Eano vs Handoff: Same Renovation Plans, Two AI Takeoffs Compared
Short answer: We ran the same set of renovation drawings through Eano and Handoff. Eano's estimate covered 14 cost divisions, including permits, demolition, foundation, roofing, finishes, plumbing and HVAC. Handoff's estimate covered six: windows, framing, drywall, siding, electrical labor and plumbing labor. On the trades both tools included, Handoff's quantities were consistently much larger. For example, it had 9,850 sq ft of drywall vs. 1,460 and 2,260 sq ft of lap siding vs. 260. That pattern suggests it read the plans as new construction rather than a renovation of an occupied home.
This is a single project, so treat it as one data point, not a general accuracy rating for either tool.
The project
- A phased renovation of an occupied, three-story home in a historic district in Charlotte, NC
- The scope included a kitchen, pantry and mudroom reconfiguration, a rebuilt rear screened porch, bath remodels on the second and third floors, new skylights, and some window relocations and replacements
- Both tools got the same drawing set. Neither estimate was edited before this comparison.
Scope coverage: which trades each tool captured
Handoff's estimate reads like a strong start on the shell and rough trades. It is clearly organized, its material lines link to retail products, and it has a 20% markup applied. It leaves out the work that usually drives the cost of a renovation: demolition, finishes, fixtures and mechanical.
Quantities by trade
These are the line items both estimates included. Quantities come straight from each tool's output.
What the differences suggest
Most of the gaps come from one interpretation call: is this a renovation or a new build?
- Eano treated it as a renovation. It listed selective demolition by area, careful salvage of the arched French doors, a door relocation, moving two existing windows to a new office, patching existing siding, and refinishing 1,180 sq ft of existing hardwood to match.
- Handoff's quantities look like new construction. It included 280 new 2x6 exterior studs and full wall sheathing, drywall for roughly the whole house, a new unit for nearly every window opening, and siding for most of the exterior.
On a renovation, that interpretation call decides most of the number. It's worth checking first in any AI takeoff, whatever tool you use.
What about cost?
The project's final construction cost came in around $239K, with the owner supplying the cabinets. With cabinetry and countertops removed, Eano's scope, priced at current rates, came to about $236K. Handoff's estimate came to $161,660 at cost ($193,992 with markup), but it covers only six trades, so its total can't be compared to the full project. Eano's estimate was shown at cost with no markup.
Takeaways for contractors
- Check scope before price. A low total can just mean missing trades.
- Check the renovation vs. new-build read. Look at exterior studs, sheathing and drywall square footage. Those show it fastest.
- Look for demo, salvage and relocation lines. On occupied and historic homes, that's where the hours go.
- One project is one project. Run your own plans through any tool before relying on it.
