HeavyBid

From previous jobs to a priced bid

HeavyBid is the estimating product from HCSS, a construction software company that has been developing tools since 1986. Estimators work from the records of earlier jobs to produce a detailed cost figure, then convert it into a bid. The product is aimed at heavy civil and infrastructure contractors, and HCSS says more than 50,000 estimators use it. The company also says 48 of the ENR list's 50 largest heavy civil contractors are customers.

Comparing subcontractor and supplier quotes

Quotes from subcontractors and suppliers can be compared side by side, so the contractor sees every offer next to the others before a bid goes out. The company says the bidding tools remove manual entry and organize complex costs, which simplifies the submission process. HCSS reports that customers using its bidding tools submitted 60 percent more bids than contractors using other software.

Self-perform or subcontract

The product includes a self-perform analysis that compares doing a piece of work in-house with subcontracting it. Contractors can use it to decide how each part of a job should be delivered before committing to a price. The company describes this as part of a wider bidding workflow that carries bids from backlog into execution.

Where HeavyBid sits in HCSS

HCSS offers software for every phase of a construction project, from estimating and bidding through project management, operations, fleet maintenance, and data and reporting. The company says its project tools help keep jobs within budget, with 95 percent of HeavyJob projects closing within budget, and that its Equipment360 fleet tools cut breakdowns for users. Its reporting runs on Microsoft Power BI and includes more than 80 standard reports. HCSS says it works with more than 4,000 construction companies in North America.

Training and support for estimators

HCSS offers classroom training, online learning and user group meetings, along with implementation help and ongoing consultation. The company says its support is always staffed by people, and that customers can reach a support agent quickly without navigating automated menus.