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….
Equipment Setup – Fuel Usage Component
For contractors setting a price for estimating purposes for equipment is a daunting process at best. With the price of diesel dropping in the last few months consider if you have not done so developing your EOE based on a fuel usage per hour. Then…
Accounting Software – Visual ContrAcct
I am not endorsing this but I did a training in Chicago and the contractor recommended this accounting software. They said the support was excellent which is something of a rarity among accounting software companies. Quickbooks is great for a startup but it has a…
Quote Folder Adjustments and Bid Quantity/Takeoff Quantity Differences
This is an advanced topic but one that estimators doing large at risk estimates should be aware of especially if there are significant bid quantity/takeoff quantity differences. First there is a setting in Tools>Preferences where you can set if bid quantities are desired to come…
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.
