Find/Replace an Activity – Video
I did a video showing how to replace an activity already in the estimate with a replacement activity (same or a different one). First let me thank Aaron Allshouse, Estimating Business Solutions Supervisor, with HCSS for giving me the idea when I was presented with…
My 11 Year Anniversary with HCSS
11 Years ago I flew to Houston to interview the HCSS to restart my career as a contract HeavyBid trainer. I previously was a trainer from around 1990 to 2000. So in 2010 HCSS had 100 employees which was astounding to me. And there was…
Add Client Information to the Estimate
If there is one thing I would redesign in HeavyBid it would be the Estimate Information section. Estimators tend to ignore the 2nd and 3rd tabs and at least some of that information could probably fit on the first tab. Information on the client (contact…
Historical moment: First Estimating Open Forum
Two days ago I hosted a small open forum to any estimator that wanted to join. “Historical moment” might be a bit of an over-exaggeration, but there is nothing else out there right now. HCSS has webinars, but nothing where estimators can simply meet and…
Save a Modified Crew Shortcut
When HCSS eliminated the need to go to the “Modify Crew” routine otherwise knows affectionately as the “Cat in the Hat” icon HeavyBid users visited the routine much less frequently. As they did so they either forgot and never noticed the “Copy to a New…
New Tab! In Tree View
This is a Version 2021 feature in HeavyBid that I almost missed. It really does help to read the release notes in the “What’s New” section in HeavyBid. It is the “Crew” tab. It adds a few options especially if you have materials in a…
HCSSAPPS.com – a website you should be visiting
If you are using any HCSS product then you should visit on a regular basis the above-referenced website LINK. It is your one-stop connection to Insights, Credentials, HCSS Academy (instructional videos), HCSS Community, and all your HCSS Web Applications. This is not a site just…
Crisis Looming in Construction
I am in a lot of offices (even with the pandemic). A good estimator will have all the little details of the construction process that insures their estimates are accurate. I remember at one of the first trainings this year sitting at Diamond Coring’s office…
HeavyBid Setup to Date? Quick Test
Here is a quick test to see if you are taking advantage of what is the top major improvement in HeavyBid in the past 10 years. Estimating teams get so busy that they don’t take the time to learn or just don’t update. Here is…
Holding Account-Youtube Video
Holding accounts are handy especially if you are creative on how they are used. In a nutshell it is a bucket of costs that you can direct the spread. A good example would be the costs of setting up and operating a batch plant. A…
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.
