An inquiry is a completed request with documented checks. A phone-qualified lead adds a completed conversation that confirms the stated need, decision role and timing. Neither includes a booked appointment or a sale.
Side-by-side comparison
| — | Project inquiry | Phone-qualified lead |
|---|---|---|
| Project form with qualification fields | Yes | Yes |
| Contact format or line check | Yes, method stated | Yes, method stated |
| Completed conversation | No | Yes |
| Conversation summary | No | Yes, structured |
| Appointment or sale | No | No |
Limits to keep in mind
A line or format check does not prove identity, reachability or intent. A conversation confirms what the person says; it does not verify documents. Roles, budgets and timelines remain declarations unless separate evidence exists.
A lead sold as phone-qualified without a completed conversation does not meet that level. Ask the provider how a “completed” conversation is defined and recorded.
Which level fits your team?
- Choose inquiries when your team calls back quickly and wants volume at a lower unit price.
- Choose phone-qualified leads when your sales time is scarce and you need confirmed context before calling.
- Ask about live transfers only if a staffed team can take calls during agreed hours; they are scoped separately.
A roofing team with two estimators can follow up on 20 requests per week.
If inquiries convert to a conversation less often than phone-qualified leads, compare the cost per completed conversation, not only the unit price.
These figures are illustrative, not observed results.