Transforming Construction Estimation with Advanced AI and Automated Takeoff Solutions
Today, we’re excited to announce the release of PlanSwift 2026, delivering groundbreaking innovations that will transform how estimators, contractors, and project managers approach construction takeoff and cost estimation. This major update introduces powerful AI-assisted takeoff capabilities, real-time cost forecasting, and enhanced collaboration tools that significantly boost productivity and accuracy while maintaining the intuitive user experience PlanSwift users expect.
AI-Powered Takeoff Assistant: Your Intelligent Estimation Partner
The centerpiece of PlanSwift 2026 is our revolutionary new Takeoff Assistant, an AI-powered tool that understands construction documents and helps automate complex quantity takeoff while ensuring accurate material calculations and cost projections.
“Takeoff Assistant represents the biggest leap forward in construction estimation productivity since the introduction of digital takeoff software,” says Michael Roberts, Senior Director of PlanSwift Product Development. “It works alongside estimators, learning from their techniques and preferences to become an increasingly valuable bidding partner.”
Intelligent Plan Recognition
Takeoff Assistant analyzes construction drawings and automatically identifies building elements, dimensions, and quantities across multiple plan sheets. The system recognizes wall types, door and window schedules, finish schedules, and specification references to create comprehensive material lists without manual counting or measuring.
Natural Language Estimation Commands
PlanSwift 2026 introduces a powerful natural language interface that allows you to describe takeoff requirements in plain language. Simply type or speak commands like “calculate the total square footage of 5/8-inch drywall in all interior walls” or “identify all Type A doors and total the material cost with installation,” and watch as PlanSwift executes your request with precise measurements and calculations.
Automated Specification Analysis
The new intelligent specification system automatically extracts key information from project documents to identify material requirements, quality standards, and installation methods that impact costs. The system ensures no specification details are overlooked during the estimation process.
Enhanced Cost Analysis and Bid Optimization
PlanSwift 2026 takes estimation accuracy to new heights with features designed for detailed cost analysis and competitive bid preparation.
Real-Time Cost Forecasting
Our next-generation cost engine provides instant feedback on project costs as takeoff proceeds, allowing estimators to see the financial impact of each building element and system. The dynamic dashboards show material, labor, equipment, and overhead costs with automated alerts for high-cost items or potential estimation errors.
Market-Aware Pricing Database
PlanSwift 2026 now connects to regional material and labor pricing databases that update in real-time based on market conditions. The system automatically adjusts estimates based on project location, construction timeline, and known market volatility factors to ensure bids remain competitive while protecting profit margins.
Bid Scenario Modeling
New scenario planning tools allow estimators to create multiple bid variants with different material selections, construction methods, or scheduling approaches. The system automatically compares scenarios based on cost, timeline, risk factors, and profit potential to identify the optimal bidding strategy.
Advanced Collaboration and Project Management Integration
Cloud-Based Team Estimation
Multiple estimators can now work simultaneously on the same takeoff with real-time synchronization. The system intelligently divides projects by areas, systems, or trades while maintaining a unified cost model, enabling true parallel workflows that significantly accelerate bid preparation for complex projects.
Contractor-Subcontractor Portal
PlanSwift 2026 introduces a secure collaboration platform where general contractors can share relevant portions of takeoffs with subcontractors, receive detailed quotes, and integrate sub bids directly into the master estimate. The system maintains version control and audit trails for all collaborator inputs.
Seamless Project Lifecycle Integration
Completed estimates now flow seamlessly into project management platforms, procurement systems, and field management tools. As projects progress, actual costs and quantities can sync back to PlanSwift, creating a continuous feedback loop that improves future estimation accuracy.
Performance and Technology Enhancements
Next-Generation Processing Engine
Our completely rebuilt calculation engine delivers up to 12x faster performance when working with large plan sets and complex projects. The system intelligently optimizes memory usage and processing power to maintain responsiveness regardless of project size or complexity.
