Predictika · Hardwood flooring orders

An AI sales agent's hardwood flooring order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for a flooring contractor who wants Bruce 3/4 inch solid hardwood: the installation method, the subfloor, the moisture readings, the jobsite conditions and the quantity to order. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published installation instructions and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Bruce 3/4 inch solid strip and plank hardwood flooring orders: grade level, subfloor, moisture, jobsite conditions, fastening, expansion space and order quantity. See everything this validator covers

This validator models orders for Bruce 3/4 inch (19 mm) solid hardwood strip and plank flooring against Bruce's published installation instructions for that product (read October 5, 2026), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Where it can go — on or above grade only; not over radiant-heat subfloors and not in full bathrooms. Nail-down is not allowed directly to concrete, which needs a moisture retardant and a plywood subfloor; glue-down is allowed.
  • Subfloors and moisture — minimum panel thickness for plywood, OSB and solid wood subfloors, solid wood subfloor boards no wider than 6 inches, subfloor moisture at most 12 percent and a difference to the flooring of at most 3 points (2 for plank), subfloor flatness, and for concrete a 30-day-old slab with calcium chloride and in-situ probe readings within limits.
  • Jobsite and building — 60 to 80 F and 30 to 50 percent relative humidity for 14 days, 3/4 inch expansion space, crawl space height and venting, and exterior drainage.
  • Fastening and quantity — at least two fasteners per board, placed 1 to 3 inches from the ends, and the order quantity including the cutting and grading allowance (5 percent, or 10 percent for diagonal or glue-down installations).

Any Bruce 3/4 inch solid hardwood order that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (the public instructions list none, so there is no price build-up or line-item quote), species, grades and colors, other Bruce thicknesses and engineered or waterproof products, fastener spacing schedules, adhesive choice and coverage, and floating installations. Wide planks of 4 inches or more and spans over 20 feet go to a person, because the instructions describe them as considerations rather than fixed limits.

The AI sales agentBuilds the flooring order from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
A limit that depends on the subfloor typeOnly with care
Each subfloor type (plywood, OSB, solid wood, concrete) has its own minimum thickness and its own tests, so a rule per type works, but each has to be kept in step with the instructions.		The minimum thickness and the concrete tests are looked up from the subfloor chosen and checked together with everything else.
A moisture difference that depends on the product formOnly with care
The allowed difference is 3 points for strip and 2 for plank, so a price-style rule per form is needed, and the difference itself has to be calculated from two readings.		The difference is computed from the two readings and compared with the limit for the form on every call.
An order quantity that depends on the layout and methodOnly with workarounds
The allowance changes with diagonal layouts and glue-down, and the rounded-up area has to be compared with what the rep typed; this is usually left to the rep.		The required area is computed and compared with the ordered quantity, whatever the layout and method.
Rules that apply only to some installationsOnly with workarounds
Nailing rules apply to nail-down but not glue-down, and concrete tests apply to slabs and to plywood over a slab; each needs conditional rules that interact.		Conditions such as nail-down or a slab beneath the subfloor switch the relevant rules on in the same pass.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1Solid hardwood flooring may be installed on or above grade level only; below-grade installation is not allowed.
2The instructions say not to install this product over subfloors with radiant heat.
3The instructions say not to install this product in full bathrooms.
4Nail-down is not allowed directly to concrete; the instructions call for a moisture retardant and a plywood subfloor over a slab.
5The subfloor is 12 mm thick; this subfloor type needs at least 16 mm.
6The subfloor is 16 mm thick; this subfloor type needs at least 18 mm.
7Solid wood subfloor boards are 8 inches wide; the maximum is 6 inches, laid at 45 degrees to the joists.
8The subfloor is 16 mm thick; this subfloor type needs at least 19 mm.
9The wood subfloor moisture content is 13 percent; it must not exceed 12 percent.
10The moisture content differs by 4 points between subfloor and flooring; the limit is 3 points for this product.
11The moisture content differs by 3 points between subfloor and flooring; the limit is 2 points for this product.
12The concrete slab is 20 days old; it must be at least 30 days old before moisture testing begins.
13The calcium chloride test shows 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft in 24 hours; the maximum is 3.
14The in-situ probe test shows 80 percent relative humidity in the concrete; it should not exceed 75 percent.
15The subfloor varies by 7 mm over 3 m; it must be within 5 mm over 3 m.
16The jobsite temperature is 55 F; it must be 60 to 80 F.
17The jobsite temperature is 85 F; it must be 60 to 80 F.
18The jobsite relative humidity is 25 percent; it must be 30 to 50 percent.
19The jobsite relative humidity is 60 percent; it must be 30 to 50 percent.
20The jobsite has been conditioned for 7 days; it must be 14 days before and during installation.
21The expansion space around walls and obstructions is 10 mm; the minimum is 19 mm.
22The plan uses 1 fastener per board; each board needs at least 2.
23End fasteners are 5 inches from the board ends; they belong 1 to 3 inches from the ends.
24The crawl space is 12 inches from the ground to the joists; the minimum is 18 inches.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Plank floor over thin OSB: Nailed plank floor over thin OSB and a radiant-heat subfloor

