garvyHow it works
From bid set to proposal, with every number traceable
An AI estimator is only useful if you can check its work faster than you could have done it. Here is what Garvy does, in order.
- 1
You drop in the bid set
Drawings, specs and addenda, as they came from the GC. You don't sort sheets or pick pages first.
- 2
Garvy sorts the set by discipline
He reads the sheet index and title blocks, picks the sheets that belong to your trade, and reads everything else (general notes, specs, other trades' sheets) so he understands the job your scope sits in.
- 3
He sets the scale and measures
Each sheet's scale comes from its title block or graphic scale, and you can confirm it from a list of common scales. Then he counts and measures your trade and marks up the sheets so you can see exactly what was taken off.
- 4
Every quantity is tagged
Each line in the takeoff points back to the sheet and spot it came from. Anything measured, counted, assumed or inferred is labeled that way, so you never have to wonder where a number came from.
- 5
He flags what he isn't sure of
Missing sizes, types not in a schedule, plans that disagree with details: Garvy lists them as questions instead of filling the gap with a guess. If he can't answer it from the documents, it's probably an RFI.
- 6
He prices it and builds your proposal
Pricing comes from your rates and price book. The proposal follows your company's past proposals: your format, your exclusions, your clarifications, written the way you write them.
Where you review
Your estimator signs off. Garvy does the counting.
Nothing goes out without a person looking at it. Garvy is built so the review is the fast part.
- The needs-review list. Only the items Garvy is unsure of, each with the sheet and location. Everything else stays out of your way.
- Marked-up sheets. Thumbnails of every sheet with what was taken off drawn on it, so a missed room or wall type shows up at a glance.
- Tagged line items. Every quantity links to its source, and anything assumed is labeled as an assumption.
- The proposal in plain language. Garvy explains the price, the big line items, the exclusions and the questions that would change the number.
- Corrections that stick. Tell Garvy what you changed and why. He applies it to this bid and remembers it for the next one.
What it can't do yet
Where AI estimating stops
Any vendor that says its software needs no review is selling you risk. Here is where Garvy hands it back to you.
Replace your estimator's judgment
Garvy doesn't know the GC, the site, the schedule pressure or how hungry you are for the job. Bid strategy and means and methods stay with you.
Read what isn't on the page
Bad scans, sheets marked not to scale and missing details lower confidence. Garvy flags those sheets instead of guessing at them.
Know your company on day one
Garvy learns from your past bids and proposals. With only a few to learn from, expect to review and correct more in the first jobs.
Price better than your price book
Prices come from your rates and price book. If those are out of date, the proposal will be too.
Read models
Garvy works from the PDF drawing set and specs, the way bids actually arrive. He doesn't open Revit or other BIM models.
By trade
Every trade takes off differently
Garvy takes off only your trade's sheets and reads the rest for context. Here is what that looks like for each trade, including the questions that usually turn into RFIs.
Electrical estimating
E-series power, lighting and systems plans, single-line and riser diagrams, panel schedules and the fixture schedule.
Electrical takeoff with Garvy →HVAC estimating
M-series duct and piping plans, equipment schedules, air device schedules, details and the mechanical legend.
HVAC takeoff with Garvy →Plumbing estimating
P-series plans, isometric and riser diagrams, the plumbing fixture schedule, details and the plumbing legend.
Plumbing takeoff with Garvy →Drywall estimating
A-series floor plans, the partition type legend, reflected ceiling plans, wall sections and details.
Drywall takeoff with Garvy →Questions
AI estimating, answered plainly
What is AI estimating software?
Software that reads construction drawings and specs, does the quantity takeoff, and helps build the estimate and proposal. The useful ones show where every number came from and tell you what they couldn't figure out. Garvy is built for subcontractors and learns from each company's own past bids.
How is this different from on-screen takeoff software?
On-screen takeoff tools give you a digital ruler: you still click every wall, count every fixture and build the estimate yourself. Garvy does the counting and measuring, and you review what he did instead of doing it from scratch.
Will AI takeoff be accurate enough to bid from?
You should never bid from a takeoff you haven't reviewed, whether a person or software did it. Garvy is built for that review: every quantity is tied to its sheet, the sheets are marked up, and anything uncertain is listed for you to check first.
Does Garvy work for general contractors?
Yes. GCs can use Garvy across trades and to level sub bids against the documents. These pages focus on subcontractors because that's who does the most takeoffs.
Is Garvy available now?
Garvy is in early access with a small group of contractors. Join the early access list and we'll reach out when there's room for your company.
Throw Garvy your next bid.
Garvy is in early access with a small group of contractors. Leave your work email and we'll reach out when there's room for your company.
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