3D Model Integration
PlanSwift 2026 now accepts BIM models directly from major design platforms, automatically extracting quantities, dimensions, and material specifications. The system seamlessly transitions between 2D plans and 3D models, allowing estimators to work with whatever format provides the most accurate information for each trade.
Enhanced Mobile Experience
The redesigned mobile application allows estimators to review takeoffs, adjust quantities, and update costs from any location. On-site verification tools use device cameras to confirm actual conditions against estimated quantities, flagging discrepancies for immediate review.
Project Risk Analysis and Contingency Planning
Intelligent Risk Assessment
New risk analysis tools automatically evaluate project complexity, document completeness, and historical accuracy factors to suggest appropriate contingency levels. The system identifies specific high-risk line items that might benefit from additional allowances or alternative pricing approaches.
Weather and Seasonal Impact Modeling
PlanSwift 2026 incorporates historical weather data and seasonal factors to predict potential schedule impacts and associated costs for projects with extended durations. This helps estimators account for seasonal labor rate fluctuations, weather delays, and material availability challenges.
Change Order Prediction
Advanced pattern recognition identifies potential design gaps or coordination issues in construction documents that typically lead to change orders. The system suggests proactive clarifications or alternate pricing strategies to protect profit margins from unexpected scope changes.
Early Adopters Share Their Experience
Companies participating in our beta program have already seen impressive results with PlanSwift 2026.
Hensel Phelps, a leading general contractor, reports significant productivity gains. “The AI-powered Takeoff Assistant has reduced our estimation time for standard commercial projects by approximately 60%,” says Jennifer Martinez, Chief Estimator at Hensel Phelps. “This allows our team to bid more projects while providing more detailed analysis for each opportunity.”
Suffolk Construction highlights the accuracy improvements. “The intelligent plan recognition capabilities have transformed our quantity takeoff process,” notes David Chen, VP of Preconstruction at Suffolk. “We’ve seen estimation errors reduced by 45% and significantly more consistent results across different estimators working on similar projects.”
Availability and Licensing
PlanSwift 2026 will be available starting July 1, 2025:
- Available in Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions
- Flexible single-user and team subscription options
- Included in Trimble Construction One platform
- Special upgrade pricing for existing license holders
Current PlanSwift subscribers will receive an automatic upgrade to PlanSwift 2026 as part of their subscription benefits.
Getting Started with PlanSwift 2026
To help estimators quickly master the new features, we’re providing comprehensive resources:
- Online courses through Trimble Construction Education
- Specialized training webinars for different construction sectors
- Trade-specific usage guides for specialty contractors
- Migration assistance and workflow optimization services
Looking Forward
“PlanSwift 2026 represents our vision for the future of construction estimation that seamlessly blends human expertise with artificial intelligence while extending beyond traditional takeoff boundaries,” says Roberts. “We’re empowering estimators and contractors to achieve unprecedented levels of accuracy and efficiency while reducing the barriers between preconstruction planning and project execution.”
This release marks the beginning of an exciting new era for PlanSwift, with our development team already working on additional AI capabilities, expanded pricing intelligence, and deeper integration with the broader Trimble Construction ecosystem.
PlanSwift 2026 Training Course
Join us to explore our PlanSwift 2026 Course, featuring the most advanced version of the industry’s leading construction takeoff and estimation software. This comprehensive program is designed to help estimators, project managers, and contractors master cutting-edge features like AI-powered quantity takeoff, natural language commands, cost forecasting tools, and collaborative estimation environments. Whether you’re working on residential, commercial, or infrastructure projects, you’ll learn how to optimize your bidding process using intelligent tools that enhance accuracy, reduce takeoff time, and improve collaboration across preconstruction teams. With practical examples and hands-on training, this course ensures you’re fully equipped to harness the power of PlanSwift 2026 in your bidding process and leverage its new capabilities to win more profitable projects.
