FastPIPE vs McCormick Electrical Estimating Comparison: Everything You Need to Know Before Choosing

FastPIPE is a mechanical and plumbing estimating software package from FastEST, Inc., developed to help contractors in the piping trades prepare accurate, competitive bids quickly. Estimating mechanical and plumbing work involves counting and measuring large numbers of pipes, fittings, valves and hangers across drawings, then applying material prices and labour units, a process that is slow and prone to errors when carried out manually or in spreadsheets. FastPIPE's approach is to combine on-screen digitising of plans with a comprehensive database of piping materials and labour units, so that estimators can perform takeoff directly from drawings and have quantities and costs calculated automatically. The vendor's family of products also covers electrical and HVAC estimating, reflecting a long-standing focus on specialty trade contractors. Key features include digital takeoff from PDF and scanned plans, assemblies that group commonly used components for rapid entry, and extensive material databases covering pipe, fittings, valves, fixtures and specialties across different systems and materials. Labour units can be adjusted for job conditions, installation heights and productivity factors, while pricing can be updated from supplier price files to keep estimates current. Bid summary tools allow estimators to add overheads, profit, subcontracts, equipment and quotes to produce a final bid, and change order functions help price scope changes during construction. Reports detail quantities, costs and labour hours for purchasing, project management and field use, and data can be exported to other business systems. The software is typically installed on Windows computers, and the vendor provides training and support for new users. FastPIPE is aimed at plumbing contractors, mechanical contractors, process piping and fire protection firms of varying sizes. Pricing starts from around USD 4,995, usually as a licence purchase; no free trial is indicated in this listing and there is no free version.