Dodge Construction Network, in partnership with CMiC, has released AI for Contractors, a research report examining how artificial intelligence is impacting construction. The study found 87% of contractors believe AI will have a meaningful effect on the industry, with early adopters reporting measurable improvements.
“AI-enabled solutions are giving contractors tools to turn data into actionable insights,” said Gord Rawlins, CEO of CMiC. Early adopters report 92% effectiveness in automated proposal generation and 86% in contract risk review.
From Administrative to Strategic Roles
Contractors see AI transforming project management by reducing repetitive tasks and enabling predictive decision-making:
- 85% expect to spend less time on routine tasks.
- 70% believe AI will help them make better decisions.
- 75% anticipate AI assisting in learning from historical project data.
Adoption and Readiness
While adoption is limited, more than half of companies are exploring AI through pilot programs:
- 40% allocate a budget to AI initiatives.
- 38% have implementation teams.
- 19% are updating legacy workflows.
- 51% are evaluating potential AI-related changes.
Early Success and Key Capabilities
Despite limited current use, early adopters report strong results, especially in project and company management functions:
- 81% see benefits in automated constructability analysis.
- 80% value intelligent permit submissions.
- 79% highlight autonomous project optimization.
- 76% are interested in dynamic pricing optimization.
- 92% see value in automated contract creation.
- 79% note bid/no-bid decision support as useful.
Challenges Ahead
Contractors cite data accuracy (57%), security (54%), and implementation costs or internal resistance as key concerns. Only 26% rate their data quality as high, highlighting a barrier to wider AI adoption.
“Many contractors understand the challenges and the need for a structured approach to implementation,” said Steve Jones, Senior Director, Industry Insights Analytics at Dodge.
Looking into the New Year
The report suggests the industry is approaching a tipping point for AI adoption, with growing awareness, interest, and validation from early users signaling significant expansion in AI-enabled construction tools.
