What Estimators Are Asking About AI-Assisted Construction Takeoff Right Now

At Togal.AI, we know the worlds of preconstruction software and construction AI are evolving fast. And we’re proud to be part of that progress.

As estimating teams face tighter deadlines, more complex drawings, and growing pressure to move faster without sacrificing accuracy, the questions around technology are getting sharper. That’s a good thing.

For our latest Togal20 live webinar, we opened the floor to the people closest to the work: estimators, preconstruction leaders, and construction professionals.

This month’s Togal20 was an “Ask Us Anything” featuring Michael Seni, Head of Customer Success at Togal.AI and an estimator himself, answering live questions about workflows, adoption, AI-assisted construction takeoff, and where preconstruction technology is headed next.

And honestly, we got more questions than we could answer in the 20–30 minutes we had!

That tells us something important: The construction industry is mulling over important questions about scalability, security, and AI augmentation. Here are some of the biggest themes.

Why Cloud-Based Takeoff Is Becoming the Standard

One of the first topics to come up was cloud-based construction takeoff software and estimating. It’s a shift the industry is still making, but the benefits are key.

For estimating teams, cloud-based construction takeoff means:

• Automatic updates without manual installs
• Centralized project data instead of siloed local files
• Real-time collaboration across teams
• Easier access from anywhere
• Reduced risk of losing critical bid data

For larger or distributed estimating teams, collaboration is essential and can no longer be ignored. When multiple estimators are working on the same bid, disconnected systems create duplicated work, version confusion, and bottlenecks.

With Togal.AI, teams can collaborate inside the same project environment, assign permissions, and stay aligned in real time. That matters more than ever as estimating teams scale.

Security Has Become a Bigger Buying Factor

A few years ago, construction software security wasn’t always front and center. That’s changed. And it came up pretty early in our AMA.

Today, enterprise contractors and IT teams are asking tougher questions about data handling, compliance, and access controls.

Togal.AI is SOC 2 Type II compliant, one of the most rigorous ongoing security certifications in software. It’s not just a point-in-time check. It evaluates how systems and processes perform over time.

Beyond that, Togal.AI also supports enterprise SSO workflows, making it easier for larger organizations to align with internal IT requirements.

As more preconstruction workflows move into the cloud, robust cybersecurity will no longer be optional—it’ll be seen as essential to any digital infrastructure.

What Trades Does Togal.AI Support?

This is one of the most common questions we get. The short answer: A lot.

At its core, Togal.AI is a construction takeoff platform built to support a broad range of commercial construction workflows.

Common trades using Togal.AI include:

• Drywall
• Windows and doors
• Painting and wallpaper
• Flooring
• Roofing
• Commercial interiors
• Electrical workflows
• Plumbing workflows
• Demolition
• Concrete
• Glazing

What makes that possible is a mix of manual flexibility and AI-assisted workflows.

Estimators can use:

• The Togal Button for automated room detection and floor plan takeoff
• AI Text Search for finding tagged items fast
• AI Image Search for locating symbols and visual elements
• AI Pattern Search for repeated plan conditions

The goal behind all these features (and more) is to give estimators faster ways to complete the work while keeping control in their hands.

Repeating Groups, Assemblies, and Faster Multifamily Takeoffs

One of the strongest workflow conversations in the webinar centered around multi-unit estimating, like hotels, apartments, office buildings, and the like. This is where Togal.AI’s Repeating Groups feature becomes especially powerful.

Instead of repeating the same takeoff unit-by-unit, estimators can:

1. Complete one full unit takeoff
2. Convert it into a reusable group
3. Apply it across the entire project instantly

For multifamily, hospitality, and any repeat-heavy project type, this can dramatically compress takeoff time.

We also discussed assemblies; another major efficiency lever. Today, Togal’s assembly functionality is especially strong for drywall and framing workflows, allowing users to build out structured quantities for studs, board counts, nails, and more.

Add in custom formulas and waste factors, and estimators can build workflows that mirror how they already estimate.

That’s the point. Technology should fit the estimator; not the other way around.

Not All Construction AI Is Built the Same

In our opinion, this was one of the most important parts of the conversation. Because, right now, a lot of construction software providers say they “have AI.” But what does that even mean? Do they offer AI automation that actually saves time? Or do they have some generic large language model over their platform?

With Togal.AI, you don’t have to guess what we mean by AI-assisted takeoffs for estimators.

The AI infrastructure backing our takeoff tool was purpose-built for estimators and trained on a proprietary dataset of more than 100,000 construction drawings, curated and labeled by architects and engineers.

That foundation now supports Togal.AI’s five issued U.S. patents, with six more pending, covering core AI systems for takeoff automation, change analysis, and plan interpretation.

That distinction matters because preconstruction depends on accuracy and context. Not AI hallucinations.

Integrations Matter More Than Ever

Takeoff doesn’t live in isolation, and estimators know it! Which is probably why integrations came up repeatedly.

Togal.AI’s approach is simple: Be the best takeoff platform and connect seamlessly into the broader estimating ecosystem.

That includes:

• Native integration with Ediphi, allowing quantities to flow directly into estimating workflows without manual re-entry
• ServiceTitan integration for trade contractors
• Zebel integration for connected quantity and cost workflows

This is where preconstruction is heading: Connected systems. Less spreadsheet handoff. Less version confusion. Less duplicated work. More continuity from takeoff to estimate.

The Future of Estimating Is Augmentation

One of Mike’s best lines during the webinar said it clearly: “It’s about augmentation, not automation.”

That idea is central to Togal.AI. The future of estimating isn’t removing estimators. It’s removing repetitive work: Clicking, tracing, searching, rework, and all the rest.

That’s what Togal.AI is automating, so estimators can spend more time where they create the most value—like reviewing scope, making judgment calls, and building better bids.

And based on the questions we got during this AMA, that’s exactly where the industry wants to go!

If you missed this month’s Togal20, join us live on the third Thursday of the month.

Because if this session proved anything, it’s that construction teams are asking better questions than ever! And that’s how the industry moves forward.

Have questions of your own? Request a demo to learn more about what AI-assisted takeoff can do for your construction business.