Industry Research
AI Adoption Is Growing Fast Among Construction and Design Pros
A new Houzz report reveals details about AI use among pros — as well as the need for training and trusted tools
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries around the world, new insights from the 2025 U.S. Houzz State of AI in Construction and Design report reveal that the technology is being adopted by many construction and design professionals. The inaugural report is based on a survey of more than 700 businesses on Houzz.
The report uncovers widespread awareness, moderate adoption and a clear appetite for AI’s potential to boost efficiency, productivity and creativity — especially when AI tools are seamlessly integrated into daily workflows. While more than a third of industry pros already are leveraging AI to save time and streamline tasks, the findings also underscore a strong need for accessible training and trustworthy solutions tailored to industry needs. Here are highlights from the just-released report.
The report uncovers widespread awareness, moderate adoption and a clear appetite for AI’s potential to boost efficiency, productivity and creativity — especially when AI tools are seamlessly integrated into daily workflows. While more than a third of industry pros already are leveraging AI to save time and streamline tasks, the findings also underscore a strong need for accessible training and trustworthy solutions tailored to industry needs. Here are highlights from the just-released report.
Nearly 3 in 5 professionals (59%) say they’re familiar with AI tools built specifically for construction and design workflows, pointing to a growing awareness not just of the technology itself but of its tailored applications within the industry.
“AI innovation in the construction and design industry is accelerating, and it’s creating a competitive advantage for professionals in the space who are adopting it,” says Alon Cohen, Houzz co-founder and CEO. “The next wave of transformation will be driven by AI solutions that integrate seamlessly into professionals’ workflows, enabling new levels of efficiency and accuracy.
“At Houzz, this vision has guided our work: embedding powerful AI capabilities directly into the software professionals already use, so they can boost productivity across every phase of a project,” Cohen says. “As the report shows, industry professionals are approaching this new era with openness and a strong desire to learn. The future for construction and design is about adopting AI to build stronger, more successful businesses.”
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“AI innovation in the construction and design industry is accelerating, and it’s creating a competitive advantage for professionals in the space who are adopting it,” says Alon Cohen, Houzz co-founder and CEO. “The next wave of transformation will be driven by AI solutions that integrate seamlessly into professionals’ workflows, enabling new levels of efficiency and accuracy.
“At Houzz, this vision has guided our work: embedding powerful AI capabilities directly into the software professionals already use, so they can boost productivity across every phase of a project,” Cohen says. “As the report shows, industry professionals are approaching this new era with openness and a strong desire to learn. The future for construction and design is about adopting AI to build stronger, more successful businesses.”
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More than a third of industry professionals (34%) are putting AI to work in their businesses. But the majority (66%) currently do not use the technology, highlighting the fact that AI integration is still in its early days for much of the industry.
More than a third of pros (34%) report saving an average of one to three hours per week using AI tools. Nearly half (45%) report saving three or more hours per week. They point to increased productivity, reduced manual effort and better organization as key benefits. That time savings adds up, translating to an average annual productivity gain of more than $108,000 per firm.
The estimated average annual productivity gain per firm is based on self-reported weekly time savings from AI use and average annual revenues. The calculation assumes a 40-hour workweek and that time saved translates into a productivity gain. The aggregated gain across the construction and design sectors is calculated as a weighted average of the sector-specific estimates, using weights of 35% for construction firms and 65% for design firms. Productivity gains are rounded to the nearest dollar.
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The estimated average annual productivity gain per firm is based on self-reported weekly time savings from AI use and average annual revenues. The calculation assumes a 40-hour workweek and that time saved translates into a productivity gain. The aggregated gain across the construction and design sectors is calculated as a weighted average of the sector-specific estimates, using weights of 35% for construction firms and 65% for design firms. Productivity gains are rounded to the nearest dollar.
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Construction Firms
While nearly one-third of construction pros (32%) already use AI tools, the majority (68%) have yet to adopt them, highlighting the fact that AI is still in the early stages of industry integration. This gap in adoption will likely close quickly as successful use cases emerge and more firms trust that AI use will be relatively low-risk and high-reward.
Among large construction businesses (those with 10 or more employees), AI adoption is roughly twice as common (64%) as across the sector as a whole. This suggests that working on a greater scale provides the resources to focus on strategic growth and prioritize continuous improvement.
