Frequently Asked Questions

The Kealee AI Concept Engine delivers property-specific design concepts for your renovation, addition, garden, or development project. Submit your address and goals — we analyze your specific property and deliver 3 design concept options in 5–7 business days, along with a 30-minute consultation call.

An AI concept is a pre-design visualization service. It shows you what your project could look like — renderings, layout direction, material palettes, and a rough cost range — before you commit to anything. Architectural services produce permit-ready, stamped drawings that contractors can legally build from. The AI concept is a planning and visualization tool; architectural drawings are required to pull a permit and begin construction.

No. AI concept packages are pre-design services only. They are not permit-ready plans. Most jurisdictions require architect-stamped or engineer-stamped drawings to obtain a building permit. If you need permit-ready plans, see our Design Services page.

You need permit-ready plans whenever you plan to pull a building permit — which is required for structural changes, additions, ADUs, new construction, and most work that affects the building envelope or mechanical systems. AI concepts help you decide what you want before investing in full architectural drawings.

Yes. If you already have architect-stamped or engineer-stamped drawings, our permit service team can prepare and submit your permit application directly without needing to create new plans.

Start with an AI concept package to clarify your vision, then move to our Design Services for permit-ready architectural drawings. Our team can coordinate the full sequence — concept → design → permit — so nothing falls through the cracks.

After receiving your concept package, you have several options: (1) use it to get contractor bids for non-permit work; (2) move to Design Services for permit-ready plans; (3) use it to match with a contractor through our Marketplace. Your consultation call covers next steps for your specific project.

Exterior, garden, and interior reno concept packages start at $395. Whole home and developer concept packages start at $585. Advanced tiers with more revision rounds and detailed drawings are also available.

Every package includes 3 property-specific concept options, a design direction summary, layout recommendations, a zoning/permit brief, rough cost direction, a downloadable digital package, and a 30-minute design consultation call.

Standard delivery is 5–7 business days from intake submission. Rush delivery options are available — contact us to discuss.

The base AI Concept Package includes 1 feedback round with 3 concept options. Advanced packages include up to 3 rounds, and full design packages include up to 5 rounds.

Concepts are generated using our AI design system trained on thousands of residential and commercial projects, then reviewed by our design team before delivery. You work with a real person on consultation and feedback rounds.

Kealee matches homeowners and developers with verified, background-checked contractors in their area. You describe your project, we surface matched contractors, and you review profiles and request bids — all within the platform.

Every contractor in our network undergoes license verification, insurance confirmation, and background screening. We also collect and display verified project reviews.

Our contractor network is screened for active state licensing, liability insurance, and project fit. We verify license status through state contractor boards, confirm insurance certificates directly, and review experience against your project type. Contractors who do not meet our standards are not admitted to the network.

Visit /contractor/register and complete the application. Our team reviews your license, insurance, and experience, and if approved, you will start receiving matched project opportunities.

Browsing the marketplace is free. Contractors pay a platform fee on completed projects. Homeowners pay a small matching fee when they connect with contractors for bids.

Kealee uses milestone-based escrow payments. Funds are held securely and released to your contractor only when you approve each project milestone. This protects you as a homeowner while giving contractors confidence in payment.

Milestone-based escrow protects you from overpaying for incomplete work. Funds are held by a neutral third party and only released when you approve a completed milestone — such as framing inspection passing, rough-in complete, or final punch list signed. This means contractors are motivated to complete each phase on time, and you are never left paying for work that was not done.

Kealee provides a dispute resolution process for escrowed payments. Funds are held during the resolution period and only released once both parties reach agreement or the dispute is resolved through our process.

Yes. All payment processing is handled by Stripe, which is PCI DSS Level 1 certified. Kealee never stores your card details directly.

The Owner Portal gives homeowners a dashboard to track their project progress, approve payments at each milestone, message their contractor and team, and review project documents — all in one place.

The Developer Portal is a full project and portfolio management platform for developers. It includes land intelligence, feasibility pro formas, capital stack tracking, draw management, Digital Development Twin System (DDTS) access, and multi-project reporting.

The Contractor Portal is a construction OS for GCs and specialty contractors. It includes schedule management, RFI tracking, punch lists, crew communication, and milestone payment management.

Log in at /login. If you don't yet have an account, you can register as a homeowner through the intake process, as a contractor at /contractor/register, or contact us to set up a developer account.

AI Concept Engine services are available nationwide. The contractor marketplace is currently focused on the DC–Baltimore Corridor and expanding to additional markets. Contact us to check availability in your area.

Visit /pricing for a full breakdown of AI concept packages, marketplace fees, and portal subscription tiers.

Visit /contact to reach our team. We respond to all inquiries within 1 business day.