Built by GCs, for GCs.
PreconIntel started as an internal tool at Maxx Builders. We built it because nothing else existed.
The spreadsheet that broke us.
In 2023, Maxx Builders — a mid-size Texas GC — was managing preconstruction on a 47-tab Excel workbook and a shared Gmail inbox. On a single month, we caught three different scope gaps after award. One cost us $180K. Another cost us a relationship with a trusted sub.
We looked at what was on the market. Building Connected felt bolted onto Autodesk. Pantera ran on legacy tech. Everything else treated general contractors like an afterthought. So we started building our own — a small estimating-side tool that parsed bid PDFs with AI.
The internal tool worked. The parsing was accurate. The comparison sheet wrote itself. We started sharing it with a few GC friends, and they asked to buy it. PreconIntel spun out in 2025, with Maxx Builders as its first — and most demanding — customer.
Today we're a team of estimators, engineers, and ML people. Half of us came out of the GC world. All of us have sat through the meeting where someone says, “wait, is waterproofing in Alamo's scope?”
Backed by builders.
PreconIntel is a product of BuildSmarter AI — a holding company building vertical AI tools for construction. We share infrastructure, research, and a commitment to shipping software that works on the job site, not just in a demo.
What we stand for.
Data-driven
Every decision our product makes is traceable. No black boxes dressed up as magic.
Contractor-first
We build for the GC's workflow — not the architect's, not the owner's, not Silicon Valley's.
AI-augmented
Not AI-replaced. Humans make the call on every award. The AI does the drudgery.
Transparent pricing
Prices on the website. No "contact sales for a quote" games.