Inflation and Current Pricing – A discussion
Have you been in a bid review where the comment is made that so and so bid item should be priced at no more than lets say for argument sake $110/cy? Here is the question that should be asked. When did this price actually come into effect?…
Naming a Master Estimate – Best Practice
I have found estimators using the “ESTMAST” as their company’s master estimate. True its name is “Blank Master Estimate” but best practice is not to use this estimate for your company’s master estimate. Two reasons. First you might want “blank out” a setup like labor and you…
Library Estimate Limitations with Spreadsheets
I really encourage estimators to use the internal spreadsheet in HeavyBid. This feature has improved over the last four years and can increase an estimator’s productivity and accuracy. A Library estimate is one option where the estimator just copies over to their current estimate particular bid…
Take Control of Your Desktop – Stardock Fences
Most of us (really like all of us) put files on our desktops and it quickly gets out of control as Microsoft does not provide a way to organize your files. Take control of your desktop and get an application called Fences by Stardock. It…
Override Calendar % Issue
There are times that the overtime calculation does not calculate the desired result so there is an option to override the calendar. This works well except when you have specific crafts with different work rules. For example if you create an all overtime calendar like below with…
Master Estimates – How Many Do You Need? Part 2
You need multiple labor setups but multiple master estimates can be difficult to keep synchronized. A better solution is to create one master with the labor, equipment, crews and default settings and then copy in labor rates from a Labor Master for each estimate that…
UGM 2015 Class Notes
I taught three classes at UGM and my notes are detailed enough that you can glean some good information from them even if you were not at UGM this year. If you want the native powerpoint presentation just email me. These notes would be good…
HeavyBid Youtube Help Videos
The staff and I have been working on help videos for HeavyBid. These are quick videos that should help develop new skills in HeavyBid. Eventually this will be linked to directly to the videos when you press Help (F1). Maybe late 2015 but for now…
Checklists in HeavyBid
There is a checklist function in HeavyBid. You can add categories and checklist items inside HeavyBid but it is easier to plan out the checklists in Excel. Click on this LINK (and then upper right of screen click on arrow) to download my starter checklist spreadsheet that you…
Documents for Training
These are three documents that anyone can benefit from but mainly intended for companies that I am going to train. The link is for the following documents. 1. HeavyBid 101 booklet – good reference especially if you just want to go through a simple estimate….
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.
