Here’s how to apply AI to your construction business

Let’s clear up two things about artificial intelligence at the start. First, it’s a broad concept, not a specific product, in the same way hydraulics is a broad concept, not a specific product. Yes, both AI and hydraulics are fundamental to countless specific products, but neither is in and of itself a product. Second, you’re already using AI on a regular basis. You travel and pull out your smartphone to find the best place to get a burger in an unfamiliar city. A few taps and you have restaurant ratings, reviews, locations, menus, business hours, phone numbers and directions. That’s AI and, as it happens, quite complex artificial intelligence. The same is true with Amazon and other online shopping services and all social media. Now that we’ve cleared up those matters, the question is, how do I apply AI to my business? Just as you wouldn’t travel without your smartphone, you shouldn’t run your business without AI.

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Engineering Tech

YOUNG & Associates Acquires IN-Line Consulting, LLC

YOUNG & ASSOCIATES | September 26, 2023

Property and claims consultants YOUNG & Associates (YA), has acquired the claims and engineering company IN-Line Consulting, LLC. Founded by Matt Watson and Mark Lively more than 16 years ago, IN-Line was formed to manage the consulting work offered by a full-service restoration company operating primarily in the Southeast United States. The move strengthens YA's footprint in that part of the country, solidifying the company's role as a national and international leader. IN-Line will operate as a subsidiary of YA and its day-to-day operations will continue to be directed by the existing IN-Line leadership team. The company's management and support teams also will remain in place. "This partnership with IN-Line is a significant step forward in growing our professional service offerings," said Wade Bushman, YA's CEO. "We appreciate IN-Line's diverse base of technical experts, exceptional customer service track record, shared cultural values, and employee-first workplace model. They are a natural addition to the YA team." IN-Line President Matt Watson explained joining forces with YA allows the company to better serve clients by broadening its resource base and expanding its capabilities nationally and internationally. The move also offers new avenues for personal and professional growth for IN-Line's employees. "Since our inception, we have focused on building a great team and culture that can best serve the wide-ranging needs of our clients," Watson said. "Now, with YA's resources and platform, we are well positioned to carry that commitment into the future." ABOUT YOUNG & ASSOCIATES YOUNG & Associates (www.youngonline.com) is a property consulting firm providing building damage assessments, forensic and investigative consulting services to the insurance industry, public and private sector clients. YA was founded in 1997 by Ray and Linda Young on the core values of knowledge, integrity, and professionalism. Through its 26 years, YA's range of property damage services has expanded, developing a broader client base, and growing the team to almost 600 staff strategically located across the U.S. and internationally. ABOUT IN-LINE CONSULTING, LLC IN-Line Consulting, LLC (www.inline.us) is a national construction consulting firm specializing in property damage restoration and reconstruction recommendations for all phases of construction. Historically, IN-Line has been engaged on large, complex losses which require the technical diversity, expertise, and experience unique to our team of professionals. IN-Line's principal services include the preparation of comprehensive and market-specific construction estimates, as well as detailed and practical scopes of reconstruction. IN-Line's other competencies include but are not limited to: cost of repair audits; on-site clerking; code reviews; construction schedule analysis; production efficiency and economy analysis; forensic engineering; and construction defect analysis.

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Construction

Billd and STACK Construction Technologies Announce Powerful Integration That Helps Contractors to Secure Working Capital and Increase Bid Volume

