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Constellation HomeBuilder Systems, a Markham, Ont.-based homebuilding software company, has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) tool named Stella AI to provide industry players with market data and streamline the construction process.
Described as “not a generic chatbot” in a Tuesday press release, Stella is designed to detect potential budget and scheduling problems in communities and divisions, and compare performance against industry peers. It can answer "operational and executive‑level questions” without the need to pore through reports, Constellation says.
Stella is based on Constellation’s BuilderMetrix, a real-time data, analytics and benchmarking platform. BuilderMetrix covers 80 per cent of North America, according to its website, with a mix of data from single-family, multifamily and highrise housing. Other data points it provides include job cost data, new home sales, resales and construction milestones.
"While every builder's needs are different, the goal is the same: gain efficiency, improve decision-making, and stay competitive — and Stella is built to support that," Bob Swainhart, vice-president of enterprise solutions at Constellation, said in the release.
Constellation’s software products include NEWSTAR and BuildTopia.
How Stella works
Stella can cut down on errors, improve efficiency and simply workloads for construction professionals, Constellation says.
The AI tool can automate the tedious tasks of finding data, checking vendor status and preparing drafts, opening more time for more productive work.
The pricing and performance of suppliers can be compared against another to get the most bang out of a buck. Before making purchase orders, Stella can suggest alternative options for supplies. It can also identify the communities with budget overruns for direct construction costs or “which crafts have been responsible for the largest amount of warranty claims.”
Stella can sound the alarm on schedule risks, notice factors behind cost changes and compare the project’s budget versus actual spending.
To further minimize risk from its use, Constellation says Stella has guardrails installed and can draft actions with confirmation prompts when enabled.
Stella will be demonstrated at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. from Feb. 17-19.
AI products like Stella have been rapidly gaining popularity in the real estate sector. Brokerages are using AI to arm Realtors with the information to close a sale, dispense professional guidance, and reply to inquiries about housing markets and specific neighbourhoods. Factory homebuilders are using AI in their facilities to boost efficiency.
Stella joins Percy
Stella is not Constellation’s first AI product. A few days before Stella was unveiled, Constellation announced the release of an AI-powered assistant named Percy.
Embedded in Homeowner Central, Constellation’s homeowner portal used by residential builders, Percy is made to give homeowners access to information about their dwelling and helping builders reduce service inquiries.
Percy can read uploaded documents and address questions about the information in the files – anything from appliance model details to maintenance guidance, Constellation says. Homebuilders can benefit from the potential for reduced service inquiries, the company adds.
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