What is fixed, what is AI, and what MBI does not know. We would rather show you where a number comes from than ask you to trust it.
When you measure in the Blueprint Tool or the Measurement Calculator and send the data to MBI, the quantities (framing length, drywall sheets, insulation, flooring, fixtures) come from MBI’s own calculations, room by room. These measurements take priority over the AI’s reading of the plan sheets.
For anything you did not measure, the AI reads the plan sheets and schedules you upload, such as doors, finishes and fixtures. These quantities are AI-read, so they deserve a second look, and the report flags the ones that need confirming.
Prices come from fixed price lists for Economical, Standard and Luxury. The AI is instructed to use only a unit cost from the approved list for each line, and not to invent a price.
Where MBI has a price adjustment for the project’s city, it applies it. Otherwise it uses national-average pricing. The Pricing Basis section of every report says which one was used.
When a product on the plans has no exact rate (for example a specific quartz or wood panel), the report says the catalog rate is a generic stand-in and that a real supplier quote is needed.
An item with no approved price is marked TBD, with a note on what to confirm. TBD lines are left out of the total, and the Pricing Basis section counts how many there are. MBI is designed to show TBD instead of guessing.
MBI re-adds each division’s lines and compares the result with the subtotal the report states, and flags any difference above two cents. When you send Calculator data, Phase 1 also compares the framing length in the report with your Calculator’s number.
A second AI review checks the report’s format and flags anything that looks off in floor area, doors or openings. It does not replace your judgment.
The automatic checks do not verify prices or unit costs. That is why stand-in rates and TBD lines are labeled in the report.
The exact check covers the Phase 1 framing length only. Door, opening and floor-area counts are flagged by the AI review, but they are not exact-checked. Every QC result in the app lists what it did not verify.
Each report lists what to check and the action required, for example a possible double count or a quantity you need to measure.
Each report lists what is excluded unless noted, such as permits and inspection fees, furniture and equipment, and engineering fees.
The report says plainly that it reflects only what the plans and your inputs show, and that field conditions must be verified before ordering or bidding.
Use the Executive Overrides / Special Notes field to tell MBI about exclusions, scope clarifications or items to add. Those instructions are treated as authoritative.
MBI produces a preliminary budget. Some rates are typical allowances, for example structural steel, and the report says so. Get supplier and subcontractor quotes before you bid.
MBI is built to help an estimator work faster and see what is unknown. The estimator stays in charge of the final number.
Free trial: card required, charged after day 7 unless you cancel.