The traditional consumer journey from initial home project idea to completed build is notoriously inefficient, opaque and cash intensive. Retailers and construction managers are now turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to create a streamlined, digitally native decision path that dictates where and how money is spent.
AI Assists Employees, Shoppers
Lowe’s has deployed Mylow Companion across more than 1,700 stores, marking one of the largest rollouts of an AI assistant for in-store retail associates. The handheld tool gives employees real-time access to product specifications, project instructions and inventory status.
Lowe’s said associates now rely on the system to help shoppers compare materials, clarify installation steps and locate products in categories that typically require deeper expertise, such as plumbing, electrical and building supplies. The tool also gives newer employees the ability to answer questions that previously depended on the judgment and tenure of senior staff, narrowing the experience gap on the sales floor.
“Mylow Companion is another example of Lowe’s living out its commitment to elevate the customer and associate experience,” said Seemantini Godbole, Lowe’s chief digital and information officer. “Whether associates have been on the job for five weeks or five years, they can be confident they’re delivering expert-level advice and assistance, and customers can trust they’re getting the best service and experience of any retailer.”
Previously, as reported by PYMNTS, Lowe’s introduced a customer-facing version of the technology, called Mylow, on its website and mobile app in association with OpenAI. Customers can describe their project goals and receive AI-generated recommendations on materials, preparation steps and possible approaches.
Lowe’s said that both versions operate on the same intelligence layer, allowing users to start planning at home and continue conversations inside stores with associates who access the same information. The company positions the Mylow ecosystem to offer consistent guidance across digital and physical channels.
DIY Research and Contractor Takeoffs
Home Depot also expanded its AI portfolio with two tools this year. The company launched Magic Apron, a conversational system designed to help customers research home improvement projects online. Home Depot said the tool offers explanations of product differences, outlines project requirements and assists with early-stage planning. The company positioned Magic Apron to give customers on-demand support when they are evaluating whether a project is feasible and what materials they would need.
Then last month, Home Depot released Blueprint Takeoffs, an AI tool that reads architectural drawings for single-family homes and produces structured material lists and cost estimates. The company said contractors upload their blueprints and receive takeoffs within days.
According to Home Depot, the system identifies framing, roofing, window and door requirements along with other quantity-based components used in bidding. The retailer stated that Blueprint Takeoffs connects directly to Home Depot’s purchasing channels, allowing professionals to move from review to ordering without leaving the platform. The tool extends the company’s role deeper into the early planning stages of residential construction.
PYMNTS also reported Home Depot’s launch of a project-planning platform in September that lets contractors create materials lists for all their projects, track all orders and deliveries, and set their delivery preferences. Retailers aren’t the only businesses looking to tap into preconstruction planning.
AI for Drawing Reviews
In December, Procore, a construction management company, added new AI features through Procore Helix, its intelligence layer to better see possible challenges and cost savings for projects. The company said the platform can analyze construction drawings to identify rooms, calculate square footage and generate automated area takeoffs. Procore said that these capabilities reduce manual review time and give teams an earlier understanding of material quantities needed for planning and procurement.
The platform includes AI tools that summarize long specification manuals, search across project files and draft standard documents such as daily logs and meeting summaries. Procore said these capabilities assist project managers responsible for coordinating documentation across multiple teams. The system can also analyze job-site photos and surface information relevant to safety and progress reporting. According to the company, these features allow construction teams to retrieve information more efficiently and reduce administrative workloads.
Source: https://www.pymnts.com/