Blu Estimator is an AI-powered estimating assistant in Buildxact that helps you create and update estimates faster by using reference estimates, uploaded plans, and documents.
With Blu Estimator, you can use an existing estimate as a reference, provide instructions on what you want changed, and have Blu update your estimate based on your requirements.
Blu can also read plans and documents, answer questions about them, and help add relevant information directly into your estimate costings.
Watch the video below for a walkthrough of Blu Estimatoror see the full detail below.
Creating an estimate using a reference estimate
Blu Estimator allows you to create a new estimate using an existing estimate as a reference.
To get started:
Select Reference Estimate.
Choose an existing estimate to use as your reference.
Add a prompt describing how you want the estimate changed.
Your prompt can include details such as:
Changing the project type
Updating categories
Adjusting quantities
Modifying pricing
Adding specific requirements
Blu will review your existing estimate, including categories and pricing, and use your instructions to generate an updated version.
Reviewing Blu's estimate changes
Once Blu has generated the updated estimate, you can review the proposed changes before applying them.
The Blu Assistant panel will show:
Your original prompt
Blu's response
The changes made to your estimate
You can review the changes and choose to:
Accept all changes
Reject changes
Edit the estimate manually
Blu will show updates across your estimate categories, including changes to:
Quantities
Pricing
Cost items
Labour
Once accepted, the changes will be applied directly to your estimate.
Using the Blu Assistant panel
The Blu Assistant panel allows you to continue interacting with Blu while working on your estimate.
You can:
Ask questions
Provide additional instructions
Upload documents
Request changes to your estimate
If you close the assistant panel, you can reopen it at any time by selecting the Blu Assistant button.
Uploading plans and documents
Blu Estimator can read and understand uploaded plans and documents.
You can upload documents such as:
Building plans
Electrical plans
Appliance specifications
Hardware schedules
Other project documents
Once uploaded, Blu can analyse the information and use it to help update your estimate.
Adding information from plans into your estimate
Instead of manually reviewing documents and entering information into your costings, you can ask Blu to add information directly from your uploaded files.
For example:
"Add the appliance schedule to my estimate."
Blu will:
Read the uploaded document
Identify relevant items
Add them into the correct estimate categories
Update pricing and quantities where available
Include labour where applicable
You can then review and accept these changes before they are added to your estimate.
Asking questions about plans
Blu can also help you understand your project documents by answering questions about the information contained within them.
Examples include:
Finding specific details within plans
Clarifying information
Locating items or specifications
Summarising sections of documents
You can ask Blu questions such as:
"Where is this detail located on the plans?"
Blu will help identify the relevant information and direct you to the correct location.
If you have any questions about Blu Estimator, please contact our support team.