ChatGPT for construction and trades
Tradies and building firms use ChatGPT on the phone as much as at a desk.
- Share of NZ employees
- 9.0%about 222,000 people, Feb 2025
- Highest local share
- 28%Waipāwa, Hawke's Bay
- Highest region
- 11%West Coast, 1,660 employees
Where we start
Tradies and building firms use ChatGPT on the phone as much as at a desk. The wins are quotes, client communication and paperwork done in less time.
Quotes from photos and notes
Photograph the job, add your notes, and get a structured scope and quote draft in your own format.
Client updates
Turn a quick voice note into a clear progress update or variation explanation the client will understand.
A custom GPT for your business
Load your terms, standard inclusions and exclusions into a custom GPT so every quote goes out the same way.
Take care: ChatGPT can explain Building Code clauses and standards, but check them against the current official version before you rely on them.
Where the jobs are
Construction and trades accounts for 9.0% of paid employees in New Zealand. These are the towns and regions where its share is highest. Towns need at least 400 employees to be ranked.
Towns with the highest share of jobs in construction and trades
| Town | Chart | Share | NZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waipāwa | 28.0% | 9.0% | |
| Milton | 27.6% | 9.0% | |
| Kumeū-Huapai | 27.0% | 9.0% | |
| Woodend | 25.3% | 9.0% | |
| Brightwater | 25.1% | 9.0% | |
| Waikanae | 22.6% | 9.0% | |
| Kirwee | 21.1% | 9.0% | |
| Prebbleton | 20.6% | 9.0% | |
| Cromwell | 20.1% | 9.0% | |
| Ngāruawāhia | 19.5% | 9.0% |
Share of paid employees at business locations in the town. The tick marks the national share.
Source: Stats NZ, Business Demography Statistics, February 2020 and 2025.
By region
| Region | Chart | Share | NZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast | 11.1% | 9.0% | |
| Otago | 10.7% | 9.0% | |
| Northland | 10.6% | 9.0% | |
| Canterbury | 10.0% | 9.0% | |
| Waikato | 9.9% | 9.0% | |
| Taranaki | 9.5% | 9.0% | |
| Bay of Plenty | 9.4% | 9.0% | |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | 9.0% | 9.0% | |
| Tasman | 8.9% | 9.0% | |
| Auckland | 8.8% | 9.0% | |
| Hawke's Bay | 8.8% | 9.0% | |
| Gisborne | 8.3% | 9.0% | |
| Nelson | 8.1% | 9.0% | |
| Marlborough | 8.0% | 9.0% | |
| Southland | 7.6% | 9.0% | |
| Wellington | 7.5% | 9.0% |
Source: Stats NZ, Business Demography Statistics, February 2020 and 2025.
Courses
1Introductory
ChatGPT essentials workshop
A practical session for the whole team: prompting, files, data analysis and Projects, using tasks from your own business.
2Organisation
ChatGPT Business and Enterprise rollout
Set up ChatGPT properly for a team: workspace, sharing, policies, a custom GPT library and adoption that lasts past week two.
3Advanced
Custom GPTs, agents and the OpenAI API
For power users and developers: custom GPTs with actions, agent workflows, the OpenAI API and Codex.
Other industries
Questions
Is ChatGPT safe to use in construction and trades?
With the right plan and rules, yes for most tasks. ChatGPT can explain Building Code clauses and standards, but check them against the current official version before you rely on them.
Can training use our own construction and trades examples?
Yes. We ask for a few real, non-sensitive examples beforehand, or anonymised versions, and build the exercises around them.
Train your construction and trades team
- Send us a few linesHow many people, where you are, and the jobs that eat your week.
- We reply with a planA suggested session and format, plus what to bring: real quotes, emails and questions.
- Your team does the workAt your place or over video. They finish with ChatGPT doing real tasks, not demos.
- In person
- Remote
- Half-day workshop
- Full-day workshop
- Team rollout
Independent training by TheColab. Not affiliated with OpenAI.
Enquire
Tell us about your team. We reply by email with a suggested course and format.