Two founders with contrasting but complementary backgrounds are building a new approach to housing construction. Roop Pal, a former engineer at Google and Waymo, and Puneet Sukhija, who began building homes as a teenager, have launched Bild AI, a construction technology startup aiming to reduce costs and inefficiencies in the building process through artificial intelligence.
The company recently raised $3.1 million in seed funding, led by Khosla Ventures, with participation from Mission Street Capital, Ryan Sutton-Gee, and Ooshma Garg.
Founded earlier this year, Bild focuses on automating the reading of blueprints and estimating construction materials and costs — a task traditionally done manually and prone to delays or errors. The startup believes that automating this early phase can speed up project timelines and reduce pre-construction expenses.
Currently operated by just the two co-founders, Bild plans to use the funds to hire engineers and accelerate the development of its AI tools.
The idea for Bild emerged at a social impact hackathon in San Francisco. Within days, the concept was accepted into Y Combinator. Pal noted that his interest in affordable housing and his background in AI and computer vision made the venture a natural fit.
Bild’s early customers include suppliers in the framing, flooring, and door industries, especially those serving the multifamily housing segment. The startup operates on a subscription-based revenue model.
According to Pal, automating material estimation could lead to savings for both developers and renters. In dynamic housing markets, a reduction in construction costs often translates into lower rent prices.
In the long term, Bild plans to expand its technology to include additional trade categories such as windows and roofing. Future updates may also support permit approvals by flagging compliance issues early, potentially reducing bureaucratic delays in both residential and commercial projects.
Pal pointed out that small cost reductions at scale can lead to significant public benefits. “If you reduce 1% of the cost of a hospital, that's another hospital that can be built,” he said.
Bild’s approach is part of a broader trend in the construction industry, where AI is increasingly being used by companies like Shawmut and Suffolk to improve project outcomes and enhance worker safety.
As the sector continues exploring technology-driven solutions, tools like Bild’s may become a standard part of how housing and infrastructure projects are planned in the coming year.
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