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Stop counting, start winning: How AI is transforming your estimating workflow

2 minutes read
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November 3, 2025

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Summary

Still spending hours on takeoff and manual counts? There’s a better way. AI-driven estimating tools from Trimble handle the tedious parts—so you can bid faster, smarter and with greater confidence.

In the competitive world of electrical contracting, your ability to create fast, accurate and profitable bids is your greatest asset. Traditional estimating and takeoff methods are notoriously time-consuming and prone to error, forcing you to choose between speed and accuracy. But what if you no longer had to make that choice?

Trimble is pioneering a better way to work by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) directly into our estimating solutions. Annually, our AI features have saved estimators over 3,500 hours, allowing them to focus on high-value tasks. We're leveraging the power of AI to transform how you approach estimating and takeoff, helping you save significant time while gaining a new level of confidence in your bids.

 Electrical plan with Auto Count of outlets and devices displayed

The AI advantage: From tedious takeoffs to time-saving workflows

Wouldn’t your job be easier if the most tedious parts are handled for you, freeing you up to focus on strategic analysis and bid optimization? That's the world we're building with Trimble LiveCount and Trimble Estimation MEP.

Dialog box for selecting LiveCount AI processes on electrical drawings

Smart tools for smarter estimates

Since mid-2024, we've rolled out powerful AI enhancements across our estimating solutions, giving you an intelligent partner in your workflow:

  • AI-powered takeoff: Your takeoff process is now faster and more accurate. Our AI-powered Automate Takeoff feature can now automatically detect and count outlets, switches and fire alarm systems. This means you can count thousands of items in minutes, not hours, and dramatically reduce the risk of human error. Our AI has already identified, classified and counted more than 200,000 objects monthly. This functionality is available in both LiveCount (part of Accubid Classic Hosted/Accubid Anywhere Named-User subscriptions) and Estimation MEP Pro to streamline your process, wherever you are.

  • Automatic Drawing Scale Detection: Eliminate the time-consuming and error-prone process of manually setting drawing scales. Our AI now automatically detects and sets the correct drawing scale when you upload a drawing. With an average of 95% of drawing scales auto-set by existing users, you can be confident that your takeoff is based on the correct dimensions every single time.

  • A collaborative AI that works with you: The future of AI is collaborative. You can now contribute to the intelligence of our platform by suggesting symbols for our AI to recognize in the future. This feedback loop ensures our technology evolves to meet your specific needs, making your tools smarter with every use.

Form for submitting AI symbol request for duplex receptacle

The manual tasks that once slowed you down no longer have to be a bottleneck. With Trimble AI enhancements in LiveCount and Estimation MEP, you can produce highly accurate estimates faster than ever, giving you a distinct competitive advantage. It's time to build more profitable bids and connect to a better way of working.

Ready to see how AI can transform your workflow? Learn more about Trimble's estimating and takeoff solutions today.

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Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it's helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress.