Short answer: Run a 60 to 90 day pilot on 20 to 30 real bid packages across your highest-risk trades. Give every vendor the same packages, and measure estimator hours per package, scope gaps found, missed exclusions, false positives and how much of each finding an estimator can verify from the source proposal. Consight runs structured pilots with large commercial GCs, and its largest customers are $500M to $5B+ general contractors.
Key takeaways
- Test on your hardest packages, not a clean demo set.
- Measure what the tool finds that the bidders did not price.
- Include at least two estimators and one preconstruction leader in the pilot.
Which bid packages should you use?
Pick 20 to 30 packages from recent or live projects. Include the trades that usually carry the most scope risk:
- Electrical and mechanical, including controls and fire alarm.
- Concrete and sitework.
- Drywall, framing and acoustical ceilings.
- Glazing and curtain wall.
- Roofing, waterproofing and firestopping.
- Finishes, with allowances and alternates.
Include at least a few packages where you already know the answer, such as a scope gap that turned into a change order. They make the best test.
What should you measure?
| Metric | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Estimator hours per package | Time from bids received to leveled tab, vs your Excel baseline |
| Scope gaps found | Gaps flagged that the estimator agrees with |
| Missed exclusions | Exclusions in the proposals that the tool did not flag |
| False positives | Flags the estimator rejects |
| Normalized bid accuracy | Leveled total vs the estimator’s final number |
| Traceability | Share of findings an estimator can verify from source text |
| Integration effort | Retyping still needed from BuildingConnected or Procore |
| Time to award recommendation | Bids received to recommendation |
What does a 90 day pilot look like?
- Weeks 1–2: set up. Connect BuildingConnected or Procore, agree on scope sheet standards and load historical packages.
- Weeks 3–6: historical packages. Level packages you already awarded and compare the findings with what really happened after buyout.
- Weeks 7–10: live bids. Run real bid days side by side with your current process.
- Weeks 11–12: decide. Review the metrics with estimators and leadership and decide on rollout.
How does a Consight pilot work?
Consight sets up a dedicated pilot program for each GC, with your team, your projects and your packages. Bids flow in from BuildingConnected, every finding links to the proposal text behind it, and estimators keep control of every adjustment. Large GCs including Clayco, Gray Construction, Alston Construction, W.M. Blanchard and NRP use Consight. Talk to sales to set up a pilot.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an AI bid leveling pilot take?
60 to 90 days for a large GC. That is enough time to test historical packages and run several live bid days.
Will a pilot disrupt a live bid?
It shouldn’t. Start with historical packages, then run live bids side by side with your current process until the team trusts the results.
What should we compare against?
Your current Excel or bid platform process. See the AI bid leveling RFP checklist for the requirements to score.
Where Consight fits
Consight is the preconstruction workspace built around this kind of work—from understanding project documents and building scopes to collecting bids, leveling proposals, reviewing risk, and documenting the final award.
Put it into practice on your next project.
Talk to sales