An AI watchdog for building projects that warns you about delays and overspending

🧰 Before you start

• An n8n account (cloud, or someone to install it for you)
• A Google account with Sheets and Gmail
• A Gemini API key from Google AI Studio (some usage is free; higher use is paid)
• Your project data in Google Sheets: projects, budget, materials, labour, site reports

🪜 Steps (tick as you go)

1. ☐
   1. Open the template

   Tap the 'n8n template' button on this page and click 'Use for free' to copy it into your n8n account.

2. ☐
   2. Copy the sheet layout

   Read the template notes and create a Google Sheet with the same tabs (Projects, Budget, Procurement, Labour, Site reports).

3. ☐
   3. Fill in one project

   Add one live project with real numbers and the site's location (latitude and longitude from Google Maps).

4. ☐
   4. Connect your accounts

   In n8n, connect Google Sheets, Gmail and your Gemini key where the template asks.

5. ☐
   5. Test it

   Click 'Test workflow'. Check the email it sends makes sense.

6. ☐
   6. Switch it on

   Activate the workflow. It runs at 7 a.m. Monday to Friday by default; change the time to Malaysia time if needed.

7. ☐
   7. Keep the sheet updatedOptional extra

   The alerts are only as good as the data. Ask site staff to update the sheet daily.

💬 Prompts to copy

You are a construction project watchdog. Using the risk scores and data provided, write a short email to the project lead:
1. Overall risk: low / medium / high, and why in one sentence.
2. The single biggest bottleneck and what to do about it today.
3. Weather risk for the next 7 days at the site (heavy rain days).
4. Budget: spent vs planned (MYR) and forecast overrun.
Plain English, no jargon, max 150 words. Don't invent numbers.

🔗 Links

• X post (source): https://x.com/iamvaarr/status/2106738663883497743
• n8n template: triage construction project risk with Gemini: https://n8n.io/workflows/20433-triage-construction-project-risk-with-google-sheets-open-meteo-gemini-and-gmail/

From https://usecasy.com/use-case/gemini-construction-watchdog/ · Guide checked 15 October 2026 · Prices are rough and shown in USD unless stated (MYR where relevant).