By Ryan Fink, Digs CEO & Co-Founder
I’ve talked to hundreds of builders over the years. Most are drowning in paperwork, juggling client questions, and dealing with job site surprises that could’ve been prevented with better communication. And yet, many still say the same thing when it comes to new technology:
“I know we need to figure out AI, but I don’t have time right now.”
I get it. It’s easy to view new software as a nice-to-have or cumbersome effort to integrate into your workflow. But the truth is that AI is no longer optional. It’s how you stay competitive.
According to McKinsey, global construction spending is on track to grow from $13 trillion in 2023 to $22 trillion by 2040, but productivity has barely budged in two decades. In fact, the global construction industry has only improved productivity by 10% since 2000, while manufacturing saw gains of 90% over the same period.
The industry is at a tipping point. If we don’t improve how we work, the world could face a $40 trillion shortfall in construction output by 2040.
So the real question is no longer "Should I invest in AI?" It’s "Can I afford not to?"
The right technology doesn’t slow you down. It speeds everything up.
Builders sometimes tell us they don’t have time to learn a new tool. But what if using the right tool gave them back hours every day or even every week?
At Digs, we’ve seen builders cut down meeting prep time, reduce costly and time consuming rework, eliminate follow-up calls, and reduce the back-and-forth on selections. It’s not about adding more software (many times adding the right software reduces the need for multiple systems and consolidates your workflow). It’s about simplifying the process and the experience for your team and your clients.
Williams Contracting is saving 40 to 50 hours per project. While the House of Ponce is saving 5-10 hours per week per person on their team.
Your reputation is built long after the build ends.
What happens when a client calls you two years later looking for the paint color in their kid’s room or the model number of their HVAC unit?
The best builders are winning business not just because they build beautiful homes, but because they’ve invested in better customer experience, communication, and long-term care. That’s a big reason why we built Digs the way we did: to be as useful on Day 1 as it is on Year 5. Like Matt Green with Front Light Building Company:
The cost of not using AI is higher than you think.
Every time a homeowner is confused, every time a change isn’t documented, every time you answer the same question for the third time, you’re not just losing time. You’re risking trust. And in home building, trust is everything.
A few decades ago, you could get by with paper plans and a handshake. But the stakes are higher now. Clients in a tech-enabled world expect visibility. Teams expect real-time updates. And builders who don’t evolve get left behind by those who do. Becomes customers now demand the evolution.
So here’s what I’d tell any builder who still thinks AI is too complex or not worth the time:
If the tools you’ve used in the past aren’t saving you time, improving your builds, or making your clients happier, it’s not because tech doesn’t work. It’s because you haven’t found the right solution yet.
The builders using Digs today aren’t tech companies. They’re craftsmen, designers, project managers, and small business owners who care deeply about doing great work and finally have a platform that works the way they do.
Because AI should support how YOU build. Not get in the way of it.
Digs is an AI-powered collaboration software built for homebuilders. From pre-con to aftercare, it keeps your team, trades, and clients aligned with one centralized workspace for decisions, documentation, digital handoff, and ongoing warranty support.
Unlock happier homes at Digs.com
