Some of our 3,000+ HeavyBid customers
Solve your estimating and bidding headaches
Bid more projects in less time
Quickly build estimates by selecting scopes of work that include your activities, crews, and more. Copy from a previous estimate or import pay items to move faster on every bid.
Build more accurate bids to protect margins
Use historical data, automated calculations, error alerts, and review tools to eliminate costly errors and increase accuracy.
Adopt a process built to last
Standardize your estimating process with customizable templates and intuitive features, making it easy to teach, adapt, and scale as your business grows.
- Bid management
- Setup and takeoff
- Quote management
- Markup & pricing
- Error detection and risk mitigation
- Proposals
- Project handoff
Bid management
Stay on top of every opportunity by tracking your project pipeline, details, and key contacts in one central place.
Setup and takeoff
Quickly set up estimates, so you can focus on strategy and ensure your bids align with business goals.
Quote management
Consolidate and organize your subcontractor and vendor quotes in one place to streamline decision-making.
Markup & pricing
Estimate costs, unit pricing, and markups based on historical data and productivity based calculations to ensure bids stay competitive and profitable.
Error detection and risk mitigation
Protect your project margins with built-in safeguards and data-driven alerts that catch costly estimating errors before you submit your bid.
Proposals
Quickly produce accurate, professional-looking proposals that meet owner specifications.
Project handoff
Streamline the transition from bid to execution by effortlessly turning estimates into budgets and sending them directly to accounting and project management tools.
The next generation of HeavyBid
Trusted since 1986, HeavyBid now offers a powerful web-based version that helps you bid faster, smarter, and with confidence.
See HeavyBid on the web
We’ve been able to grow the company and add new estimators.
- Ryan Cornwell, Cleary Construction, Inc.
I can contribute a lot of our growth and profitability to HeavyBid.
- Romaine Rotschy, Tapani, Inc.
42
of the ENR top 50 heavy civil contractors use HCSS
60%
more bids submitted by HCSS customers vs. contractors using other software
50,000+
estimators bid faster and smarter with HeavyBid
Seamless accounting integrations
HeavyBid Desktop provides native interfaces to 30+ back-office systems, including Vista, QuickBooks, and Sage 300 (Timberline), to ensure accurate data flow that saves time and reduces errors.
View all integrations
Bid more work in less time with greater accuracy
Step 1
Share your business headaches
After submitting a demo request form, an HCSS expert will follow up with you by the end of the next business day to discuss your business needs and requirements.
Step 2
See HCSS in action
Then, we’ll walk you through a demo tailored to specific HCSS solutions that can help solve your current business problems.
Step 3
Get up and running in days
Finally, you’ll be assigned a dedicated implementation specialist who will manage your implementation from start to finish and ensure project completion.
HeavyBid Resources
Real-world examples of HeavyBid to help you see how estimators and contractors of all business sizes utilize estimating software.
Why Contractors Are Making the Switch from Excel to Estimating Software
Here’s why the shift is happening…and how it’s helping contractors estimate faster and bid smarter.
Read more
Bid More: Solving the Biggest Problems in Estimating
Civil and infrastructure contractors looking to improve their preconstruction & estimating workflows have come to the right place.
Read more
How Rogers Group Cut Estimating Time and Frustration
Overhauling estimating workflows might seem daunting, yet for Rogers Group, implementing HeavyBid and HeavyBid Pre-Construction did the trick.
Read more
Frequently asked questions
What is estimating in construction, and why is it important?
Construction estimating involves evaluating all the costs associated with a project in preparation for the construction phase. This includes direct costs (like materials and labor), indirect costs (such as permits and utilities), overhead expenses, and the contractor’s profit margin. The main goal of construction estimating is to produce a detailed estimate document, which contractors use to bid on projects.
Accurate estimates are crucial because they provide a clear understanding of potential expenses, serving as a reliable guide rather than a precise figure. Moreover, presenting reasonable estimates can significantly improve a contractor’s chances of winning bids. For construction companies, mastering accurate estimating is essential for successful project planning and competitive positioning.
Why use construction estimating software?
Manually creating estimates with paper-based and/or Excel processes can be time-consuming, costly, and at risk for human error. From quickly assembling accurate bids to submitting them according to the owner’s specifications – the time saved on manual tasks alone makes software investment a smart decision.
