Estimating software reads a drawing in minutes. It can’t tell you how the pipe, ductwork, and equipment go together, or what that takes in labor. Here’s what AI misses across HVAC, mechanical, and plumbing, and why an experienced estimator is still the one who hands you a number you can bid.

We can directly send you Wendes software files for easy adjustments, or provide complete bid reports and proposals if you don’t have estimating software. Let us handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on winning more jobs.

We run into many smaller Mechanical / HVAC / Plumbing companies that have the talent to get the work done but are unsure of how to estimate those jobs. Here at Enlightenment, we use Wendes to help these partners bid jobs that they are uncomfortable bidding. Many times, these clients have the years of experience installing but may have never bid those commercial jobs themselves. We have a team of experienced estimators that can help put a good bid together for our clients.

Recently we have seen AI come on the estimating scene. Many companies have tried to lean into AI for their Mechanical and Plumbing Estimating. One of the large main stream AI platforms can calculate out numbers for commercial jobs. When this was brought to our attention by one of our clients, we dove into creating an AI account and putting this to the test. We took a job that we estimated in our system using estimating software, we plugged the plans and specs into AI. Then we plugged our labor, profit % and overhead % that we used on the project. It also allowed us to ask for current commodities pricing to be incorporated into the bid.

Bielanski joined Electrical Enlightenment in 2010 as an Electrical Estimator and then became the Estimating Manager. He brings over 20 years of electrical experience to the team and has extensive knowledge of estimating software. “I am excited to take on the role of General Manager and to further support the company on its path to continued success and growth.”