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1,800 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid plank flooring in 5 inch widths, nailed down, laid straight, above grade, over a 12 mm OSB subfloor at 13 percent moisture with flooring at 9 percent, with radiant heat in the subfloor. The jobsite is at 70 F and 40 percent humidity after 14 days of conditioning, with 2 fasteners per board set 2 inches from the ends and glue added and 19 mm of expansion space. Please order 1,850 sq ft. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Radiant-heat subfloor. The instructions say not to install this product over subfloors with radiant heat.
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  • Subfloor panel too thin. The subfloor is 12 mm thick; this subfloor type needs at least 18 mm.
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  • Subfloor moisture above 12 percent. The wood subfloor moisture content is 13 percent; it must not exceed 12 percent.
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  • Moisture difference between subfloor and flooring. The moisture content differs by 4 points between subfloor and flooring; the limit is 2 points for this product.
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  • Order short of the allowance. The order is 1,850 sq ft; 1,890 sq ft are needed including the cutting and grading allowance.
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2. Plank floor over thin OSB: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1,800 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid plank flooring in 5 inch widths, nailed down, laid straight, above grade, over a 19 mm plywood subfloor at 10 percent moisture with flooring at 9 percent. The jobsite is at 70 F and 40 percent humidity after 14 days of conditioning, with 2 fasteners per board set 2 inches from the ends and glue added and 19 mm of expansion space. Please order 1,890 sq ft. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 1,890 sq ft ordered; 1,890 sq ft needed for 1,800 sq ft of floor with a 5 percent allowance.
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3. Glue-down over a new slab: Glue-down over a young, wet slab in a cold jobsite

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2,400 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid strip flooring in 3.25 inch widths, glued down, laid straight, above grade, over a concrete slab. The slab is 20 days old, with a calcium chloride reading of 5 lb and a probe reading of 82 percent. The jobsite is at 55 F and 40 percent humidity after 14 days of conditioning, with 19 mm of expansion space. Please order 2,500 sq ft. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Concrete slab too young to test. The concrete slab is 20 days old; it must be at least 30 days old before moisture testing begins.
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  • Concrete moisture transfer too high. The calcium chloride test shows 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft in 24 hours; the maximum is 3.
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  • Concrete humidity too high. The in-situ probe test shows 82 percent relative humidity in the concrete; it should not exceed 75 percent.
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  • Jobsite temperature out of range. The jobsite temperature is 55 F; it must be 60 to 80 F.
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  • Order short of the allowance. The order is 2,500 sq ft; 2,640 sq ft are needed including the cutting and grading allowance.
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4. Glue-down over a new slab: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2,400 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid strip flooring in 3.25 inch widths, glued down, laid straight, above grade, over a concrete slab. The slab is 45 days old, with a calcium chloride reading of 3 lb and a probe reading of 72 percent. The jobsite is at 55 F and 40 percent humidity after 14 days of conditioning, with 19 mm of expansion space. Please order 2,640 sq ft. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Jobsite temperature out of range. The jobsite temperature is 55 F; it must be 60 to 80 F.
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5. Glue-down over a new slab: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2,400 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid strip flooring in 3.25 inch widths, glued down, laid straight, above grade, over a concrete slab. The slab is 45 days old, with a calcium chloride reading of 3 lb and a probe reading of 72 percent. The jobsite is at 70 F and 40 percent humidity after 14 days of conditioning, with 19 mm of expansion space. Please order 2,640 sq ft. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 2,640 sq ft ordered; 2,640 sq ft needed for 2,400 sq ft of floor with a 10 percent allowance.
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6. Diagonal plank floor, below grade: Diagonal plank floor, below grade, one fastener per board

