I Built Three Construction Tools with AI that run without AI

I have been writing about this for two years. I started in chat mode, using AI to check earthworks calculations and analyse construction spend.

I then used AI instead of employing a support person, then built back office automations, including my knowledge bases. That has been a big win.

More recently I have moved into the developer space, working mostly from my terminal using Claude Code. The result is three tools that run independently of AI, driven by script from my computer’s terminal.

The first is a set of media tools. The second calculates growth charges. The third, my newest, is called Quarry. It mines .dwg and .dxf files for quantification, measuring from the binary source data rather than from drawings.

The gap between people who are AI starters, embracers and power users is huge, and I wish there were more power users in my immediate networks. Building tools for my businesses means I capture the financial benefit straight away, especially when it comes to quantifying what goes into a build.

Few people understand tool building, and fewer still know how to put it all together. I am still learning how to build a friendly user interface, and that is where I am putting my effort next.

I am closing this public AI storyline for now, though I will keep watching how my colleagues and peers get on. Efficiency starts with getting the facts right and putting it together correctly the first time.