April Webinar (2025) PreCon Example
The April webinar featured an HCSS customer example of how PreCon and Estimate History are being used. HCSS PreCon is free and well worth trying out to see if it fits into your workflow. Typically I ask people how they keep track of upcoming bids…
HeavyBid Training for New Estimators
I am seeing more requests from my customer base to train new estimators. I have a confession: I don’t like training new estimators who are not at least familiar with HeavyBid. Have new estimators joining the company that are new to HeavyBid? Consider having them…
Must See Q1 Estimating Webinar
So the train is about to leave the station, and you have to make this decision as a HeavyBid user (especially you estimating managers out there). Will you start learning about the direction in which HeavyBid is heading, including PreCon and Estimate History, or will…
Renumber Biditems – Range Biditems
This is a fairly new feature added to Renumber Biditems routine. In “Options” you can for example just multiple by 10 on just a range of biditems. Before this feature whatever the option it would be applied to all biditems. Now you can enter a…
System vs. Local Files
To really understand HeavyBid you have to understand the difference between System Wide Files and Local files. In the video from HCSS Academy (you will have to log into HCSS Academy) it explains this however it refers to the Local data files as what is…
Component Pricing in HeavyBid
When I started showing this feature I was surprised how many contractors can use this, especially ones that quote work to the power and utility companies. I have been in trainings with estimators practically give me a standing ovation when I teach them how to…
HeavyJob Data Review in HeavyBid
Have HeavyJob? Do you have it connected to HeavyBid so the estimator can see production data? I have often connected HeavyJob to HeavyBid at customers’ offices and they are amazed. It is an excellent tool for estimators when they set productions and they can drill…
See Quote Management in PreCon
If you have project managers or other estimators that want to see selected vendors and subs in an estimate can now in PreCon. Eliminates having the estimator printing out reports and saves time, and provides critical information. Here is Help article on the subject LINK…
Risk Analysis in HeavyBid
If you have the Comprehensive System, you have a Monte Carlo risk analysis module (introduced in 2019). It is not for every project, but where it can be beneficial is design-build and any large complex project where production and costs could vary and you want…
Estimate Setup Information Notes
For new users I train I usually setup their Master estimate prior to my arriving at their office. To encourage them to use the note field I put the following notes (see below) in the pre-build master. Many users ignore the Lat/Long fields or Address…
HeavyBid – Basics and Beyond is devoted to everything HCSS HeavyBid and estimating. Updated regularly with helpful insights and tools of the trade, this blog is designed to make your estimating easier and more successful.
