Construction worker built website with almost no coding experience, now facing 1 big issue

A construction worker has built a working website using AI tools despite limited coding experience, aiming to solve real problems on job sites. However, as the project expanded, he ran into a major challenge that exposed the limits of AI-led development.

In Short

• A construction worker built a website with almost no coding knowledge
• He built a paperwork management website using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude
• Despite success, a major problem emerged due to AI

A construction worker with almost no coding expertise has managed to build a functional website using AI tools, showing how technology is opening new doors for non-developers. However, his experience also suggests that while building digital products has become easier, scaling them comes with its own set of challenges. The 34-year-old individual, who now works as a superintendent, grew up around construction sites, learning the trade from his father, who specialised in tower projects.

Due to his father's dyslexia, he often helped with drawings and communication, gaining early exposure to the industry. Despite this, his parents encouraged him to pursue formal education, leading him to complete a degree in programming and business management from Douglas College. While he understood the business side well, coding proved to be difficult. He told Business Insider that he briefly attempted to work in programming and even took up small website projects, but the time and effort required did not translate into sustainable income. He eventually moved focus back to construction, where he built a stable career and moved into a leadership role. So, while he did had a little idea of coding, but that was not sufficient to solve issues that he was experiencing.

Construction worker built website using AI, but he is now facing 1 big issue

His interest in building digital tools resurfaced two years ago, during a period when he was balancing work with caring for a newborn. With limited time available, he began experimenting with AI-powered tools, using them to write and debug code instead of relying on traditional programming methods. Platforms such as ChatGPT played a key role in helping him understand and generate code, while tools like Cursor and Claude further improved his workflow. This approach allowed him to focus on solving real-world problems without needing deep technical expertise.

Drawing from his daily experience on construction sites, he identified a recurring issue — paperwork management. Supervisors are often responsible for completing safety forms for large teams, especially when existing software solutions are either too costly or not widely accessible.

To address this, he developed a simple web-based tool hosted on Vercel. The platform allowed workers to fill out forms, convert them into PDFs, and send them directly for review. Within his team, the solution proved effective and was adopted for daily use.

Encouraged by the initial success, he expanded the platform by adding more features, including a supervisor interface and payment integration through Stripe, with the aim of exploring monetisation. However, as the platform evolved and reached a wider audience online, limitations began to surface. Along with performance issues, the platform also revealed security gaps, including a flaw that allowed a user to send messages across all accounts, highlighting the risks of building without deep technical oversight. The system, which had worked well in a controlled environment, struggled under broader usage and scrutiny.

Issues related to functionality and platform stability emerged, alongside deeper concerns around system design. Feedback from online users pointed to gaps that had not been considered during development, particularly in areas that require specialised technical knowledge.

The experience prompted him to reassess his approach. He has since paused further expansion and is rebuilding the platform with a stronger focus on structure, reliability and long-term scalability. The next version is expected to combine elements of professional networking with construction management tools.

How to build a website without coding knowledge?

AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are making it possible for individuals without formal coding skills to build applications. Development environments such as Cursor further simplify the process by integrating AI assistance directly into workflows. At the same time, no-code platforms like WordPress and Shopify continue to offer accessible alternatives for building websites.

In India, the cost of creating a basic website can start from almost zero on free plans and the paid plans start under Rs 1,000 per month, with domain registration typically costing Rs 500 to Rs 1,200 annually. More advanced tools, particularly for e-commerce, can cost upwards of Rs 2,000 per month, while AI tool usage may add to the overall expense depending on usage levels.

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