If maintaining those Excel formulas and references has found you rushing to correct or push out a bid, it may be time to give us a call!
Who uses HeavyBid?
HeavyBid comes in three different levels to fit companies of all sizes, from small contractors typically bidding on projects worth $100,000+ to large contractors bidding on projects in the billions of dollars.
The typical HeavyBid customer is a self-performing contractor focused on civil or infrastructure projects that require crews and heavy equipment.
Can HeavyBid be used for budget estimates?
Absolutely! Those wanting to standardize their construction divisions or job owners and engineering firms needing to make capital budget estimates may also use HeavyBid. Several cities, engineering firms, and public utilities use HeavyBid for that purpose. We also interface with RSMeans and Richardson’s pricing data.
Can I have multiple stakeholders in the estimate at once?
Yes! HeavyBid was built to improve collaboration across all stakeholders involved in the bidding process. Your executives, estimators, accountants and project team — all can collaborate within the software.
For example, we have had joint ventures estimated from multiple companies in multiple locations with as many as 25 estimators working on the same bid at once.
Can the construction estimating software be integrated with other products?
Yes! HeavyBid can integrate with any software that you use throughout the estimating and bidding process, such as bidding, accounting, project management, and takeoff software.
For example, HeavyBid can integrate with project management software such as Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and HeavyJob for optimal collaboration. Also, estimators can instantly send bids to owners’ bidding software, such as AASHTOWare, PennDOT, UDOT, iCX, and Bid Express. Once a bid is won, estimates can instantly be sent to your accounting system to streamline processes. See full list of integrations here.
What is the HeavyBid implementation process?
After purchasing HeavyBid, you’ll be assigned a dedicated project coordinator who will manage your implementation from start to finish and ensure setup completion. This typically takes 1-3 days.
95% of our customers are completely operational within 90 days of beginning implementation. Throughout the process, the HCSS Professional Services team will perform regular check-ins to ensure that your implementation is on track.
Learn more information about what to expect during HeavyBid Desktop implementation
What’s the difference between the desktop and web version of HeavyBid?
Whether you require the advanced analytical power of HeavyBid Desktop or the agile, maintenance-free environment of our web-based HeavyBid, HCSS provides the right tools to protect your margins and win more work.
HeavyBid Desktop provides high-power technical depth with advanced risk-mitigation tools and direct integrations into 30+ accounting and DOT systems for complex operations. Our web-based HeavyBid offers a streamlined, browser-based experience that eliminates IT maintenance while delivering modern features like “Flashback” estimate history and intuitive system-wide libraries. Both platforms use built-in safeguards to ensure bid accuracy, allowing you to choose between maximum operational depth or flexible, modern accessibility.
Not sure which version fits your workflow? Let our experts help you evaluate the best fit for your estimating team.
How does estimating software compare to Excel or manual methods?
Excel and manual estimating rely on individual knowledge and are more prone to errors, version control issues, and inconsistent processes. Estimating software standardizes how estimates are built, making it easier for teams to collaborate and ensure nothing is missed.
With HeavyBid, estimates are built using shared templates, crews, and cost data, with built-in safeguards, alerts, and “what-if” analysis that Excel can’t easily support. The result is faster takeoffs, fewer errors, and more confident bids.
Learn more about why contractors are making the switch from Excel to estimating software.
How do I reduce errors in construction estimates?
Reduce estimating errors by standardizing your estimating process and using software built to catch issues before bids go out. HeavyBid helps teams create consistent estimates using shared templates, crews, and cost structures so nothing is missed or done differently from job to job.
Built-in safeguards and alerts help flag missing items, duplicate costs, or unusual values, while “what-if” analysis lets you quickly test different scenarios and understand risk before submitting a bid.
How much faster can construction estimating software make my bids?
By replacing manual spreadsheets with a standardized process, 90% of HCSS customers have accelerated their bidding cycles and increased the number of competitive bids they submit.
Didn’t get all of your questions answered?
Request infoStandardize your estimating process.
Schedule a demo
Curious if HeavyBid is the right fit for your business?
Chat with us to see the software in action!
Once you fill out the form, we’ll connect with you to answer your questions and help you decide if HCSS is the right software for you. Then, we’ll create a personalized demo tailored to your needs to show how HeavyBid can help solve your most pressing business problems around estimating and bidding.
