FastEST Review
Estimating software for plumbing, mechanical piping, HVAC ductwork and insulation (FastPIPE, FastDUCT, FastWRAP)
Fit Score
Fit Score
▸ How we scored FastEST: 6.8/10
| Factor | Weight | Sub-score |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical fit (best trade) | 60% | 8.0/10 |
| Pricing transparency | 20% | 10.0/10 |
| Integration coverage | 20% | 0.0/10 |
Weighted composite, applied identically to every vendor; no vendor pays to change it. Full Fit Score methodology →
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Quick verdict
FastEST is best for Commercial plumbing, mechanical, HVAC sheet metal and insulation contractors who want trade-specific estimating on Windows and prefer to lease or buy a license rather than subscribe. Pricing starts at $250/mo per application install. Trade fit of 8/10 or higher: HVAC, Plumbing.
Reviews on review sites
We do not copy third-party review scores onto this page: they change often and we could not verify them. Read FastEST's current reviews at the source.
About FastEST
FastEST is estimating software for mechanical trades, sold as three applications on a shared platform: FastPIPE for plumbing, HVAC piping and industrial process piping; FastDUCT for commercial HVAC sheet metal and industrial ductwork; and FastWRAP for mechanical insulation. Estimators take off quantities on screen from PDF plans and image files, and the software calculates quantities such as linear feet, weight, surface area, material costs and labor hours. Results export to Excel, CSV and XML for the final bid summary.
FastEST, Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. It says it has thousands of users, from single-estimator startups to large multi-office firms. The catalogs include duct, fittings, piping and insulation products, with material pricing you can set per job from your supplier quotes. FastPIPE can use MCAA or PHCC labor estimates, and FastDUCT works together with FastPIPE on combined jobs. The software runs on Windows, including tablets and touch-screen PCs.
Each application is priced for a stand-alone install on one PC or tablet. You can lease at $250 a month for the first application and $105 a month for each additional one (FastPIPE and FastDUCT together are $355 a month); maintenance is included and the license is yours after 36 payments. Or you can buy at $4,995 for the first application and $2,495 for each additional one, with the first year of maintenance included and optional maintenance after that of $1,250 a year for the first application and $250 a year for each additional one. Purchases include installation assistance, online training and support, and material pricing updates, with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Shared network licensing is quoted separately.
The trade-off: FastEST is a real upfront or monthly cost per application, and a contractor who bids piping, ductwork and insulation needs more than one. It covers estimating only, runs on Windows, and names no accounting or field-service integrations, so data moves to other systems through Excel, CSV or XML exports.
Pricing
| Tier | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lease | See pricing note | |
| Purchase | See pricing note |
Per application, for a stand-alone install on a single PC or tablet. Lease: $250/mo first application, $105/mo each additional (FastPIPE + FastDUCT combo $355/mo), maintenance included, non-binding, license owned after 36 payments. Purchase: $4,995 first application, $2,495 each additional (FastPIPE + FastDUCT combo $7,490), first year of maintenance included; maintenance is then optional at $1,250 a year for the first application and $250 a year for each additional one. 60-day money-back guarantee. Enterprise shared-session (network) licensing is quoted. Verified against fastest-inc.com/pricing 2026-10-08.
FastEST starts at $250/mo per application install. That is a price for one application installed on one PC or tablet; see the pricing note for additional applications, purchase prices and network licensing. We place it in our top price band ($250 or more per user per month) by counting one install as one user. None of its 2 tiers has a price in our table; see the pricing note.
Pricing verified 2026-10-08. Prices can change, so confirm them with FastEST before purchasing.
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Key features
Integrations
Pros
- + Built for mechanical trades
FastPIPE, FastDUCT and FastWRAP each cover one scope (piping, ductwork, insulation) with catalogs and labor data for that work.
- + Lease or buy
Lease from $250 a month for the first application and own it after 36 payments, or buy it for $4,995. Both options include maintenance for the covered period.
- + Training and updates included
Purchases include installation assistance, online training and support, and material pricing updates.
- + 60-day money-back guarantee
FastEST offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on both lease and purchase.
- + Industry labor data
FastPIPE can use MCAA or PHCC labor estimates, and FastDUCT labor rates can be adjusted for job or site conditions.
Cons
- − Priced per application
Each application costs $250 a month or $4,995 for the first one, plus $105 a month or $2,495 for each additional, so covering piping, ductwork and insulation adds up.
- − One PC per license
Published prices cover a stand-alone install on one PC or tablet. Several estimators sharing a network license need a quote.
- − Windows only
FastEST describes its software as running on Windows PCs and tablets; no web or Mac version is mentioned.
- − Estimating only
It produces takeoffs and bid summaries, not scheduling, dispatch or invoicing, and no accounting integration is named.
Implementation
Decide which applications you need (FastPIPE for piping, FastDUCT for ductwork, FastWRAP for insulation) and whether to lease or buy; the lease includes maintenance and the license is owned after 36 payments. If more than one estimator needs access, ask for network licensing pricing. Use the included installation assistance and online training to set up your material prices from supplier quotes and adjust labor rates for your crews. Test a real bid inside the 60-day money-back window, and set up an Excel template for the bid summary if you move numbers into other systems.
Best for / Watch out for
Best for
Commercial plumbing, mechanical, HVAC sheet metal and insulation contractors who want trade-specific estimating on Windows and prefer to lease or buy a license rather than subscribe
Watch out for
Each application is priced separately ($250 a month lease or $4,995 purchase for the first one), published prices cover one PC or tablet, and it is Windows estimating software with no accounting integrations named
Available for these trades
Alternatives to FastEST
Matched on tool type, shared trades, price tier and team size.
Quote-only pricing, so compare on fit not cost.
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Quote-only pricing, so compare on fit not cost; also strong for hvac.
Quote-only pricing, so compare on fit not cost; also strong for hvac.
Quote-only pricing, so compare on fit not cost.
Quote-only pricing, so compare on fit not cost.
User reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much does FastEST cost?
Per application, for one PC or tablet. Lease: $250 a month for the first application and $105 a month for each additional one, with maintenance included and the license owned after 36 payments. Purchase: $4,995 for the first application and $2,495 for each additional one, with the first year of maintenance included and optional maintenance after that ($1,250 a year for the first application, $250 for each additional one). Network licensing is quoted separately.
What are FastPIPE, FastDUCT and FastWRAP?
The three FastEST applications: FastPIPE for plumbing, HVAC piping and industrial process piping; FastDUCT for commercial HVAC sheet metal and ductwork; FastWRAP for mechanical insulation. They share one platform, and FastDUCT works together with FastPIPE.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. FastEST offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on both purchases and leases.
Does FastEST run in the cloud?
FastEST describes its software as running on Windows, including tablets and touch-screen PCs, installed on a single PC or on a network. No web or Mac version is mentioned.
Who makes FastEST?
FastEST, Inc., incorporated in 1994 and headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. It says it has thousands of users across the country.
FastEST or McCormick for mechanical estimating?
Both are trade-specific estimating tools. FastEST publishes lease and purchase prices per application and covers piping, ductwork and insulation on Windows. McCormick covers electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, is cloud-based with an on-premises option, and is sold by quote.
Ready to try FastEST?
Pricing starts at $250/mo per application install.
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