Smarter AI use starts with the right guardrails

AI is moving fast in construction. Contractors are already finding ways to use it for procurement tasks - drafting scopes, summarising contracts, comparing quotes, or cutting down on repetitive admin.

When applied well, it can speed up decisions, improve accuracy, and free up commercial teams to focus on the work that really drives margin.

The potential is huge. Early adopters in construction report measurable gains in efficiency, faster workflows, and stronger negotiation positions.

Beyond time savings, AI offers the chance to make better-informed commercial decisions - reducing the reliance on guesswork or limited quote coverage.

In our 2025 AI in Construction survey, we asked contractors what their biggest AI barriers are. These were some of the top concerns:

• Security & Privacy (25%): “Data leaks, misuse of sensitive information.” - Quantity Surveyor, UK
• Accuracy & Reliability (23.8%): “AI could miss something important that will lead to massive costs.” - QS, UK
• Overreliance & Skills Erosion (17.5%): “People using AI to get answers without understanding how the answer is generated.” - Senior QS, UK

These aren’t theoretical concerns. In procurement especially, a misplaced output or data leak could impact subcontractor relationships, compliance obligations, and project profitability.

At the same time, most contractors are still at the early stages of adoption. 77.5% of AI use today is for general administration - meeting minutes, diary summaries, drafting comms. 

That’s low-risk, but also low-value compared to what’s possible. Few teams have yet taken the step of embedding AI into decision-grade tasks. Resources like The Contractor’s Guide to Leveraging AI provide practical industry-specific guidance on effectively adopting AI.

While AI adoption is growing, very few businesses have outlined guardrails or best practices. Most use today is ad hoc - helpful in parts, but inconsistent and open to risk. 

Without clear rules, contractors risk moving too quickly and leaving themselves exposed.

If contractors want to capture the benefits of AI without costly missteps, setting out practical boundaries is essential. Clear guidance builds confidence, ensures consistency, and helps commercial teams use new tools effectively without second-guessing what’s safe.

To make that easier, we’ve created a one-pager: AI Guidelines & Best Practices for Contractors. It distills the key rules teams should follow to unlock AI’s upside - without creating new risks.

👉 Download the guidelines and give your team a framework for safe, smart AI adoption.