Fast Estimate vs. QuoteIQ
Built by Scott Herberg, 28 years in HVAC. Not a generalist app that added HVAC as a category.
The HVAC-specific QuoteIQ alternative
QuoteIQ bundles AI quoting into a 50+ trade CRM that grew up around pressure washing and exterior work. Fast Estimate is built around one workflow: how an HVAC replacement actually gets quoted in the driveway.
Trade focus decides which AI writes the better quote
An AI quoting tool is only as good as what it was built to understand. QuoteIQ's instant-quote engine shines at measurement-driven exterior work — square footage of driveway, linear feet of gutter — where a website widget can price the job before anyone visits. HVAC replacements do not work that way: the right quote depends on the equipment on the pad, the electrical, the line set run, code items and access. Fast Estimate's AI is prompted around exactly that reality — it reads unit photos and drafts installed-cost line items an HVAC contractor would recognize as their own.
The billing model matters as much as the AI. Credit-metered quoting punishes the habit that grows a shop: quoting every single call, including the long shots. Fast Estimate includes unlimited AI estimates in the flat monthly rate, so a July heat wave with fifteen quote requests in a day costs the same as a quiet week in October.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fast Estimate | QuoteIQ |
|---|---|---|
| Built specifically for HVAC | (50+ trades) | |
| AI estimate from job photos | ||
| AI vision flags unit condition on the estimate (rust, sizing, access, code) | (photo-to-quote, no condition notes) | |
| Job photos shown on the customer's estimate & PDF | ||
| Built-in e-signature | ||
| Deposit / down payment collection | ||
| Designed for solo operators & small crews | ||
| Full FSM suite (dispatch, scheduling, invoicing) | (estimating-first) | |
| Setup time | Minutes | Minutes |
Comparison reflects publicly available product information as of June 2026. Always confirm current features directly with each vendor.
Fast Estimate
The pitch: Snap a photo of the unit, describe the job, and get a branded, line-itemized PDF estimate with e-signature and deposit collection — in under two minutes, built by Scott Herberg, 28 years in HVAC.
Pros
- Purpose-built for HVAC replacement and service work — not a side category in a 50-trade platform
- AI reads the photos and proposes equipment, labor, and parts pricing automatically
- AI vision actually inspects your photos — flagging rust, corrosion, sizing, access, and electrical issues — and writes a customer-facing site assessment right onto the estimate
- The customer sees their own unit: job photos are attached to the estimate and the branded PDF, right next to the AI assessment — a powerful trust and close booster
- E-signature, deposits, and branded PDF export included on every account
- Mobile-first — designed to be used standing in the driveway, not at a desk
- No bloated FSM you don't need if all you want is fast, accurate estimates
Cons
- Not a full field service management platform — no dispatch, scheduling, or job costing module (by design)
- Newer platform without the years of reviews larger competitors have
QuoteIQ
The pitch: A 50+ trade field service CRM with AI estimating bundled in, originally built for pressure washing and exterior trades.
Pros
- AI photo-to-quote feature is genuinely capable and bundled at every plan tier
- Full FSM suite — scheduling, invoicing, CRM — in one platform
- Large user base and active App Store/Google Play review presence
Cons
- Built first for pressure washing, lawn care, and exterior trades — HVAC-specific service-dispatch workflows are reported as less developed than dedicated HVAC platforms
- Adds a full CRM/FSM layer even if all you want is a fast estimate
- AI usage is metered by credits, which can run out faster than expected on heavier features like the virtual call team
Which one fits your shop?
Choose QuoteIQ if…
- You run an exterior-services business — pressure washing, lawn care, windows
- You want a lightweight CRM with instant-quote website widgets for consumer lead capture
- You quote by measurements and square footage more than by equipment
Choose Fast Estimate if…
- You quote HVAC equipment, and tonnage, SEER2 and line sets need to be right
- You want unlimited AI estimates on a flat rate — no credit meters or usage tiers
- You want the whole close loop: options, e-signature, deposit, invoice, review request and referral offer
Switching takes an afternoon, not a quarter
- 1 Start the free trial and run your current job through the photo flow
- 2 Load your price book and terms so every quote is consistent across your techs
- 3 Compare the finished PDF against your old quotes — then decide with real evidence
Fast Estimate vs. QuoteIQ — common questions
Is Fast Estimate's AI metered like credit-based tools?
No. Estimates are unlimited on the flat $99.99/month plan — quote every call, including the ones you might not win, without watching a usage meter.
What makes it HVAC-specific?
The AI is prompted and priced around residential HVAC work: replacements, heat pumps, mini-splits, furnaces, ductwork and IAQ. It reads unit photos, respects your price book, and structures quotes the way HVAC contractors and homeowners expect.
Does it work for service calls or just replacements?
Both. Service and repair quotes work the same way — pick the job type, add notes and photos, and the AI drafts appropriate diagnostic, labor and parts line items you can edit before sending.
Ready to quote faster?
Snap a photo, add the details, and hand the homeowner a branded, line-itemized estimate before you leave the driveway. 7-day free trial — no credit card.
See the full comparison: Fast Estimate vs. the field