
— Sarah Chen, Operations Director
The Solution: wrkspce.ai Project Agent
Implementation Timeline
Discovery & Assessment
Initial Setup & Integration
Training & Calibration
Full Deployment & Optimization
AI-Powered Construction Management
After evaluating several options, Horizon Builders partnered with wrkspce.ai to implement the Project Agent, an AI-powered solution specifically designed for construction workflows.
Floor Plan Analysis Tool
AI-powered computer vision technology that automatically extracts measurements and quantities from floor plans, reducing takeoff time by 85%.
Project Timeline Optimization
AI algorithms that analyze project constraints and dependencies to create optimized schedules, reducing timeline conflicts by 20%.
Resource Allocation
Intelligent suggestions for optimal team and equipment allocation, improving resource utilization by 22%.
Risk Assessment
Proactive identification of potential project risks with mitigation strategies, reducing change orders by 30%.
Integration with Existing Systems
The wrkspce.ai team integrated the Project Agent with Horizon's existing systems:
Acumatica Construction Edition
Bidirectional data sync for project financials and procurement
Procore Project Management
Integration for schedule updates and resource allocation
Bluebeam Revu
Direct import of floor plans and export of takeoff data
The Results
Quantitative Improvements
Estimation Process
Project Execution
Business Impact
Financial Outcomes
Executive Testimonial
"The wrkspce.ai Project Agent has transformed our business. We're bidding on more projects, winning more contracts, and executing them more profitably. The AI doesn't just save time—it's helping us make better decisions at every stage of the construction process."
James Rodriguez
CEO, Horizon Builders
Competitive Advantage
- Faster response to RFPs, increasing chances of winning contracts
- More accurate bids, reducing financial risk and improving client trust
- Better resource management, allowing for simultaneous handling of more projects
- Enhanced reputation for on-time, on-budget project delivery
Team Impact
Estimating Team
"Instead of spending days on takeoffs, we now focus on value engineering and finding creative solutions for clients."
— Michael Torres, Chief Estimator
Project Managers
"The risk assessment capabilities have been game-changing. We can anticipate and mitigate issues before they become problems."
— Lisa Patel, Senior Project Manager
Field Superintendents
"Resource allocation suggestions have eliminated bottlenecks and kept our crews productive throughout the project lifecycle."
— Carlos Mendez, Field Superintendent
Implementation Insights
Key Success Factors
- Executive Sponsorship
Strong support from leadership ensured adoption across all departments
- Phased Implementation
Starting with floor plan analysis before expanding to other features
- Comprehensive Training
Ensuring all team members understood how to leverage the AI capabilities
- Integration with Existing Systems
Seamless connection with Acumatica, Procore, and Bluebeam
Challenges & Solutions
Initial Resistance to Change
Some estimators were skeptical about AI accuracy and worried about job security.
Solution:
Side-by-side comparisons showing AI accuracy and training on how AI augments rather than replaces human expertise.
Data Quality Issues
Inconsistent floor plan formats and quality initially reduced AI accuracy.
Solution:
wrkspce.ai team created custom training for the AI using Horizon's historical plans and standardized input requirements.
Integration Complexity
Connecting with multiple existing systems presented technical challenges.
Solution:
wrkspce.ai's engineering team developed custom APIs and connectors to ensure seamless data flow between systems.
Future Roadmap
Expanding AI Capabilities
Horizon plans to implement additional Project Agent features:
- 3D model analysis for clash detection
- Predictive analytics for material price fluctuations
- Weather impact forecasting for schedule optimization
Team Expansion
With the efficiency gains from AI implementation, Horizon is focusing on strategic growth:
- Hiring additional project managers to handle increased volume
- Creating a dedicated BIM/VDC department
- Expanding into new geographic markets
Market Positioning
Leveraging AI as a competitive differentiator in the marketplace:
- Marketing AI capabilities to potential clients
- Pursuing larger, more complex projects
- Developing case studies to showcase AI-driven success
Transform Your Construction Business with AI
Learn how wrkspce.ai's Project Agent can help your company achieve similar results with a custom AI implementation tailored to your specific needs.
Join the growing number of construction companies leveraging AI to gain a competitive edge.