Construction Estimate Automation with AI 2026: Save 5+ Hours Per Estimate
An estimator spends 6 hours on one estimate: searching GESN rates in a 528-page manual, manually transferring data from Excel, recalculating units of measurement. In 2026, AI does this in 30 minutes — saving 5+ hours per project.
Key Takeaways
- Average manual estimate takes 6 hours, with AI — 0.5 hours
- AI selects GESN rates in 3 seconds instead of 20 minutes of searching
- Automatic data collection from Excel, Google Docs, PDF, text descriptions
- 95%+ calculation accuracy by eliminating human errors
- ROI pays back in 10-15 estimates (savings of 55,000+ ₽/month with 20 estimates)
Comparison of Methods: How to Automate Construction Estimates?
| Method | What It Is | Pros | Cons | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Preparation | GESN manual search + Excel | Full control | 6 hours per estimate, error risk | Free |
| Grand Smeta / Smeta.ru | Professional software | Complete rate database | Complex interface, requires 2-3 weeks training | from 50,000 ₽/year |
| BIM Systems (5D Smeta) | Calculation from Revit 3D model | Accuracy, project integration | Requires BIM model, expensive | from 120,000 ₽/year |
| AI Automation (TimeMaterial) | Telegram bot with AI rate selection | Description-based search, any data sources, fast | Currently GESN-2020 only | 5,000 ₽/month |
How to Automate Estimate Preparation in 3 Steps?
Instead of 6 hours of manual work — upload data to the AI bot and get a ready estimate in 30 minutes.
Step 1. Upload Source Data in Any Format
Send work data to Telegram bot @timematerial_bot: - Excel table with work list - Google Docs with project description - PDF with technical specification - Drawing screenshot - Text description: "ventilation installation in 200 m2 office"
AI automatically recognizes work types, volumes, and units of measurement.
Step 2. AI Selects GESN Rates and Calculates Labor Costs
The system analyzes each item and finds suitable rates from the GESN-2020 directory (528+ items) in 3 seconds. You confirm the selection or make corrections.
AI workflow example:
Your item: "Interior wall plastering improved 75 m2"
AI suggests:
1. GESN15-01-015 — Improved plastering
Standard: 3.8 man-hours per 100 m2
For your volume 75 m2: 2.85 man-hours
(Recommended)
2. GESN15-01-016 — High-quality plastering
Standard: 5.4 man-hours per 100 m2
For your volume 75 m2: 4.05 man-hours
Step 3. Get Ready Estimate in Excel
The bot generates an estimate according to your template with automatic formulas, totals, and section breakdown. Saves matching history — the next similar estimate is prepared even faster.
TimeMaterial Telegram bot: automatic GESN rate selection and estimate generation in 30 minutes
What Else Can TimeMaterial Do for Estimate Automation?
Full automation cycle — from data collection to ready document export.
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Multi-format Input | Works with Excel, Google Sheets, PDF, images, text |
| AI Rate Selection | Analyzes work description and finds GESN codes in 3 seconds |
| Automatic Calculation | Recalculates units of measurement, applies coefficients |
| Cloud Integration | Synchronization with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace |
| Matching History | Remembers your decisions to speed up repetitive tasks |
| Excel Export | Generates estimate according to client's template with formulas and totals |
See Also
- GESN Rates 2026: How to Find in 3 Seconds Without Software and Registration
- Estimate GESN Rate 2026: AI Selects in 3 Seconds Instead of Manual Search
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Time Does AI Estimate Automation Save?
On average 5.5 hours per estimate. Manual preparation takes 6 hours (rate search, data entry, calculations), with AI — 0.5 hours (data upload + result verification).
Which Rate Databases Are Supported?
Currently GESN-2020 (federal base of elemental estimate standards). In the "Professional" plan, you can upload your company's local rates.
Is Training Required to Work with the AI Bot?
No. The interface is a regular Telegram chat. Just send data and receive an estimate. Training takes 5 minutes.
Can It Be Used for Tender Documentation?
Yes. The system generates estimates in accordance with Federal Laws 44-FZ and 223-FZ requirements, uses current GESN-2020 rates.
Stop Spending 6 Hours Manually Preparing One Estimate.
TimeMaterial automates construction estimate preparation with AI in 2026 — save 5+ hours per project, 95%+ accuracy, without complex software.
Two Payment Options: - 5,000 ₽/month — subscription, free setup + all updates - 30,000 ₽ — one-time payment, setup + updates for a year
Learn more about features on the TimeMaterial — Construction Estimate Automation with AI page.
Article prepared by the TimeMaterial team. Updated: 2026-02-17.
Sources: - https://smeta.ai/ - https://freesmetaonline.ru/beforeNewSmetaAI - https://centersmet.ru/tpost/3sxrffta41-iskusstvennii-intellekt-v-stroitelstve-k - https://vc.ru/tribuna/2213558-avtomaticheskoe-sostavlenie-smet-po-chertzham-i-tz - https://5dsmeta.ru/articles/article_programma-dlya-avtomatizatsii-smetnykh-raschetov-i-sostavleniya-dokumentatsii.html - https://general-smeta.ru/stati/1362-kak-vybrat-smetnuyu-programmu-kratkij-sravnitelnyj-obzor-populyarnykh-smetnykh-programm.html - https://kurs.alfabank.ru/articles/kak-sostavit-stroitelnuyu-smetu-instrukciya-ot-raschyota-do-proverki/
About the service "TimeMaterial — AI-powered estimate automation"
AI system for automatic estimation from any materials: Excel, Google Docs, PDF, text descriptions. Works with GESN (State Elemental Estimate Norms) price catalogs. Saves 5+ hours of estimator's work on each project.
Key Benefits:
- Saving 5+ hours of estimator's work on each project
- Calculation accuracy 95%+ thanks to AI
- Reduction of human errors by a factor of 10
- ROI pays off in 10-15 estimates