Youtube Video – Coding Crews
My first Youtube video in quite a while. If you have a lot of crews to code here is my opinion on how to code them and the Excel spreadsheet that you can use. Youtube Link Download Spreadsheet Link
HeavyBid Documentation
I get a lot of requests for a HeavyBid Manual, and my reply is there is not one. But two documents, while somewhat dated, are still useful and worth reviewing by any estimator new to HeavyBid. The links are down below: LINK – HeavyBid 101…
A Better Path for Implementation
Most companies that implement HeavyBid go with the model of gathering the data necessary to set up HeavyBid and then just wait until the trainer arrives at the office before even opening up the program. There are more proactive ways that will accelerate the process…
HeavyBid Definitions
This might come in handy for new users. For the most part HeavyBid uses industry-standard terms. This list gives a good definition of, for example, “biditem”. You would be surprised how many people struggle to understand that term. So check out the link below: LINK
The Pipeline Podcast – Worth Listening To
Scott Jennings, a consultant (and HeavyBid trainer), contractor and engineer, has a great podcast that addresses estimating theory, legal issues, and many other construction subjects in short podcasts. In the future, when I am blogging on a subject, I might link to a particular podcast…
Resources in a Crew-Why?
One setting that you want to set in HeavyBid is found in Tools>Preferences>System Preferences?>Setup. It is the option to “Do not prompt for material resources to be added to crews”. This should really be checked as a default setting by HCSS but easy enough to…
Check Estimate in HeavyBid
At least 50% of the existing HeavyBid users that I train do not use (or even know about) the Check Estimate query. Here are some things that this will find for you: Priced biditems that are priced less than total cost Priced biditems that are…
Estimating course on LinkedIn Reviewed
*Written by my son and employee whom I refer to as Minion (William Nix). I found Christopher Randall’s construction courses on LinkedIn. His beginner course is approximately 45 minutes long and broken up into three sections: Learning Construction Estimating, Construction Estimating Takeoff, and Construction Estimating…
Stop Right Now & Setup Your Credentials
This really drives me crazy as an HCSS Trainer. Even before HeavyBid is installed for new HCSS customer estimators should be set up for each estimator. It is that important! It allows estimators to get in the HCSS Academy and start watching videos on HeavyBid….
HeavyBid Settings-Don’t sink the Boat!
Last fall I toured the USS Torsk, a WWII submarine, in the Baltimore Harbor. As I walked through I was aware of all the systems around me. Hundreds of hydraulic valves and electrical junctions. Not knowing the correct setting for system aboard the Torsk could…
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.
