Economics – BOT PLANNER L5

A large and growing market for finishing labor.

Drywall finishing is a major line item in U.S. construction budgets. The estimated market value for drywall finishing in the United States in 2025 is approximately $15.58 billion, with a forecast of around $26.36 billion by 2034, representing a 5.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

Why BOTPLANNERL5 targets Level 5

At higher finish levels (L4–L5) labor represents the majority of cost. Material cost is important, but the real opportunity is to reduce labor hours per square foot, improve predictability and reduce rework caused by inconsistent finish quality.

Contractors face a shortage of experienced finishers, rising wages and pressure to deliver consistent Level 5 surfaces for high-end projects. BOTPLANNERL5 is designed specifically for this segment.

Human crews vs. BOTPLANNERL5 – conceptual comparison.

The BOTPLANNERL5 platform is designed to achieve productivity comparable to a high-end robotic Level 5 system, similar in concept to leading international reference machines, while preserving a finish that drywall contractors recognize and accept.

Typical daily production – Level 5 finishing (illustrative)

Values below are indicative and assume a full working day on Level 4 surfaces moving to Level 5. Actual numbers will depend on job conditions, crew experience and project logistics.

Scenario	Team composition	Estimated L5 area / day	Notes
Traditional crew – hand finish	3 finishers + 2 helpers	~3,000–4,000 ft²	Multiple passes, manual skimming, sanding, strong dependence on skill.
Optimized crew with tools	2 finishers + 2 helpers	~4,000–5,000 ft²	Use of large blades, stilts, pole sanders, some mechanization.
BOTPLANNERL5 (target)	1 operator + 1 support	~8,000–10,000 ft²	Robot handles skim coat spraying, skimming and sanding passes with consistent speed and overlap; operator focuses on setup, inspection and touch-ups.

In this conceptual model, BOTPLANNERL5 aims to deliver roughly 2–3× the daily output of a traditional crew while reducing physical strain and dependence on a limited pool of expert finishers.

From hourly wages to cost per square foot.

Drywall finishing labor in the U.S. often ranges between $35–$60 per hour per worker once benefits, insurance and overhead are included. A Level 5 finishing crew for medium and large projects can easily represent several hundred thousand dollars per year in labor costs.

Illustrative crew economics

Consider a company running a traditional Level 5 crew of 3 finishers and 2 helpers:

5 workers × ~2,000 hours/year × $40–$50/hour average loaded cost
= $400,000–$500,000 per year in direct crew costs

If BOTPLANNERL5 allows one operator and one support worker to do the work of that crew at similar or better quality, a portion of those labor hours can be reallocated to more projects or higher-value tasks.

Simple payback logic (conceptual)

With a target machine cost in the range of ~$40,000, plus training and maintenance, the payback horizon can be short if the robot:

Replaces part of a full crew on multiple projects per year.
Improves visible quality and reduces punch-list rework.
Allows contractors to bid more competitively while protecting margins.

Even a modest reduction of 15–20% in total labor hours across a large portfolio of jobs can pay for one or more robots within a relatively short period.

Why a Level 5 robot improves the business case.

Boost Productivity

Higher daily output per operator and better use of existing crews, especially on large projects with repetitive rooms or long corridors.

Consistent Quality

Repeatable paths and parameters help reduce job-to-job variability and callbacks due to inconsistent Level 5 finish quality.

Labor Shortage Mitigation

Makes it easier to train new staff and extend the careers of experienced finishers by reducing the most physically demanding tasks.

Job-Site Efficiency

A compact robot reduces the need for scaffolding, ladders and repeated material handling, improving safety and site logistics.

Data & Predictability

Operating data over time supports more accurate schedules, bid models and project planning, reducing risk for contractors and owners.

Scalable Model

A fleet of robots can be shared across regions and subsidiaries, enabling growth without linear increases in skilled headcount.