A survey by Mapei Kft. found that 73 percent of construction professionals have encountered clients who questioned their work, pricing or recommendations by referring to artificial intelligence (chatbots). Among respondents, 20 percent said this happens often, 26 percent occasionally, and another 26 percent very rarely.
Clients most frequently challenge choices about technological solutions, material selection and required workflows based on chatbot answers. Many also compare AI-generated information with contractors’ pricing, explanations for defects, and estimated completion times.
According to Markovich Béla, managing director of Mapei Kft., the root of the problem is that chatbots cannot see the actual condition of walls, the layers beneath finishes or hidden defects revealed during demolition, so they typically assume ideal conditions. That leads clients to form unrealistic price expectations, unachievable deadlines and technological demands that cannot be implemented in the given situation.
Some respondents pointed out that lay clients tend to treat general — and sometimes incorrect — AI responses as definitive expert opinions, and are more inclined to believe the machine than professionals with years of experience. Nevertheless, the survey also shows that the issue does not uniformly bother workers: more than half are not or only slightly troubled by clients’ AI-based inquiries, and only 23 percent find it distinctly annoying.
Professionals themselves use AI tools
Use of AI among the surveyed professionals is substantial: 13 percent use AI weekly, 7 percent daily, and an additional 27 percent have tried it at least once. Taken together, nearly half of respondents have engaged with AI tools in their work.
Most use these tools to look up technical information, materials and technologies. Roughly one-fifth employ AI for cost calculations, material quantity estimations, preparing quotes and troubleshooting. Software is also commonly used for administrative tasks — drafting emails, work logs and minutes — as well as for marketing and social media content creation.
Why this matters
Misinterpretations driven by chatbot outputs can affect project execution, budgets and schedules, especially when clients lack knowledge of site-specific conditions or hidden technical risks. The Mapei survey underscores that while AI can aid information gathering and administrative work, on-site inspection and professional judgment remain essential for responsible decision-making in construction.
Note: An AI assistant contributed to preparing this article; the final content was edited and verified by our journalist.
