One of the first professional use cases that came to mind when I experienced using ChatGPT was the potential to use ChatGPT to help draft various documents. I imagined using the AI to take a first pass, with an experienced human writer fine tuning and polishing.
This week I did an experiment and used ChatGPT to generate a simple RFP for a typical residential roof replacement project. In this case I actually had ChatGPT do all of the writing, and limited my work to prompting it, as I might prompt an assistant drafting a document for me.
Scroll down a bit past the news to see ChatGPT's full RFP.
AI and Tech News
First, a quick summary of some interesting recent developments in the AI space.
AI-Detectors
OpenAI (the maker of ChatGPT) released a new tool to detect AI-generated text. GPTZero is another popular tool used for this purpose.
Neither seems to be particularly reliable so far. The Verge found mixed results with OpenAI's tool and as you can see from the screenshots below GPTZero had some trouble with my simple test.
ChatGPT Plus
OpenAI formally announced that it's making a version of ChatGPT aimed at professionals called ChatGPT Plus.
It will cost $20/month and is intended to target "professional use-cases, including drafting & editing content, brainstorming ideas, programming help, and learning new topics" by providing more reliable general access, faster response times, and priority access to new features.
AI in the U.S. House
U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss introduced a bill on the House floor using AI-generated text.
“There were probably about a dozen of my colleagues on the floor. I bet none of them knew it was written by a computer,” he said.
Using ChatGPT to Generate a Roofing RFP
Below is a simple request for proposals (RFP) for a residential roofing replacement project. The text was entirely generated by ChatGPT, though the bot required specific prompting from me on technical details.
My point in sharing this is not about how "smart" ChatGPT is nor to say this RFP is ready for prime time as-is, but just as a simple demonstration of one way I think the technology could be useful to busy professionals.
I had ChatGPT generate this while I was doing something else. I started with the following prompt:
Write a request for proposals that a homeowner could use to solicit bids for an asphalt shingle roof replacement project.
...and then just checked in every so often between other tasks, prompted it to add or edit the text, and went back to what I was doing.
It was the kind of iterative back-and-forth that would have driven a human assistant nuts. But ChatGPT happily listened and implemented my instructions each time.
All told I spent about 5 minutes actually interacting with the bot.
If you want to see the evolution of the RFP and all of the individual prompts I pasted it all into this Google doc.
ChatGPT's Roofing Replacement RFP
Subject: Request for Proposal - Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement Project
Dear [Roofing Contractor],
I am in need of a new roof for my home located at [Address]. I am seeking proposals from qualified and experienced roofing contractors to replace my existing asphalt shingle roof with a new one.
Scope of Work:
Remove and dispose of existing asphalt shingle roof
Replace all existing rotted or otherwise damaged decking with new plywood to match existing decking thickness
Confirm existing decking is cut a minimum 1" either side of ridge and existing soffit baffles are open and unobstructed
Replace existing soffit and ridge vents with new CertainTeed Ridge Vent and InvisiVent
Install 2 courses of CertainTeed WinterGuard HT at eaves and valleys
Install 1 course of CertainTeed WinterGuard HT at ridge and rakes
Install CertainTeed WinterGuard HT at all penetrations and a minimum of 18" up rising walls
Install new drip edge around the perimeter of the roof
Install CertainTeed DiamondDeck underlayment in the field of the roof
Install CertainTeed Landmark Pro shingles with a minimum of 30-year warranty
Clean up and haul away all debris from the job site
Note: Products manufactured by Owens Corning and GAF which are similar to the CertainTeed products specified will also be acceptable, however all main system components installed shall be provided by a single manufacturer.
Requirements:
Proof of insurance, including workers' compensation and general liability
Valid contractor's license
References from past roofing projects
2-year labor warranty from the contractor
30-year manufacturer's warranty on materials
Compliance with all published manufacturer's installation instructions
Compliance with applicable requirements of the building code
Submission Requirements:
A detailed proposal, including a breakdown of materials and labor costs
A unit price ($/SF) for decking replacement
A timeline for completion of the project
A copy of the contractor's license
Copies of insurance certificates, including workers' compensation and general liability
Any applicable certifications or qualifications
A list of references from past roofing projects
Deadline for Proposal Submission: [Insert Date]
I look forward to reviewing your proposals and working with the selected contractor to complete this project.
Sincerely, [Your Name]