FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Last updated: August 27, 2026
About BatQuest
What is BatQuest?
BatQuest is a small engineering and AI software practice. We build custom websites, set up private “offline” AI that runs on your own documents, and build apps for the trades. We find the real problem and solve it the right way.
Who does BatQuest work with?
Small businesses and individuals. We serve the Southeast US (anchored in Upstate South Carolina) and work remotely with clients elsewhere. If you have a real problem and a constrained budget, that is our lane.
Will you tell me if I don’t need you?
Yes. We will tell you straight when an off-the-shelf product would serve you better than a custom build. Honesty is a differentiator for us, not a cost.
How does a project start?
With a conversation. The “Identify your need” guide asks a few questions about what you are trying to solve, then we respond with a concrete next step. For websites, that next step is a $99 quick business evaluation, credited toward any build.
What does it cost?
Projects start with a $99 quick business evaluation (introductory pricing — $149 regular) or a scoping call, and pricing scales with the scope of the work. Because we shape the work to your needs rather than a canned package, we give you a real number once we understand the problem. We also tell you up front if a cheaper off-the-shelf option fits.
Do you work remotely or only locally?
Both. We are based in Upstate South Carolina and work with clients across the Southeast and beyond — the intake and most of the work happen online. In-person meetings are always an option for clients in the Upstate, but they aren't the default; most engagements run just fine remotely.
Websites
What does the $99 quick business evaluation include?
We assess your website plus your choice of a local competitive benchmark or an online customer-feedback review — search and AI visibility, usability, performance, competitive positioning, and customer sentiment — and hand you a concrete, prioritized, engineer-reviewed report. If you proceed with work, the evaluation fee is credited toward it.
Do you build from scratch or improve the site I already have?
Both. We start with the business evaluation to find out exactly where things stand, then recommend a new build, targeted optimization, or a full redesign — whichever actually fits, not a canned template.
Will my site show up in search and AI answers?
Search and AI visibility is part of the business evaluation and optimization work — we make sure the site is findable and that AI assistants can surface it accurately, not just visually polished.
What integrations do you support?
Online booking and scheduling, payments or a shop, a CRM or lead system, and email marketing — or just a contact form if that’s all you need. We shape the integrations to your workflow.
Why is the evaluation only $99 — what’s the catch?
There isn’t one. $99 is introductory pricing (the regular price is $149), and it’s a paid scoping step rather than a loss leader: it earns the next conversation, it doesn’t obligate you to one. The full fee is credited toward any follow-on work you do with us, so if you proceed with a build, the evaluation is effectively free. We can offer it at that price because it’s focused and engineer-reviewed against a proven checklist, not an open-ended consulting engagement — and because most people who get one end up wanting the work done.
How fast do I get my report, and what if I want changes?
Within 3 business days of your order, engineer-reviewed. It comes with one revision included, so if we missed the mark on emphasis or anything needs clarifying, we’ll adjust it once. After that, you’re free to act on it yourself or have us do the work — either way, the $99 is credited toward any build.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes. If your report doesn’t surface at least three actionable opportunities ranked by leverage for your business, it’s free. You can also cancel for a full refund at any time before we’ve started the work. We take a limited number of evaluations each month so every report gets real engineer review rather than a canned template — and so the guarantee means something.
Offline AI
What does offline AI mean here?
The model runs locally — on your own machine or hardware you control — so your documents never leave your environment. We set it up, tune it to your material, and show you how to keep it current.
Can it answer questions grounded in my own files?
Yes. You can search and summarize across your own files — manuals, proposals, contracts, past jobs, SOPs — and get answers drawn from them with sources you can check, rather than the model’s imagination.
Is it suitable for sensitive or regulated material?
Yes. Because documents stay in your environment, it suits legal, medical, financial, and trade work where putting documents in a public cloud isn’t an option but where AI’s help still is.
Do my documents get used to train AI models?
No. We do not train third-party AI models on your data. Your documents are processed on hardware you control by default.
Excel
Will you tell me honestly if I should keep my spreadsheet?
Yes. Send us what you run and we’ll tell you what it does well, where it’s fragile, and the honest next step — keep it, automate it, or move to something stronger — with no push toward a build you don’t need.
When is it time to move off a spreadsheet?
When it has hit size or row limits, linked too many workbooks, or grown past what a spreadsheet handles well. We can move it to a lightweight tool that holds up while keeping the workflow you already know.
Still have a question?
Tell us what you’re trying to solve and we’ll point you at the right next step — even if that step is an off-the-shelf tool instead of us. Start a project with BatQuest →