AI for Quantity Surveying & Estimating in 2025

Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced: we go from free tools (ChatGPT) to building your own Python takeoff helper, then a pro-grade Civils.ai workflow that scales drawings, handles units, and exports clean BOQs.

🔗 Resources mentioned
• Code & notebook from this lesson (Notion): https://civils-corp.notion.site/Quant...
• Civils.ai – AI for CAD PDF takeoffs: https://civils.ai/
• AI for Construction training course: https://civils.ai/ai-in-construction-...

⏱ Chapters
00:00 Intro — Why AI for QS in 2025
01:31 Free option: ChatGPT for simple counts & dimensions (when it works)
04:05 Where generic LLMs fail on real drawings
06:13 Build-your-own: Python + OpenAI to read CAD PDFs/PNGs → table output
14:05 Advanced workflow: Civils.ai for robust CAD PDF takeoffs (state of the art)
17:54 How to get started & training links

📌 What you’ll learn
How to use ChatGPT for quick checks (counts, dimensions) and when not to trust it.
Building a simple Python tool with the OpenAI API to structure QTO tables. Why professional tools matter for accuracy, scaling, and labeling on complex plans.
Using Civils.ai to: detect units, auto-scale from title blocks or dimensions, classify elements by legend/hatching, annotate drawings, and export consolidated BOQs.

🧰 Tools covered
ChatGPT (vision) for lightweight takeoffs
Python + OpenAI API (Jupyter) for custom logic
Civils.ai for production-grade CAD PDF takeoffs & BOQ export 👤 Who this is for Quantity Surveyors, Estimators, PMs, and anyone modernizing cost planning, QTO, and BOQs with AI. 👍

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