HCSS

[PipeEstimator]

I have gone ahead and done the online demo of HCSS. Does anyone have comments on this product (HEAVY BID)? Also would like any input on HEAVY JOB. Thanks.

 

[chadrichards]

I have been using HeavyBid for a year now and really like the program. It is really easy to use and very intuitive. I like the crew building features as well as the ability to break down bid items. I have friends at other construction companies that also use this program and also like it.

 

[PEinc]

I used HCSS several years ago while working for a large heavy-highway contractor but it was with an earlier version of HCSS. It was excellent then, probably much better and more powerful now.

However, for some contractors, HCSS is much more than is needed. I don't know what type of pipe estimating you do, but there may be a different program that is more suited to pipe work and your method of estimating. One of my former co-workers at the heavy-highway contractor is now working for a large mechanical contractor. He has extensive experience with HCSS. However, when he was tasked with upgreading the mechanical contractor's spreadsheet-based estimation system, he researched and tried several different estimating programs and decided that another less comprehensive program than HCSS was better suited to the mechanical estimating they do. He chose another system that was more based on an extensive library of inputed materials and unit price production costs as opposed to HCSS' crew based method. HCSS is great but MAY be too much for estimating mechanical work. What system(s) do your competitors use?

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com