Beam AI review: AI takeoff and estimating software for contractors and suppliers. Annual licenses start at $8K per trade. See features, plans, and fit.
Researched and fact-checked by Bartu Cavusoglu · Updated October 26, 2026
Beam AI, also known as iBeam, is cloud-based AI takeoff and construction estimating software for commercial contractors, suppliers, and distributors across construction and field services. It reads project drawings and specifications, identifies material quantities, and delivers takeoffs in formats such as Excel and PDF.
The company says more than 1,200 construction and field service businesses in the US and Canada use it. It offers two ways to work: a Done For You service with QA-checked takeoffs, and Do It Yourself software for selected trades. Beyond takeoffs, it adds estimating and bid management in the same platform.
In the Done For You workflow, a team uploads PDF plans, specifications, legends, and supporting documents, then confirms the quantities it needs and adds project-specific instructions. The AI extracts quantities, and every takeoff is QA-checked before delivery. Beam AI states that results arrive in 24-72 hours and that estimates follow the customer's own pricing and workflows.
In the Do It Yourself workflow, estimators run AI takeoffs themselves for HVAC, plumbing, and steel, validate the quantities, and generate estimates. Field service teams can instead use aerial imagery to measure lawns, pavements, sidewalks, and parking lots. The platform is cloud-based through the iBeam Portal, so no on-premise installation is needed.
Beam AI reads drawings, notes, legends, and specifications, and its pricing page lists auto-addenda detection to speed revision tracking. Multiple takeoffs can be processed in parallel, which the company ties to scaling capacity without adding headcount. Outputs include Excel estimates across all trades, with in-platform estimating for HVAC and plumbing.
Bid management captures invitations to bid from an inbox and tracks bid statuses, due dates, owners, RFIs, and addenda in one view. Aerial takeoffs handle maintenance work, while blueprint takeoffs generate material quantities for landscaping and paving projects. Free, unlimited, on-demand training is included with the Do It Yourself plan.
Beam AI, also known as iBeam, is cloud-based AI takeoff and construction estimating software. It reads drawings and specifications, identifies material quantities, and delivers takeoffs in formats such as Excel and PDF. It also offers estimating and bid management tools.
Beam AI is sold as an annual license. Do It Yourself for construction plans starts at $8K per year per trade, Done For You for construction plans starts at $25K per year, and Done For You aerial images starts at $10K per year per trade. Enterprise pricing is custom.
The sources do not list a free plan or free trial. The site offers a free guided tour and a demo, and says new customers can get their first AI takeoff done after talking to the team.
Listed trades include HVAC/mechanical, plumbing, electrical contractors and suppliers, concrete and rebar, structural steel, civil, utility and earthwork, roofing, masonry, flooring, painting, drywall, insulation, lumber, demolition, landscaping, paving, snow, and facilities maintenance. Self-serve takeoffs are listed for HVAC, plumbing, and steel.
Beam AI states that Done For You takeoffs and estimates are delivered in 24-72 hours. Each takeoff is QA-checked before delivery.
Yes. Field service contractors can use aerial imagery to generate property measurements and maintenance takeoffs for commercial sites. Beam AI lists lawns, pavements, sidewalks, and parking lots as examples.
Yes. Beam AI is a fully cloud-based platform. Through the iBeam Portal, teams upload drawings, collaborate, manage revisions, and download takeoffs without installing software on-premise.
Beam AI is built for subcontractors, general contractors managing multi-trade projects, suppliers and distributors, and field service contractors. It suits teams that spend a lot of time on manual takeoffs and want to bid more work without adding headcount.