Home Depot launches AI tool to automate contractor material lists

On Monday, The Home Depot announced it’s introducing software for builders, remodelers, and renovators that leverages AI to generate project lists in just minutes. The technology, Material List Builder AI, is one of scores of AI-driven software solutions aimed at increasing operational efficiencies – measured in build-cycle time and money – in the residential construction industry Such innovations – should they reach critical mass among contractors and remodelers – may come as a boost at a time of squeezed margins and operational efficiency chokeholds.  Strategically, Home Depot and its smaller rival Lowe’s have veered more aggressively toward positioning that encroaches on homebuilding industry incumbents in the “pro” segment of residential construction. In 2022, The Builder’s Daily reported: “It’s no news that the two giants have committed and invested strategic focus on the new residential construction market of builders – large and small – for years to varying degrees. Those investments and strategic commitments, especially facing the higher volume builder market, have fluctuated primarily because those production homebuilding accounts presented a specific set of business challenges in distribution logistics, scale, profit margin, and cadencing. “According to one executive with close ties to both the homebuilding enterprise sector and its distribution channel believes that Lowe’s and Home Depot may consider now the moment to encroach on turf Builders FirstSource, US LB...