G.C. Solutions Uses HeavyBid to Provide Services

Our seasoned estimating staff learned to use HeavyBid while working for the Northeast District of Kiewit Construction. When GCS opened for business, we decided to employ HeavyBid based on our positive experience using HCSS with Kiewit, and the fact that HeavyBid software is extremely "user-friendly." HCSS also has a readily accessible and knowledgeable software support team.

One of the key features of HeavyBid is its ability to seamlessly merge estimates with other clients who use the HCSS system. In addition, we learned that with the wide spectrum of estimate details and reports available in HeavyBid, we can easily compare our partial, second, or joint-venture estimates with those clients not using HCSS.

GCS provides estimates for a variety of clients throughout the U.S., including general contractors, specialty subcontractors, engineers, and owners. It is important for GCS to be able to provide the client with cost information that they can be confident in, is easy to understand, and is in a functional format. It is equally important that we rapidly become a functional part of our clients' team, since most of the time our participation in a project is time dependent with aggressive deadlines.

HeavyBid's flexible format and broad report capabilities have helped us accommodate the various needs of our clients. For example, on large complex projects or design-build work, the estimates can require many changes, or changes that affect multiple activities in the estimate. The HeavyBid system makes incorporating these changes simple. Similarly, providing estimates for engineers and owners (from 30% drawings through 100% bid documents) requires an estimating system that will allow the estimate data to evolve, without the change process becoming too cumbersome. The HCSS system provides us that flexibility.

GCS also prepares cost estimates for construction claims and changes. Most owners require a backup illustrating how the costs were computed. HeavyBid can be used to build the cost elements and generate reports tailored to provide concisely the information that the contractor is willing to provide to meet the specification requirements.

Finally, on the occasions when we have a software question pertaining to HeavyBid, it's reassuring to know help is only a phone call away to the HCSS support group. When you're on the road or working out of a client's office, a timely answer is imperative.