HeavyBid Software Review

Categories: Cost Estimating

User Review

TimDyer
5

Company San Diego County Water Authority
Web http://www.sdcwa.org
Experience 37 years
Tools Used HCSS HeavyBid; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Project
Overall User Rating 5
Views 1142
Votes 1

Review Summary

Keeping escalating costs down is a critical component of the San Diego Water Authority's construction work, a job made easier by its extensive use of HCSS HeavyBid estimating software.

"It was important for us to be able to keep on top of the escalating costs that have been occurring since the early 2000s. We use this along with our escalation model to project construction costs out 20 years," said Tim Dyer, cost estimating supervisor at the authority. "The software has allowed us to develop our own specialized activity code books for things like pipeline relining" he adds.

Partly due to the software, the water authority has not "blown a deadline in several years," he said. In addition, the organization has improved accuracy and reduced personnel associated with [construction] cost estimating, said Dyer.

Dyer rated HCSS HeavyBid a perfect 10 out of 10.

Full Review

How long have you been using this tool?: 

Three years.

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?: 

The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency and regional water wholesaler. We do heavy civil works, such as large diameter pipelines, metering stations; pump station; tunnels; dams; pipeline relining projects and water treatment plants.

Where did you obtain it?: 

We purchased it directly from HCSS, the vendor.

How much did you pay?: 

We paid $24,600 for four network licenses and one standalone license. We also purchased all the code books.

How are you using this product?: 

We are using HCSS to produce cost estimates and to check design consultants' estimates used in establishing the Water Authority's Capital Improvement Program.

Why did you pick this product?: 

This is a contractors' software and it was important for us to be able to keep on top of the escalating costs that have been occurring since the early 2000s. We use this along with our escalation model to project construction costs out 20 years. The reports produced by the software were the closest to the spreadsheets we were using before. The software's core goal is to establish productive rates.

Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one?: 

We looked at two other estimating software programs but the cost reports didn't allow us to drill down to crews and equipment levels. HeavyBid starts with establishing labor and equipment rates, then getting quotes for materials and subcontractors, etc. This allows for bottoms-up construction cost estimating.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed? : 

The software has allowed us to develop our own specialized activity code books for things like pipeline relining. Our relining program is nearly $1 billion in value, and, by being able to develop the code books and also creating library estimates, the estimating time has decreased while still being able to produce detailed accurate estimates.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?: 

This estimating software is at the core of the Water Authority's estimating procedures. Along with new estimating guidelines, an escalation model we use is producing accurate estimates. This gives our Board of Directors confidence in our budgeting process and allows them to give direction and approvals for dealing with regional water supply issues.

Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?: 

We have sped up the budgeting process and taken many people out of the process. Accuracy has improved greatly, so the fire drills associated with a blown estimate have been reduced and many hundreds of man-hours deduced as we haven't blown an estimate for several years.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?: 

Heavybid estimating software allows us to save a good estimate as a 'library estimate' that can later be used at the planning level to produce detailed, accurate estimates without a huge effort. The details in the reports allow for more accurate CPMs and let us better understand and better negotiate with our contractors.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?: 

Yes. It has paid for itself many times over.

What would you change about the product if you could?: 

Nothing.

Are there features that you don't use?: 

We don't use the quote system. We are not receiving bid-day quotes, so we have no need to necessarily use this feature. As far as the sub-contract work goes, we prepare a separate estimate in HeavyBid and then use this in the main estimate.

Who would you recommend use this tool?: 

I'd recommend it to heavy civil work contractors, consultants and estimators.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?: 

I'd say at least three years.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?: 

It took two months of practice exercises and study material, as well as two days of beginner training. It is beneficial to attend the annual user group meetings in Houston to learn about features that we don't use frequently and learn about new features.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help?: 

Yes we have. The support is available 24 hours and has always quickly responded and solved our problems.

How would you rate the user documentation? : 

Yes.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?: 

Yes. We have an annual maintenance contract and attend the annual users meeting where updates are rolled out and feedback is obtained from users.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?: 

10

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