FastPIPE
FastPIPE is a specialized mechanical estimating software designed to help commercial contractors quickly perform digital takeoffs and generate precise bids for plumbing, HVAC, and industrial piping projects.
Housecall Pro
Housecall Pro is an all-in-one field service management software that helps home service professionals automate scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and payment processing to grow their business and save time.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | FastPIPE | Housecall Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Website | fastpipe.com | housecallpro.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $49/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1995 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Palm Coast, USA | San Diego, USA |
Overview
FastPIPE
FastPIPE provides you with a dedicated environment for mechanical estimating, specifically tailored for plumbing and HVAC contractors. You can perform on-screen takeoffs directly from digital plans, allowing you to measure pipe lengths and count fittings with just a few clicks. The system automatically calculates labor hours and material costs based on a comprehensive built-in database, which you can customize to match your specific shop standards and local labor rates.
You can generate professional bid proposals and detailed reports that break down costs by section, system, or phase. By moving away from manual scaling and paper plans, you reduce the risk of mathematical errors and significantly cut down the time spent on each bid. It integrates your takeoff and estimating workflows into a single process, ensuring that your final quotes are both competitive and profitable.
Housecall Pro
Housecall Pro is a comprehensive platform designed to help you run your entire home service business from a single app. Whether you are a plumber, electrician, or HVAC technician, you can move away from paper-based systems and manage your team more effectively. You can handle everything from the initial customer call to the final payment without switching between different tools.
The software streamlines your daily operations by automating repetitive tasks like appointment reminders and follow-up emails. You can track your technicians in the field, provide instant estimates, and offer flexible financing options to your customers directly through the interface. It is built to scale with your company, helping you provide a professional experience that keeps customers coming back.
Overview
FastPIPE Features
- On-Screen Takeoff Perform digital takeoffs directly from PDF files by clicking points on your screen to measure pipes and fittings.
- Mechanical Database Access a pre-loaded library of thousands of items including pipes, valves, and hangers with pre-assigned labor and material units.
- Excel Integration Export your takeoff data directly into formatted Excel spreadsheets for further analysis or custom reporting.
- Specification Driven Set up project-specific specs so the software automatically selects the correct materials and joints as you perform your takeoff.
- Visual Audit Trail Review your work easily with color-coded overlays on your original plans to ensure you haven't missed any sections.
- Custom Assemblies Create your own assemblies for common configurations like bathroom groups to speed up repetitive counting tasks.
Housecall Pro Features
- Smart Scheduling. Drag and drop appointments onto your calendar and instantly notify your technicians of new jobs via the mobile app.
- Live Map Dispatching. Track your team's location in real-time to optimize routes and provide customers with accurate arrival windows.
- Instant Invoicing. Generate professional invoices in the field and send them via text or email the moment a job is finished.
- Online Booking. Let your customers book services directly through your website or Facebook page at their own convenience.
- Automated Marketing. Send automated postcards and thank-you emails to your past customers to drive repeat business and reviews.
- Mobile Payments. Accept credit cards and digital payments on-site with competitive processing rates and next-day payouts.
Pricing Comparison
FastPIPE Pricing
Housecall Pro Pricing
- 1 user included
- Real-time dispatching
- Invoicing and estimates
- Online booking
- Automated receipts
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Up to 5 users
- QuickBooks Online integration
- Automated review requests
- Employee GPS tracking
- Chat support
Pros & Cons
FastPIPE
Pros
- Extremely fast learning curve for experienced mechanical estimators
- Highly accurate material and labor calculations for piping
- Excellent customer support and personalized training sessions
- Seamless transition from digital takeoff to final bid
Cons
- Initial setup of custom databases takes time
- Interface feels dated compared to modern web apps
- Pricing is not transparent for small contractors
Housecall Pro
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for technicians in the field
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online saves accounting time
- Automated customer notifications reduce no-show appointments
- Professional looking estimates help close more sales
Cons
- Additional fees for certain add-on features
- Learning curve for setting up complex price books
- Customer support response times vary during peak hours