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Academic Research Paper: Togal.AI vs Onscreen Takeoff

Victoria V. Marulanda S. at The University of Kansas' Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering (CEAE) Department and Master of Architectural Engineering (ARCE) Program ran a blind comparative analysis between Togal.AI and On-Screen Takeoff focused on time efficiency and accuracy.

Executive Summary

This research compares the time efficiency and accuracy of two estimation and takeoff software programs: Togal.AI, an AI-powered estimation tool, and On-Screen Takeoff (OST), a traditional computer-assisted program. Findings for the Fire Station case study showed up to 76% time savingswith Togal.AI while maintaining a percentage difference within 5% compared to the On-ScreenTakeoff results, with minimal discrepancies in smaller quantities. This study aims to advocate for human-AI collaboration by suggesting the integration of such tools into academic and industrial practices to enhance productivity and accuracy in combination with human judgment.

Methodology Overview

• Researcher was a first-time user of both softwares.
• Performed QTO of architectural floor plans from a clear drawing set (Fire Station) and an RCP floorplan, as a Control Case.
• Recorded time for AI raw takeoffs on each floor plan using Togal.AI.
  
  • Reviewed and identified inaccuracies in the AI-generated takeoffs.
• Conducted manual quantity takeoffs for each category identified by Togal.AI using On-ScreenTakeoff, recording completion times.
• Compared the results for accuracy and time efficiency.
  
  • Recorded the time required to make manual adjustments within Togal.AI.
  • Compared the total time spent using each program.

Fire Station Results

• Most adjustments performed on Togal.AI in <5 min.
• Most adjusted quantities are within 5% error margin.
• Common AI inconsistencies include missed projections, confusing annotations, and the inclusionof unrelated elements.

Control Case (RCP)

• Goal: Account for potential time and accuracy improvements caused by the learning curve from reviewing the floor plans in one software before the other.
• Account for learning-related advantages.
• Time savings: ~23% AI was less effective due to the complexity of the floor plan and classification limitations.
• Manual features were used in both programs to perform takeoffs of the different types of ceilings, with minor time advantages in Togal.AI.

Control Case (RCP) Results

The total time in minutes the Control Case (RCP) took in Togal.AI was 16.7 minutes, and 21.67 minutes to do the same tasks in Onscreen, resulting in a 22% time savings using Togal.AI.

Research Discussion Highlights: Togal vs. OST

• Significant time savings (~76%) shown in the Fire Station case study when using Togal.AI.
  
  • AI features: AI-automated area and linear tracing by spaces, item counting, automatic scale detection, merge, subtract, and search functions enable significant time savings.
  • AI-generated quantities serve as a starting point for further estimations, as shown in the Control Case of this study.
• Accuracy was reduced to below 5% for almost all of the classifications between programs.
  
  • For quantities reporting a value above 5%, the unit difference remained minimal.

Conclusion

The Togal.AI offers substantial time savings as it allows the integration of AI features, combined with manual review. AI tools and features must be accompanied by professional expertise and human oversight, which is critical. A combination of both leads to optimal efficiency and accuracy. Tool selection may vary based on project type and user preference.Manual tools are similar between the two software programs.Future adoption depends on training professionals in AI-assisted tools, focusing on the ethical and proficient use of these. AI tools should be viewed as assistants, not replacements.Further testing on different drawing types and newer software versions (OST) is recommended.

NC Painting was completing 19 bids per month on average using legacy software, Bluebeam. Their goal was to increase that number to 25 bids per month with Togal. In less than 60 days, NC Painting had increased their bid rate to an average of 60 bids per month, blowing their original goal out of the water!

• Switched from legacy software Bluebeam to Togal.AI
• Increased their bid rate by 215% in just two months
• Since switching to Togal, “our productivity is off the charts”

Total Flooring Contractors was given 48 hours to submit a bid for a 30-story high rise. Using Togal, they were able to do the takeoff in less than two days. Not only did they WIN the lucrative contract, it led to them winning another large project with the same construction company the following year.

• Went from doing a takeoff in 2 weeks, to just 2 days
• Togal’s AI tool caught costly errors before bid submission
• Customer won the contract because they were able to point out those errors to the GC

Before Togal, it took the team at Illusions Painting weeks to do a takeoff using old-school paper plans. Now, they get work done, “in the blink of an eye”. After researching and testing multiple software solutions, they chose Togal for its speed, the built-in AI tools, and the ability to collaborate in real time with team members.

• Cloud-based software lets teams work on the same takeoff at the same time
• Access your takeoffs from anywhere, from any device with internet
• 3D rendering in Togal allows users to visualize important details they may have missed on a 2D takeoff

Coastal Construction is one of the largest contractors in the Southeastern US. They were averaging ~20 hours per week in their old takeoff software, most of that time was spent manually clicking, counting, and coloring. After switching to Togal, they saved an average of 14.5 hrs per plan set, resulting in a cumulative cost savings of ~$1 Million per year.

• Switched from manual takeoffs to AI-assisted takeoffs with Togal
• Able to collaborate with 400+ employees and subcontractors in real time
• Increased bid rate to an average of 10 bids/month
• Saved 13,920 hours, resulting in a savings of $1M in their first year with Togal