New HCSS customers who are setting up HeavyBid are many times overwhelmed on what to do first. So here is a sequence that I recommend:
  1. Labor, Equipment, Crews – this should get the highest piority. Initially you might for equipment just get the codes and descriptions inputted with a single rate and later work on a more detailed breakdown of equipment.
  2. System-Wide Material Codebook – A good codebook eliminates the time consuming task of creating material on the fly or having to copy activities from other estimates to get the materials. This can be a work in progress. My opinion is don’t try to make the code itself detail out the material but let the description handle that.
  3. Activity Codebook – I always first check with what the accounting department has for cost codes and start there. There are many solutions in HeavyBid to link to an accounting code on the export out to accounting so there is lots of room for flexibility in coding activities. Like material my opinion is to keep the code itself somewhat generic and my preference is just use numbers especially if the Activity Code is going to be the accounting and HeavyJob code.
  4. Internal Spreadsheet – This feature is highly customizable and can really increase your estimating teams accuracy. It is a real time saver if setup properly. Highly recommended.
  5. Biditem Codebook – a neglected feature of HeavyBid but very useful for both public and private work.
Setup for at least the first year is a work in progress. Schedule frequent meetings with all users to discuss ways to improve the setup and other estimator needs. Remember HeavyBid needs to be managed. My company, EWKS, also can assist in the setup process and can also evaluate your current setup. For more information on our services check out my blog and website.  LINK