Large firms are more likely to have dedicated staff for specific areas of operations, such as marketing and estimating, making it easier to test and integrate AI into workflows. As these early adopters demonstrate real-world success, their stories will pave the way for wider adoption across the sector.
The construction sector part of the report focuses on professionals providing residential or commercial construction services. Construction businesses that also offer design services were not included.
While nearly one-third of construction pros (32%) already use AI tools, the majority (68%) have yet to adopt them, highlighting the fact that AI is still in the early stages of industry integration. This gap in adoption will likely close quickly as successful use cases emerge and more firms trust that AI use will be relatively low-risk and high-reward.
Among large construction businesses (those with 10 or more employees), AI adoption is roughly twice as common (64%) as across the sector as a whole. This suggests that working on a greater scale provides the resources to focus on strategic growth and prioritize continuous improvement.
Large firms are more likely to have dedicated staff for specific areas of operations, such as marketing and estimating, making it easier to test and integrate AI into workflows. As these early adopters demonstrate real-world success, their stories will pave the way for wider adoption across the sector.
The construction sector part of the report focuses on professionals providing residential or commercial construction services. Construction businesses that also offer design services were not included.
Construction pros apply AI most often in areas where it drives immediate efficiency. Nearly half (47%) use it for administrative tasks, and 42% use it for project and client management — time-intensive functions for which automation can quickly lighten the load.
Usage is less common for planning and design and for business operations. This may reflect limitations in the available tools or the possibility that these tasks are more complex and harder to automate. As AI capabilities evolve, these areas may offer the next frontier for adoption.
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Usage is less common for planning and design and for business operations. This may reflect limitations in the available tools or the possibility that these tasks are more complex and harder to automate. As AI capabilities evolve, these areas may offer the next frontier for adoption.
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Almost three-quarters (74%) of construction pros are very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with AI tools, laying the foundation for continued interest and exploration. A high satisfaction level closely correlates with reported weekly time savings from using AI for business tasks.
Many construction pros are cautious about AI’s reliability and precision. While a growing number see the potential of AI tools, overcoming trust, usability and implementation challenges is key to broader adoption in the construction industry.
Integration complexity is of relatively little concern among pros, and 9 in 10 AI users report having received no training for AI tools, showing that most construction pros don’t see technical setup as a significant barrier.
Integration complexity is of relatively little concern among pros, and 9 in 10 AI users report having received no training for AI tools, showing that most construction pros don’t see technical setup as a significant barrier.
This points to an opportunity for solutions that integrate AI into familiar workflows and provide accessible ways for construction and design pros to incorporate emerging technologies. Houzz Pro, for example, includes AI-powered features for doing estimates, creating takeoffs, messaging and using visualization tools within its project management and design tools, aiming to support professionals in adopting AI as part of their day-to-day work.
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More than half of construction pros (51%) believe that AI is transforming the industry. That sentiment is even more widespread among pros looking ahead five years. Only 5% believe that AI will have no impact at that time.
Even among those who neither use AI now nor plan to do so in the future, more than 1 in 5 believe that AI will impact the industry in the future.
Even among those who neither use AI now nor plan to do so in the future, more than 1 in 5 believe that AI will impact the industry in the future.
Construction pros’ motivations for adopting AI tools are practical, focused on improving day-to-day performance. This highlights an opportunity to double down on tools that solve everyday problems.
“While technology allows us to do so many things faster and better, AI in many ways is the ultimate equalizer,” says Mark Richardson, an author, a columnist and an adviser who focuses on the remodeling industry. “AI allows the less experienced to add years of experience. Not only can it answer questions, but it has been demonstrated to answer a question better than you can. AI is dynamic and can learn faster than you can too.
“While there are many questions about where AI is going, what is not being questioned today is whether or not it is going (and going fast). As this report shows, construction pros have already begun to adopt AI to improve their business processes for everything from administrative tasks to project and client management to sales and marketing. My advice? Get ready, brace yourself and get on the AI train.”
