Describe the buildout the way you would brief your estimator, and your AI builds the proposal: a section per division, with quantity, unit, cost and markup on every line. It lands in "Estimates" as a Draft with the totals calculated.
What to say to your AI
Your AI needs a project or lead to hold the estimate (see How do I have my AI handle commercial construction leads and follow-ups?). A project holds one estimate; if one exists your AI offers a change order instead.
Build an estimate in Projul for [Northgate Plaza Suite 210 Tenant Improvement]. Sections in this order: general conditions, permits and fees, selective demolition, metal stud framing and drywall, doors frames and hardware, acoustical ceilings, flooring and base, painting, casework, mechanical, electrical and low voltage, plumbing, fire sprinkler and fire alarm, specialties, final clean and punch list. General conditions: [project management, 120 hours at $78/hr plus 15%]; [superintendent, 220 hours at $68/hr plus 15%]; [temporary protection and dust barriers, $1,850 plus 15%]; [20-yard dumpsters, 4 each at $675 plus 15%]. Permits and fees: [building permit $4,120, no markup]; [plan review fee $980, no markup]; [permit expediting, 8 hours at $65/hr plus 20%]. Selective demolition: [demolition labor, 96 hours at $52/hr plus 35%]; [ceiling grid and tile removal, 3,200 sq ft at $0.65 plus 25%]; [carpet and base removal, 2,400 sq ft at $0.55 plus 25%]. Metal stud framing and drywall: [3-5/8 inch metal stud partitions, 640 lin ft at $28 plus 25%]; [gypsum board hang tape and finish, 11,800 sq ft at $2.35 plus 20%]; [sound batt insulation, 4,200 sq ft at $0.95 plus 20%]; [in-wall blocking, 24 hours at $58/hr plus 35%]. Doors frames and hardware: [hollow metal frames, 14 each at $185 plus 25%]; [solid core prefinished doors, 14 each at $340 plus 25%]; [lever hardware sets, 14 each at $265 plus 25%]; [door and frame installation, 14 each at $145 plus 30%]. Acoustical ceilings: [15/16 inch grid, 3,200 sq ft at $1.35 plus 25%]; [2x2 acoustical tile, 3,200 sq ft at $1.85 plus 25%]. Flooring and base: [luxury vinyl plank, 1,150 sq ft at $4.85 plus 25%]; [carpet tile, 2,050 sq ft at $3.95 plus 25%]; [4 inch rubber base, 720 lin ft at $2.35 plus 25%]; [floor prep and moisture test, $1,450 plus 20%]. Painting: [walls, two coats, 11,800 sq ft at $0.72 plus 20%]; [doors and frames, 14 each at $65 plus 20%]. Casework: [break room uppers, lowers and solid surface top, 22 lin ft at $385 plus 25%]; [reception transaction top, $2,650 plus 25%]. Mechanical: [HVAC subcontract including 4 VAV boxes, ductwork and test and balance, $46,800 plus 12%]. Electrical and low voltage: [electrical subcontract, $58,400 plus 12%]; [data drops, 38 each at $185 plus 20%]. Plumbing: [plumbing subcontract for the break room sink and the restroom fixture upgrade, $12,900 plus 12%]. Fire sprinkler and fire alarm: [sprinkler head relocations, 26 each at $215 plus 15%]; [fire alarm devices and programming, $9,400 plus 15%]. Specialties: [toilet accessories, 6 each at $95 plus 25%]; [suite and door signage, $1,400 plus 25%]. Final clean and punch list: [final clean, 3,200 sq ft at $0.38 plus 20%]; [punch list labor, 32 hours at $62/hr plus 35%]. Apply our [Nevada] sales tax and tell me the projected total and the total for each section.
Reusing the same proposal on every suite? Have your AI copy your estimate template and adjust quantities.
Sections, alternates and allowances
Every line has a kind, labor, material or other. Sections can nest one level. Save a repeated block as a template and reuse it (see How do I build and reuse estimate, section and line-item templates with my AI?).
For undecided scope, your AI can set up a selection (one option or any number) or an allowance that hides line prices and shows only the section total (see How do I use subsections, selections and display-only sections with my AI?).
What you will see
Your AI asks you to approve each step and reports the estimate number and total when done. In Projul, click "Estimates"; the new estimate sits at the top as a Draft with each section's subtotal shown.
While it is a Draft, keep talking to your AI to adjust numbers, or have it write the introduction and contract text (see How do I have my AI write the introduction and contract text?).
Change orders and things to know
A change order is a new Draft version your AI creates for unforeseen conditions or added scope. A display-only section credits removed scope (see How do I have my AI add a change order?).
Add a change order to [Northgate Plaza Suite 210 Tenant Improvement] in Projul called [Unforeseen conditions above the ceiling]: [remove abandoned ductwork and conduit, 40 hours at $52/hr plus 35%], [relocate existing 4 inch waste line, $2,880 plus 15%], [fire caulking at the existing rated demising wall, 180 lin ft at $9 plus 25%] and [after-hours access and protection, 12 hours at $68/hr plus 15%]. Apply our [Nevada] sales tax.
Note: Tax applies only when you name a rate from your settings (see How does my AI calculate prices, markup and tax?). Publishing, sending and invoicing are Projul-only; your AI reads invoiced amounts but cannot create one (see Which Projul features are not available to my AI yet?).
Once awarded, next comes the build schedule (see How do I have my AI schedule commercial construction crews and jobs?).
Questions? Let's Chat.
support@projul.com
(844) 776-5853