AI in Construction: Insights from 2025 industry survey

AI is now a regular topic across commercial teams - but how do contractors actually feel about it? Are they actually using AI, and how?

We ran a survey with contractors across the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, with the majority of respondents working as Quantity Surveyors, Contracts Administrators and Project Managers at mid-to-large firms.

Below is a snapshot of what we found, full results can be accessed here.

1) Contractors are testing AI - but maturity is still early

• 88.75% of contractors are experimenting with / using AI in some capacity.
• Fewer than 25% say they use AI for high-value, decision-making tasks.

What it means: Interest is high, but consistent, embedded usage is still developing. There’s significant opportunity as more construction-specific AI solutions emerge and teams grow in confidence.

2) The top barriers to adoption (and what teams are saying)

Contractors highlighted three key blockers:

• Skills & training - 47% (top barrier)
• Privacy & data security - 35%
• Lack of time / competing priorities - 33.8%

What we’re hearing from respondents:

• “The tools are there, but people don’t know how to use them properly.” - Contracts Administrator, Australia
• “Security. Where does the data go? Who has access?” - Project Engineer, Australia

What it means: Teams are keen to use AI, but they need time and support to learn safe, sensible workflows. Resources like The Contractor’s Guide to Leveraging AI can help contractors kickstart AI adoption with the right approach and tools from day one.

3) Where contractors think AI could have the biggest impact in procurement

When asked where AI could make the biggest difference, three areas stood out:

Quote & tender comparisons - 43.8%

“If all the data was uploaded, AI could compare quotes and flag anomalies - we’d just do the final check.” Contract Administrator, NZ

Scope & document analysis - 30%

“Alignment of scope across contract documents - AI to extract and organise.” Senior QS, UK “Review of specs for unusual scope items; flag discrepancies between drawings & specs.” Senior QS, UK

Efficiency & admin reduction - 23.8%

“It’s about getting rid of the double-handling - templates, re-entry, versioning.” Project Manager, Australia

What it means: Contractors are focused on practical, everyday workflows - where AI can read, align and compare information to save time and reduce risk.

The road ahead for AI in procurement

Contractors are curious and pragmatic about AI. Most teams are testing tools, but consistent, decision-grade use is still emerging.

As we move through 2025, the trajectory is clear: AI in construction won’t be a side experiment, it will become part of day-to-day processes. 

The greatest gains will come from tools that embed seamlessly into workflows, e.g. scopes, quotes, and risk identification.

For contractors, the challenge isn’t whether AI will be useful - it’s how quickly teams can build the skills, safeguards, and habits to make it a trusted part of everyday decision-making.

Access the full industry survey findings

Access the full breakdown - ranked opportunities, barrier details, and respondent quotes to share with your team.