Best AI for construction, by job
To start with AI for construction, try AI Estimate from Joist for estimating, Civils.ai for takeoff and ServiceM8 for field service, each the cheapest flat plan for its job.
Which AI tool writes a job estimate?
Start with AI Estimate from Joist, from $8.34 per month, billed annually: the lowest flat monthly price of the 18 AI estimating tools compared. If you price occasional jobs or are just starting out, AI Estimate comes with Joist Basics at $8.34 a month, billed annually. Joist also lists QuickBooks sync. The catch: Joist has no free plan, so you pay once the 14-day free trial ends. QuoteIQ AI Estimator has Essentials, for solo operators getting started, at $29.99 a month, billed monthly, with a 14-day free trial.
| Tool | Price as stated | Free plan or trial | Compliance it states | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI EstimateJoist · Vendor site | From $8.34 per month, billed annually | Free trial (14 days) | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| QuoteIQ AI EstimatorQuoteIQ · Vendor site | From $29.99 per month | Free trial (14 days) | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| HandoffHandoff · Vendor site | From $119 per month, billed annually | Free trial (7 days) | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| JobTread AIJobTread · Vendor site | From $199 per month | Not stated | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
Which AI tool does takeoffs from plans?
Civils.ai is the one to try first, from $90 per month: no flat plan among the 18 AI takeoff tools costs less. Suits a civil or groundworks contractor trying AI takeoff on a first project: Starter is $90 a month, billed monthly for a single user, and you can cancel anytime. The catch: no free trial is stated, and no estimating features are stated, only measured quantities. Kreo also does estimating: Essential is $100 per user a month, billed annually, Pro with AI features is $175, and a 7-day free trial is offered.
| Tool | Price as stated | Free plan or trial | Compliance it states | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civils.aiCivils.ai · Vendor site | From $90 per month | Not stated | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| Mirage MetricsMirage Metrics · Vendor site | From $1,000 per month, billed annually | Not stated | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| Trimble Estimation MEPTrimble · Vendor site | From $1,950 per user per year, billed annually | Not stated | ISO 27001 | Oct 17, 2026 |
| Togal.AITogal.AI · Vendor site | From $299 per user per month, billed annually | Not stated | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
Which field service software uses AI?
Try ServiceM8 first, from $29 per month: the cheapest flat plan of the 14 AI field service tools listed. Suits a one-person trade business starting out: the free plan covers 1 user and 30 jobs a month with AI Smart Helpers, and Starter is $29 a month for unlimited users and 50 jobs. It syncs with Xero, QuickBooks Online and MYOB. The catch: the AI tools work inside ServiceM8's job management, and Starter caps you at 50 jobs a month. QuoteIQ AI Estimator is $29.99 a month on Essentials, billed monthly.
| Tool | Price as stated | Free plan or trial | Compliance it states | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8ServiceM8 · Vendor site | From $29 per month | Free plan, Free trial (14 days) | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| GorillaDesk AI AgentsGorillaDesk · Vendor site | From $49 per month | Free trial (14 days) | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| AI TeamHousecall Pro · Vendor site | From $59 per month, billed annually | Free trial (14 days) | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
| ProjectsForce 360ProjectsForce · Vendor site | From $495 per month | Free trial (14 days) | Not stated | Oct 17, 2026 |
What is the best AI for construction?
Plainscout starts each job with the tool that has the lowest flat monthly price in its list: AI Estimate from Joist for estimating ($8.34 a month, billed annually), Civils.ai for takeoff ($90 a month) and ServiceM8 for field service ($29 a month). No vendor pays for a place, and the right one still depends on your job.
How were these tools picked?
In each job, the pick is the tool with the lowest flat monthly price in that job's full list (a free plan, or a tool made mainly for the job, when none states one). Its table adds the next 3 in the list's order: tools mainly for this job first, then those with a stated starting price (lowest monthly price first), then the most recently checked. No vendor pays for a place. How we order tools.