Beam AI

Description

Beam AI, also known as iBeam, is a cloud-based AI takeoff and construction estimating platform. It reads your project drawings and specifications, automatically identifies material quantities, and delivers a complete, bid-ready takeoff in formats like Excel and PDF. The extracted quantities plug directly into your pricing models and bid packages, letting estimators skip manual tracing and measuring.

The platform supports multiple trades, including HVAC and mechanical, concrete, electrical, plumbing, structural steel, civil, utilities, masonry, roofing, flooring, painting, and demolition, as well as field services like landscaping, paving, and snow removal. It offers a do-it-yourself workflow for fast takeoffs plus a done-for-you option where a quality-assurance team reviews and delivers QA-checked takeoffs, typically within 24 to 72 hours.

Beyond takeoffs, Beam AI includes an editing toolbar for adjusting features, automatic addenda and resubmission detection with variance reports, and a bid dashboard to track bid statuses, due dates, RFIs, and ITBs. BeamGPT, its built-in AI assistant, helps teams find key specifications, clarify scope, and spot discrepancies in plans.

Beam AI is used by general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and distributors to scale bid capacity without adding headcount. It runs entirely in the cloud through the iBeam Portal, is SOC 2 Type 2 certified, and is priced on an annual license model based on trade and sheet volume.

Beam AI's Core Features

• AI-driven plan recognition that reads drawings and specifications automatically

• Automated quantity takeoffs across many trades

• Done-for-you QA-checked takeoffs delivered in 24-72 hours

• Excel and PDF exports ready for pricing models

• Automatic addenda detection with side-by-side variance reports

• Bid dashboard for tracking bid statuses, due dates, RFIs, and ITBs

• BeamGPT assistant for finding specs and spotting plan discrepancies

• Cloud-based iBeam Portal with team collaboration and revision management

How to use Beam AI?

1. 1

   Upload plans: Drop your architectural plans, spec docs, and legends into Beam AI as PDFs.

2. 2

   Confirm scope: Review the pre-aligned scope of work for your trade and note any project-specific deviations.

3. 3

   Let AI take off quantities: The AI scans your files, reads specs and notes, and extracts material quantities.

4. 4

   Receive your takeoff: A QA team reviews every takeoff before it lands in your inbox, typically within 24-72 hours.

5. 5

   Export and bid: Download bid-ready Excel or PDF outputs and plug the quantities into your pricing and bid packages.

Beam AI's Use Cases

• Subcontractor takeoffs
• General contractor estimating
• Supplier and distributor quoting
• Addenda and revision management
• Bid pipeline tracking

FAQ from Beam AI

• How does Beam AI work?

  Beam AI reads your project drawings and specifications, automatically identifies all material quantities, and delivers a complete takeoff in formats like Excel and PDF. You can plug the quantities directly into your pricing models, estimator software, or bid packages.

• What types of trades does Beam AI support?

  Beam AI supports HVAC and mechanical, concrete, electrical, plumbing, steel, civil, utilities, masonry, roofing, flooring, painting, demolition, and field services like landscaping, paving, and snow removal.

• Who can use Beam AI?

  It is built for subcontractors who want faster digital takeoffs, general contractors managing multi-trade projects, and suppliers and distributors who need accurate material quantities for their pricing models.

• Is Beam AI cloud-based?

  Yes. Beam AI is fully cloud-based. Through the iBeam Portal, your team can upload drawings, collaborate in real time, manage revisions, and download takeoffs from any device with no on-premise installation.

• How does Beam AI handle addenda and resubmissions?

  You can resubmit a takeoff in a few clicks and the platform automatically detects plan changes, generating an updated takeoff. The Excel export includes a built-in variance report with side-by-side pre- and post-addenda comparisons.

• How does Beam AI pricing work?

  Beam AI uses an annual subscription based on measurable sheet credits, letting users perform unlimited AI takeoffs within their plan limit. Unused sheet credits can roll over up to 15% into the next year.