AI for your industry / Making and moving goods
AI for builders' and timber merchants
Merchants win trade customers on fast, accurate quotes and reliable delivery. AI helps read plans and material lists, draft quotes, build cutting lists and handle routine order and delivery questions.
Start with quotes from plans or emailed material lists, which tie up counter and branch staff.
2,375 UK firms in wholesale of wood and construction materials have 5 to 249 staff, out of 5,100 in total. Source: ONS, UK business: activity, size and location 2026.
Where AI pays back first
More revenue
Quote builders the same day from plans and lists, and win more whole-job orders.
Lower costs
Reduce errors in orders and deliveries that cause returns and wasted trips.
Time back
Free counter staff from typing orders and answering delivery questions.
Jobs worth looking at
| Job | How it often runs now | Where AI can help | What a person still checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quotes from plans and lists | Staff read plans and type material lists by hand. | Draft a material list and quote from plans or emailed lists. | Branch staff confirm quantities and prices. |
| Timber cutting lists | Cutting lists are worked out manually. | Draft cutting lists to reduce waste from the order. | The machinist checks before cutting. |
| Order entry | Phone and email orders are re-keyed. | Extract order lines into the system for checking. | Staff confirm before picking. |
| Delivery queries | Customers ring to ask where orders are. | Answer status questions from delivery data. | Staff handle problems and changes. |
Merchants use systems such as Kerridge K8, Merchanters, BisTrack or Sage. AI quoting and estimating add-ons are emerging. Business assistants help with lists and emails.
Different firms, different starting points
Builders' merchants
Broad range and many trade accounts. AI helps quotes and order entry.
Timber merchants
Cutting, machining and special orders. AI helps cutting lists and quotes.
Specialist merchants
Roofing, plumbing or heating supplies. AI helps product matching and technical questions.
Worked example
A merchant branch that quotes extensions in an hour
A builders' merchant branch gets 30 quote requests a week from plans, and each takes two to three hours.
AI drafts a material list and quote from the plans using the branch's product range and price file.
Staff check quantities and prices. The branch tracks quote time and conversion.
Illustrative example with made-up details.
Try a practical task
Find your first job to fix
Paste this into a business AI account. Fill in the brackets. It asks you questions first, then suggests one job to test.
Try this in your AI app
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini
CodexUsing Gemini? The button copies the prompt. Paste it into the new chat.
You are helping a UK builders' or timber merchant find its first AI use. Ask me one question at a time.
Ask about our branches, trade customers, system and how quotes and orders arrive.
Finish with a test plan in one branch.
Suggest three ideas ranked by revenue first, then cost, then time, and say what a person must still check for each.
Rules that shape the work
Construction products must meet UK rules and carry correct performance information. The government's guidance explains the regime.
Read the source: GOV.UK: construction products regulation
Timber traders must meet the UK Timber Regulations on legal sourcing.
Read the source: GOV.UK: UK Timber Regulations
Shadow AI
Branch staff may use free apps to read plans. Approve one tool for customer drawings.
Keeping data safe
Use business or enterprise AI accounts with model training turned off and a data processing agreement signed. Trade account terms and pricing are commercially sensitive.
What each leader should do first
Managing director
Start with quotes from plans. They decide whole-job orders.
Branch manager
Test order entry and delivery queries, counting time saved at the counter.
Questions owners ask
Can AI do a take-off from plans?
AI can draft a material list from plans. Staff should check quantities before quoting.
What software do builders' merchants use?
Common systems include Kerridge K8, BisTrack and Merchanters.
Can AI make timber cutting lists?
Yes, it can draft lists to reduce waste. The machinist checks before cutting.
How can merchants win more trade customers?
Quote fast and accurately and keep customers updated on delivery. AI helps with both.