MEMBER VOICES
programme. It’s time-consuming. AI could make this much slicker – assign a reference number, automatically attach related information, send updates, and keep the programme live. That’s where I see real potential.” Looking ahead Strikovs is excited by “synthetic intelligence” – what he calls the next generation of AI that offers deeper business analysis. “It can provide you with a full plan, calculation, anything virtual. It’s significant, but we need to be sure it works for us.” Phillips wants to see practical improvements: better project management flows and more accurate measurement tools. “Measuring drawings is tough, time- consuming work. As AI improves, measurement quality will improve too. But project management first, then estimating.” Neither believes AI will replace skilled tradespeople on site. As Phillips puts it: “For us, it’s all about managing data and information more efficiently. AI won’t replace our bricklayers, carpenters or heritage specialists.” He highlights the value of solutions built by industry insiders. He has developed his own platform, Agored Build (Agored means “open” in Welsh), which gives clients live visibility of changing project costs. “Normally, once the initial quote is given, the client’s in the dark. Costs creep up with changes to foundations, steelwork or finishes. With Agored, clients get real-time updates and can approve changes straight away. It keeps the financial picture transparent at every stage.” For Phillips, Agored proves that simple digital tools can yield big results. The challenge is cultural: “Builders can be reluctant to adopt new tech. People worry they’ll press the wrong button. But if we can get over that barrier, tools like this can really change how we deliver projects.”
values AI’s potential, but is wary of rushing in. He has dabbled with AI mainly through ChatGPT. “We’ve used it for polishing emails and reports,” he says. “It’s brilliant, but you risk losing your own tone of voice. If you’re not careful, your personality disappears from the communication.” Phillips recognises AI’s potential. “What I haven’t seen yet, but can imagine coming, is being able to feed a drawing straight into a system, ask for floor areas and finishes, and get everything quantified automatically. That would be a really quick and useful tool.” Still, he believes construction requires fundamental knowledge that AI can’t replicate. “Build sequence is key. You can break a project into site clearance, demolition, foundations, superstructure, fit-out, externals – and then into smaller and smaller parts. People using AI need that basic understanding. Otherwise they’ll just accept whatever the tool spits out.” Risk of skipping steps Both members highlight the danger of over-reliance. While AI generates comprehensive documents like method statements, Strikovs says: “If you submit it without checking, it’s not going to be equally good. You need a professional to look at it.” Phillips agreed: “The danger is that people skip steps, especially younger people who might rely too much on the easy solution. It isn’t so straightforward.” He sees particular risk in bespoke and heritage work. “For mass housing developments or new towns, where designs are repeatable, AI will be hugely beneficial. But in high-end or heritage projects, it’s too complex. I can’t see AI covering everything any time soon.”
Members’ takes on tech Sean McAlister of Pencil and Brick uses: ● Gmail with Hiver plug-in which enables shared inboxes for collaborative email management. ● Google Workspace – Google Docs and Google Sheets for online-first collaboration, real-time updates across devices, transparent version tracking and group editing. ● DJI Mic 2 clip-on microphone for capturing conversations during site visits alongside Fireflies.ai – an AI-powered transcription tool. Clients’ consent to be recorded is required.
Nik Nelberg of Earl & Calam Design & Build Ltd uses:
● JobTread for client communication, sending proposals for approval, sending valuations and payment requests. ● HazardCo – an onsite health and safety app for a simple way to look after our team on site. Roland Woodward of Roland Woodward Ltd uses: ● Xero software with Hubdoc for receipts. ● Hazard Co for Health and Safety. Dennis Weeks of North London Loft Rooms uses: ● Buildertrend for project management and integrating “everything into one place”. ● AI within Buildertrend for analysis
to make better choices in management processes.
The next area to optimise, says Strikovs, is automation of office processes. His firm is trialling Fixer AI to sort emails, create automated responses, and file documents in the right places. “It works really well so far,” he says, though he admits it needs “a lot of in-depth testing.” Phillips’ priorities are different. As an estimator by background, he sees AI’s potential value in variation management. “At the moment, if we get a change to steelwork that delays procurement by two weeks, we have to record it, notify suppliers, update costs, and update the
Alex Strikovs
Andrew Phillips
23
Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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