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1,500 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid plank flooring in 5 inch widths, nailed down, laid diagonally, in a below-grade room, over a 19 mm plywood subfloor at 9 percent moisture with flooring at 8 percent. The jobsite is at 70 F and 40 percent humidity after 14 days of conditioning, with 1 fasteners per board set 5 inches from the ends and 10 mm of expansion space. Please order 1,600 sq ft. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Below-grade installation not allowed. Solid hardwood flooring may be installed on or above grade level only; below-grade installation is not allowed.
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  • Expansion space too small. The expansion space around walls and obstructions is 10 mm; the minimum is 19 mm.
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  • Too few fasteners per board. The plan uses 1 fastener per board; each board needs at least 2.
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  • Fasteners not 1 to 3 inches from the ends. End fasteners are 5 inches from the board ends; they belong 1 to 3 inches from the ends.
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  • Order short of the allowance. The order is 1,600 sq ft; 1,650 sq ft are needed including the cutting and grading allowance.
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  • Wide plank without adhesive to review. Planks of 500 hundredths of an inch are 4 inches or wider; the instructions say gluing in addition to fastening may reduce seasonal movement, so a person should decide.
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7. Diagonal plank floor, below grade: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1,500 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid plank flooring in 5 inch widths, nailed down, laid diagonally, on grade, over a 19 mm plywood subfloor at 9 percent moisture with flooring at 8 percent. The jobsite is at 70 F and 40 percent humidity after 14 days of conditioning, with 2 fasteners per board set 2 inches from the ends and glue added and 19 mm of expansion space. Please order 1,650 sq ft. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 1,650 sq ft ordered; 1,650 sq ft needed for 1,500 sq ft of floor with a 10 percent allowance.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares an order for a flooring contractor who wants Bruce 3/4 inch solid hardwood: the installation method, the subfloor, the moisture readings, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published installation instructions and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote 2,400 sq ft of Bruce 3/4 inch solid strip flooring in 3.25 inch widths, glued down, laid straight, above grade, over a concrete slab. The slab is 20 days old, with a calcium chloride reading of 5 lb and a probe reading of 82 percent. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with five findings, all in one answer. The concrete slab is 20 days old; it must be at least 30 days old before moisture testing begins. The calcium chloride test shows 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft in 24 hours; the maximum is 3. The in-situ probe test shows 82 percent relative humidity in the concrete; it should not exceed 75 percent. The other two are on screen.
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  6. The validator returned five blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for a moisture difference that depends on the product form, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the quantity ordered to 2,640 sq ft, the concrete slab age to 45 days, the calcium chloride to 3 and the in-situ probe humidity to 72 percent.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. The jobsite temperature is 55 F; it must be 60 to 80 F.
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  12. Four findings cleared. Still blocking: jobsite temperature out of range.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the jobsite temperature to 70 F.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. The earlier finding is cleared.
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  18. Five problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.