A survey conducted by Mapei Kft. found that 73 percent of construction professionals have encountered clients who used artificial intelligence (AI) to check or question professional recommendations, the work performed, or pricing. Among respondents, 26 percent said this happens very rarely, another 26 percent encounter it occasionally, and 20 percent face it frequently.
What do clients cite AI for?
According to the respondents, clients most often invoke AI regarding technological solutions (35 percent). Material selection was cited by 31 percent, and required work processes by 25 percent. AI-based arguments were mentioned in pricing by 20 percent of respondents, in causes of defects by 17 percent, and in expected construction durations by 16 percent.
Professionals’ concerns
Markovich Béla, managing director of Mapei Kft., commented on the findings: “A chatbot works from general information. It does not see the condition of the wall, what is under the cladding or the substrate, whether the layer system is appropriate, and what defects appear during demolition. Without these it can at best answer for an ideal case, while in construction the ideal case is the rarest.”
The survey found that 29 percent of construction professionals are not bothered at all if a client consults AI, 22 percent are only slightly bothered, 27 percent find it moderately troubling, and 23 percent are quite or very bothered. The most frequent complaint among more critical respondents is when clients treat a general or incorrect AI answer as an expert opinion. Several professionals reported that clients sometimes trust a chatbot more than a practitioner with many years of experience.
They said such misplaced trust can lead to unrealistic price expectations, unachievable deadlines, or technological requirements that are inappropriate for the situation. One respondent put it bluntly: AI would "solve everything, but it does not take responsibility for the consequences and the defects that arise afterwards."
How professionals use AI themselves
Among the surveyed professionals, 36 percent use AI at least occasionally, 27 percent have tried it once or twice, 13 percent use it weekly, 7 percent daily, and 17 percent have never used it.
Usage purposes include searching for professional information about raw materials, construction technologies and manufacturers’ recommendations (44 percent). For cost calculations, determining material needs or preparing quotations, 22 percent use AI; 21 percent use it to explore technical problems and troubleshoot. Eleven percent employ AI to learn about new technologies and for professional development, and 10 percent use it for planning work processes.
Additionally, 18 percent use AI for content creation (for example social media posts and videos) and 17 percent for marketing. Sixteen percent get help from AI for drafting emails, messages and offers for clients, as well as for preparing work logs, minutes and other administrative documents.
Why this matters
The survey highlights that while AI can be a useful tool in professional work, its use introduces new tensions between clients and builders. Some professionals leverage AI for information and administrative support, but others are concerned that clients misinterpret or over-rely on AI’s often general answers. In practice, this can become a source of technical, financial and scheduling conflicts during construction projects.
Conclusion
Mapei Kft.’s research indicates that the introduction of artificial intelligence to construction projects brings both opportunities and challenges: it increases access to information but can create friction when clients view AI as infallible. Improving communication between professionals and clients and raising awareness of AI’s limitations are important steps to reduce such conflicts.