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“While technology allows us to do so many things faster and better, AI in many ways is the ultimate equalizer,” says Mark Richardson, an author, a columnist and an adviser who focuses on the remodeling industry. “AI allows the less experienced to add years of experience. Not only can it answer questions, but it has been demonstrated to answer a question better than you can. AI is dynamic and can learn faster than you can too.
“While there are many questions about where AI is going, what is not being questioned today is whether or not it is going (and going fast). As this report shows, construction pros have already begun to adopt AI to improve their business processes for everything from administrative tasks to project and client management to sales and marketing. My advice? Get ready, brace yourself and get on the AI train.”
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Design Firms
Nearly a third of design businesses (31%) use AI tools, indicating that adoption is in the early stages for most of the industry. As more firms explore the possibilities, the design sector is beginning to unlock the potential of AI in everyday workflows.
AI use is notably higher among large design firms; half of design businesses with 10 or more employees use it. These firms often have more in-office staff and the capacity to experiment. With larger firms paving the way, their shared best practices and early-use cases can serve as a valuable blueprint for the rest of the sector, helping to lower barriers and accelerate adoption.
The design sector part of the report focuses on professionals providing residential or commercial design-only services. Design businesses that also offer construction services were not included.
Nearly a third of design businesses (31%) use AI tools, indicating that adoption is in the early stages for most of the industry. As more firms explore the possibilities, the design sector is beginning to unlock the potential of AI in everyday workflows.
AI use is notably higher among large design firms; half of design businesses with 10 or more employees use it. These firms often have more in-office staff and the capacity to experiment. With larger firms paving the way, their shared best practices and early-use cases can serve as a valuable blueprint for the rest of the sector, helping to lower barriers and accelerate adoption.
The design sector part of the report focuses on professionals providing residential or commercial design-only services. Design businesses that also offer construction services were not included.
Designers use AI for routine tasks, such as document formatting, scheduling and content generation — areas in which it streamlines workflows with minimal risk of error. Adoption is limited in more complex areas, such as client management and business strategy. This suggests that AI integration is more challenging in these areas or that designers haven’t found clear AI-use cases for them yet.
Many designers use AI regularly, often daily or weekly. What’s more, they rarely confine AI use to a single area. Instead, designers tend to apply AI across multiple parts of their business. This underscores AI’s growing role as a cross-functional asset rather than a niche solution.
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Many designers use AI regularly, often daily or weekly. What’s more, they rarely confine AI use to a single area. Instead, designers tend to apply AI across multiple parts of their business. This underscores AI’s growing role as a cross-functional asset rather than a niche solution.
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The majority of designers who have adopted AI tools say they’re satisfied with them. Just 2% express dissatisfaction, while 28% remain neutral. Among firms with 10 or more employees, satisfaction is slightly lower, with 65% being very or somewhat satisfied.
A third of designers are concerned about AI’s reliability and accuracy. While many recognize the potential of AI tools, questions around trust, usability and implementation remain. Although most designers haven’t received formal AI training, only 14% cite lack of training as a concern.
The majority of designers (54%) believe that AI is transforming the industry. Looking ahead, two-thirds of respondents (66%) believe that AI will transform the industry within the next five years, signaling strong confidence in its future influence.
Houzz Pro includes AI-powered features for doing estimates, creating takeoffs, messaging and using visualization tools within its project management and design tools, aiming to support professionals in adopting AI as part of their day-to-day work.
Learn about Houzz Pro software
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Designers’ motivations for adopting AI tools are grounded in boosting performance and staying competitive. Designers are focused on AI that can deliver improvements in day-to-day performance. Many also point to AI’s potential to improve accuracy, reduce errors and enhance customer satisfaction. That said, some designers (11%) remain unconvinced and have no plans to adopt AI.
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Tell us: How are you using AI tools in your business? Please share in the Comments.
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Read more stories for pros
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Awareness of AI already is widespread across the construction and design industry, with nearly 7 in 10 professionals (69%) reporting familiarity with the technology. Just 23% say they’re not very familiar, and only 8% have had no exposure at all, underscoring AI’s rapid emergence as a topic most pros are actively tracking.
The industry overview section of the report combines data from firms offering residential services, commercial services or both in construction and design. These include remodelers, builders, interior designers, architects, design-build professionals, and specialty contractors and trades such as electricians, plumbers and roofers.