Kestrel - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

Kestrel is a PDF takeoff software application designed for construction estimators within the United Kingdom. It enables direct measurement of quantities from PDF construction drawings and generates NRM2-compliant Bills of Quantities ready for pricing. The platform addresses the extensive time demands of manual takeoff processes across sectors such as office, residential, education, laboratory and self-storage projects. It supports experienced estimators in streamlining measurement and documentation workflows.

Kestrel provides comprehensive measurement capabilities that capture lengths, areas and counts directly on PDF drawings through an interactive interface. Users calibrate the drawing scale once and the software automatically aggregates quantities by finish type and designated zone as measurements are recorded. An AI-assisted feature can scan drawings for listed finishes and extract scale information from title blocks, reducing the need for manual data entry. This AI functionality requires an Anthropic API key and incurs processing costs of three pence per PDF document, billed directly to the user.

The software generates NRM2-compliant Bills of Quantities exported to Excel with quantities, codes, descriptions and live formulas that update totals upon entry of rates. Annotated PDFs include a Takeoff Legend and Quantity Key for each sheet along with a drawing register to maintain an audit trail. A live preview interface allows precise selection of export elements before finalizing the output. These features eliminate extensive formatting and manual keying tasks while maintaining full control over the takeoff process.

Kestrel is delivered as a Windows desktop application with an offline-first architecture that stores project files locally in a single container including embedded drawings. Standard takeoff operations do not require continuous internet connectivity or user login credentials, although the license validation system performs online checks every few days. The absence of cloud-based storage provides direct user control over project data and files. The software is currently in closed beta testing with free access during the testing period and will transition to paid licensing plans upon official launch.