New research has revealed 18% of brickies use digital tools at least six times a day. And more than a third admitted it would be “difficult” to do their jobs without the latest tech
Builders are going hi-tech and adding AI to their toolboxes. New research has revealed 18% of brickies use digital tools at least six times a day.
And more than a third admitted it would be “difficult” to do their jobs without the latest tech. Almost one in three tradespeople said they now rely on AI to work out materials and labour costs.
Lisa Ewens, from accounting software firm Sage, which carried out the research, said: “For many, these tools are becoming as much an essential for keeping businesses running as a spirit level or a chisel, with sole traders relying on them to communicate with their customers, generate quotes, issue invoices and make payments.”
The poll also showed more than two fifths of building bosses used digital tools to simplify recordkeeping, file taxes and chase late payments.
And more than a quarter used it for project ideas and a quarter for assessing problems.
Plumbers were most likely to tap up AI for money-related tasks.
And builders, sparkies and plumbers who ran their own firms were more likely to use apps like ChatGPT every day than admin staff.
Stuart Bogazzi, who runs Oak Sure Construction in south London, said: “Digital tools are really helpful for … calculations.
“I’ll enter the measurements of a space and it will tell me how much concrete I need and where I can buy it cheapest.
“It has helped me find suppliers I would never have found otherwise.
“I also use Sage digital tools for 90 per cent of my accountancy … I used to spend around three hours a week doing admin and now that’s down to about 20 minutes.”
The highest use of AI was found to be engineers, with 91% turning to it daily. Hairdressers and beauty suppliers were also regular users.
The most common tasks were found to be probing data, writing emails and messaging customers.