Newswire | September 12, 2023

Billd, a leading construction payment provider for commercial trade contractors, and STACK Construction Technologies, a pioneering construction software platform, enhanced their strategic partnership today in a way that will allow subcontractors to accelerate their growth like never before. Billd's financing solutions are now embedded in STACK's Takeoff and Estimating platform, allowing subcontractors to instantly access working capital during preconstruction. The new integration will empower subcontractors to increase bid volume, secure working capital, and strengthen supplier relationships, accelerating business growth without the financial constraints of the industry's broken payment chain. "We encourage all of our customers to think about working capital availability, and if necessary, financing costs, as early as possible," said Billd CEO and Founder, Chris Doyle. "This integration equips subcontractors to be proactive about project finances and bid, plan, and make promises to customers confidently, knowing that financial backing is readily available." Supply chain finance has been historically unfair to subcontractors, leaving them footing the bill for materials and labor far before they're paid for their work. Subcontractors wait twice as long as industry peers to be paid, averaging 74 days (almost two and a half months) after starting a project. By leveraging Billd Connect, Billd's suite of embedded financing apps, STACK will provide access to working capital solutions to their customers while they estimate the cost of upcoming projects. STACK's best-in-class software empowers contractors with accurate and customizable estimates, reducing the risk of underestimating costs and overextending resources. Meanwhile, Billd's material and invoice financing bridge the gap in subcontractor cash flow, reducing the risk of overextending working capital. By providing subcontractors with hyper-accurate takeoffs and estimates along with upfront funds for materials, joint customers can mitigate the uncertainties of payment cycles and bid with confidence. "The integration of construction technology is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity," said STACK's CEO and Co-Founder, Phillip Ogilby. "The construction industry has been plagued by subcontractors not getting paid on time, leading to disruptions, delays, and stalled growth. Our streamlined takeoff, estimating, and proposal solutions paired with Billd's financing options mean subs can focus on what matters. Taking the guesswork out with accurate estimates and having predictable revenue is a huge win. I wish I had this growth opportunity when I was a roofing contractor." Subcontractors need financing and they need it early in the process. Billd offers 120-day terms on material purchases, enabling subcontractors to improve their cash flow to take on larger projects, get more estimates out the door, and focus on investing in their long-term plan. About STACK Construction Technologies From project evaluation to completion, contractors use STACK's cloud-based software to help run their business and maximize their profits. Our preconstruction solutions enable fast and accurate takeoff and estimating, as well as providing a centralized hub where plans, specs, and other construction documents can be stored, evaluated, measured, and shared. Our construction solutions power real-time field and project collaboration by allowing teams to quickly and easily review, annotate, compare, and share plans, anywhere, from any device. STACK's superior collaboration tools ultimately improve project outcomes and profitability for contractors. About Billd At Billd, we provide a payment solution that enables commercial construction contractors to free up cash for material purchases while enjoying the flexibility of 120-day payment terms. You get financing for commercial materials upfront with the freedom to pay it back at your own pace. Learn more about how we can help eliminate your company's cash-flow problems so you can win more bids and grow your business.

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Construction

Bespoke Metrics and Procore Deepen Collaboration to Streamline Preconstruction Phase

GlobeNewswire | September 14, 2023

COMPASS by Bespoke Metrics, a leading provider of prequalification and risk management technology, today announced the integration of its prequalification system with the Procore platform, marking a significant milestone within its involvement on the Procore App Marketplace. Procore Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of construction management software and launched the Procore App Marketplace in 2016 as an online hub for third party integrations and custom applications modernizing the everyday life of the construction professional. This expanded integration will weave COMPASS's Prequalification tool into Procore's digital workspace, setting a new benchmark for improved precision and an upgraded user experience during the critical preconstruction phase. "COMPASS and Procore are both committed to improving risk management across the construction industry and supporting quality-based selection," said Michael Ho, CEO of Bespoke Metrics. "This enhancement will allow us to leverage our shared vision and expertise to provide a more comprehensive and efficient preconstruction process." The integration of COMPASS's prequalification system with Procore aims to redefine the bidding dynamic. This will make it easier for general contractors to find and hire prequalified specialty contractors, helping save valuable time. "With a mission to connect everyone in construction on a global platform, this collaboration with COMPASS marks a significant step towards achieving this goal," commented Kris Lengieza, vice president, global partnership and alliances of Procore. "The integration of COMPASS's prequalification tool with the Procore platform will help our customers mitigate the risk of engaging stakeholders who lack financial stability. This can ultimately help decrease the potential for project delays and failures.” COMPASS will be sponsoring this year's Groundbreak event. Join us at Booth #31 to learn more about our integration with Procore and how it's reshaping the construction landscape. ABOUT BESPOKE METRICS Offering multi-language concierge service for both subcontractors and general contractors, COMPASS by Bespoke Metrics is a leading prequalification platform that supports industry-wide data collection, verification, and analytics. Through the COMPASS 1Form, subcontractor data is collected using a unique standardized approach, while giving subcontractors full control of their data. General contractors benefit from the analytics derived from standardized data, enabling them to effectively manage project and default risks.

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Markets

Construction Partners, Inc. Completes South Carolina Acquisition.

PR Newswire | October 03, 2023

Construction Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROAD) ("CPI" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company specializing in the construction and maintenance of roadways across six southeastern states, today announced that it has acquired Hubbard Paving & Grading, Inc., headquartered in Walhalla, South Carolina. The acquisition adds one hot-mix asphalt plant and related construction operations to CPI's South Carolina platform company, King Asphalt, Inc., and will expand its service market in the Upstate region. Fred J. (Jule) Smith, III, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The Upstate area of South Carolina continues to be one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing areas in the United States. We welcome the skilled team of professionals from Hubbard and look forward to serving the infrastructure needs of the greater Greenville metro area as a combined organization." About Construction Partners, Inc. Construction Partners, Inc. is a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company operating across six southeastern states. Supported by its hot-mix asphalt plants, aggregate facilities and liquid asphalt terminal, the company focuses on the construction, repair and maintenance of surface infrastructure. Publicly funded projects make up the majority of its business and include local and state roadways, interstate highways, airport runways and bridges. The company also performs private sector projects that include paving and sitework for office and industrial parks, shopping centers, local businesses and residential developments.

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