New HeavyBid User – Study before Training
I recommend new customers study this portion of the HeavyBid Tutorial before a trainer arrives. Now the new customer does not have to do the tutorial itself (it would also help) but at least the trainer can assume the basics have been covered and can…
Book – “Managing the Profitable Construction Business” by Thomas Schleifer …
I would recommend this book for any growing construction company that is open to learning from mistakes of other contractors. This book address the author’s experience with construction companies in financial trouble and how they got there. It also includes success stories and while not…
Creating a Conformed Estimate
What is “conforming” an estimate? You might not be familiar with the term. A “conformed” estimate is just an estimate copied from the original and modified after the project has been awarded. Here is the workflow model. First you estimate the project. At the conclusion…
Estimating Mistakes Using HeavyBid that I See
I am usually in one or two contractors offices a week. I see some using HeavyBid very well and others not so much. The worst cases are the ones I just hear about because the company doesn’t train their estimators on best practices of HeavyBid. Here…
Checking your HeavyBid Calendars and Work Rules
When I am training a company already using HeavyBid one of the first items that I review are the Calendar and Work Rules Setups. A few basic setup features that should be reviewed are as follows: 1. Make sure all your work rules are setup…
Video- System Wide Files
The number one misunderstanding for HeavyBid users is the difference between System Wide and Local files. It is critical for an estimator to understand how the local and system wide material databases interact. It is not uncommon for me to meet estimators who have used…
Cost Report Plus – Start Using It
I understand the resistance to using the Reports + cost report over the Classic cost report but here are the advantages of this report: It will show all cost types (this is difficult to do in the Classic) New subtotals work (they won’t work on…
View Accounting Budget Import Settings
HeavyBid will export a file that can be imported into most Construction Accounting software programs. In the accounting program settings there is a one time mapping that usually has to be set. HeavyBid will export these settings to make this mapping easier. The map will…
Small Projects Estimate
Sometimes creating an entire estimate for a one bid item project can be complete overkill. This suggestion comes from many years (back in the DOS days) that still is valid today. Consider for small estimates (one bid item) creating an estimate that will contain a…
Options-Quote Folders Must Do
Be sure to activate the option in quote folders to show the additive quantity in the information grid so you don’t have to look at the bottom of the screen to see the quantity. There is plenty of room, so be sure all of your…
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.
