About
Kreo is an AI-powered construction takeoff and estimating platform that transforms how AEC professionals interact with project drawings. Built on agentic computer vision, Kreo's core engine (Kreo 6.0) automatically detects elements across construction sheets, cross-references data, and generates flexible cost reports without manual input. Key capabilities include Auto Measure, which detects and measures rooms, walls, doors, windows, and custom areas with a single click; Auto Count, which identifies and tallies matching objects across all pages of a drawing set; and Caddie AI, a conversational assistant that understands technical construction plans, zones drawing areas (legends, title blocks, notes), and surfaces related specifications via cross-reference intelligence. The platform also supports voice interaction so teams can query drawings hands-free, and an API layer enables integration with existing estimating workflows. Automatic classification and labeling means every detected element is named, typed, and assigned an ID by AI — eliminating manual categorization. Kreo is suited for flooring, concrete, electrical, framing, drywall, painting, steel, and masonry trades. Its cloud-based architecture means teams can access projects from anywhere, and the intuitive interface requires no BIM expertise. Enterprise clients include John Lewis, Willmott Dixon, Artelia Group, and PC Construction.
Key Features
- Auto Measure: AI automatically detects and measures rooms, walls, doors, windows, and custom areas on construction drawings with a single click.
- Auto Count: Point at any element and AI instantly finds and counts every matching object across all pages of a drawing set, with precise differentiation between similar elements.
- Caddie AI Assistant: A construction-aware conversational AI that reads drawings like an engineer, understands scale and context, answers voice queries, and cross-references specifications across sheets.
- AI Zone Mapping: Automatically detects and separates drawing zones — main drawing areas, legends, tables, title blocks, and notes — for structured, intelligent sheet interaction.
- Automatic Classification & Reporting: Every detected element is automatically named, typed, and assigned an ID by AI, then compiled into flexible reports that feed directly into cost estimates.
Use Cases
- Quantity surveyors automating area and element measurements across large drawing sets to produce cost plans faster.
- Cost estimators using AI-generated takeoffs to build accurate bids in a fraction of the time compared to manual methods.
- General contractors reviewing drawings with Caddie AI to quickly surface specifications, schedules, and cross-referenced data without flipping through pages.
- Specialty trade subcontractors (electrical, flooring, drywall, etc.) performing precise object counts and material estimates directly from blueprints.
- AEC firms onboarding new estimating staff with a no-code, AI-assisted platform that reduces reliance on specialized BIM expertise.
Pros
- Dramatically Faster Takeoffs: Automates the most time-consuming parts of quantity surveying and estimating, enabling bids to be produced up to 10x faster than manual methods.
- No BIM Expertise Required: Works directly with standard 2D construction drawings in a no-code cloud interface, making advanced AI accessible to all team members regardless of technical background.
- Enterprise-Proven with Strong Reviews: Rated 4.6/5 by 80+ reviews and trusted by major firms including Willmott Dixon and Artelia Group, demonstrating reliability at scale.
- Cross-Sheet Intelligence: AI maintains context across all sheets in a drawing set, enabling cross-referencing of tags, schedules, and specifications without manual lookups.
Cons
- Construction-Specific Use Case: Kreo is purpose-built for AEC professionals; it offers little value to teams outside the construction, architecture, or engineering sectors.
- Pricing Not Publicly Detailed: Full pricing tiers are not transparently listed, which may require a sales call to determine cost for larger teams or enterprise deployments.
- Cloud-Only Platform: As a cloud-based solution, Kreo requires a stable internet connection and may not suit firms with strict data residency or offline working requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of construction drawings does Kreo support?
Kreo works with standard 2D construction drawings and blueprints across a wide range of trades including flooring, concrete, electrical, framing, drywall, painting, steel, and masonry. It also supports BIM takeoff workflows.
How does Auto Count work?
You point at one instance of any element — such as a window, fixture, or structural component — and Kreo's AI searches through all pages of your drawing set to find and count every matching instance, grouping similar elements separately for accuracy.
Can Kreo integrate with existing estimating workflows?
Yes. Kreo offers an API that allows integration with external estimating and cost planning tools, and it generates flexible reports that can be exported and used within broader project workflows.
Is Kreo suitable for small firms or just enterprises?
Kreo serves a wide range of company sizes, from boutique consultancies with 11–50 employees to large enterprises with 10,000+ employees. A free trial is available, making it accessible for smaller teams to evaluate before committing.
What is Caddie AI?
Caddie AI is Kreo's built-in construction drawing assistant. It reads and understands technical plans, answers natural language (and voice) questions about drawing content, and cross-references tags, specifications, and schedules across all connected sheets.
