How AI is Solving a Common Plumbing Inventory Problem

At L&L Engineering, we build AI tools that solve practical problems for businesses. One challenge that kept coming up in conversations with plumbing companies was inventory management. Keeping track of fittings, valves, and pipes is a constant struggle—misplaced materials lead to lost time, over-ordering wastes money, and under-ordering causes delays.

We saw an opportunity to fix this with AI. That’s how ShopStockAI came to be.

The Problem: Constant Inventory Headache

Most plumbing businesses rely on manual tracking—handwritten lists, whiteboards, or spreadsheets—to manage inventory. Some have inventory software, but it often requires time-consuming data entry, which doesn’t fit the reality of a job site.

The result?

• Supplies run out unexpectedly, delaying jobs.

• Extra parts get ordered “just in case,” tying up cash in unused inventory.

• Plumbers spend time searching for materials instead of working.

The Solution: AI That Works the Way Plumbers Do

Instead of trying to force traditional inventory systems onto a fast-moving trade, we built ShopStockAI to work within existing workflows.

• Photo Recognition: Snap a picture of fittings or pipes, and the system identifies them and logs them in real-time.

• Voice Commands: No need to type—just say what you used, and it updates the system.

• Automated Reordering: The system tracks usage patterns and predicts when supplies will run low.

• Real-Time Inventory Visibility: Everyone on the team can see what’s in stock without digging through bins or driving back to the shop.

What We’ve Learned

Rolling this out with contractors has reinforced something we already believed: AI isn’t useful if it adds complexity. The key is designing it to fit seamlessly into existing workflows. ShopStockAI isn’t about replacing how plumbers work—it’s about removing the friction that slows them down.

This approach isn’t just limited to plumbing. Any industry that relies on managing physical inventory could benefit from AI-driven tracking. Our goal is to keep exploring where AI can take on these kinds of repetitive, time-consuming tasks so businesses can focus on the work that really matters.

Let’s Talk About Your Inventory Challenges

If managing inventory is slowing down your business, you’re not alone. We built ShopStockAI to make tracking materials effortless, so plumbers can focus on the job—not on spreadsheets.

Want to see ShopStockAI in action? Check out the demo video: ShopStockAI demo video

Instructions on using the app can be found here: ShopStockAI – Instructions.

Curious if AI could help your team? Reach out and let’s talk. We’d love to hear about your challenges and explore how AI can make your workflow smoother.