UpCodes AI Detects 180,000 Construction Plan Errors

The construction industry has long struggled with the manual, error-prone task of reviewing plan sets where architectural, structural, and MEP drawings often clash. UpCodes’ multimodal AI, which interprets both visual geometry and technical text, is now being adopted by firms like BDG Architects and Hereford Dooley Architects to automate this vetting process. The platform cross-references drawings against millions of local building code sections to catch issues before they reach the job site.

Data from the first 1,300 reviews reveals that critical errors are alarmingly common. Each plan set averaged 21 critical issues, with nearly half involving life-safety systems such as fire protection and means of egress. Notably, one in ten errors stem from cross-discipline coordination conflicts—the exact type of oversight that typically triggers expensive change orders and construction delays. While the system acts as a first-pass analysis rather than a replacement for licensed professional oversight, its ability to surface missing exit signage and structural inconsistencies early is fundamentally altering project risk management. According to CEO Scott Reynolds, shifting the review process earlier in the timeline allows teams to resolve interconnected design decisions while they remain digital, rather than physical, problems.