HeavyBid vs Methvin

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Our analysts compared HeavyBid vs Methvin based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Estimating Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Developed by HCSS, HeavyBid provides estimating and bidding solutions to help automate daily tasks. Verify material and labor prices to identify estimating errors. Import takeoff data from external programs to produce precise cost estimates. Store files in a secure cloud environment. Enable managers to track project progress via the dashboard.

Managers can create, modify and analyze supplier and subcontractor quotes. Generate estimate recap reports to summarize quotes for better understanding. It integrates with Microsoft Project, Excel, Primavera P6, Word and Outlook, and accounting tools.
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Methvin is a takeoff and estimating software designed to streamline construction project bidding and cost management. It caters to contractors of all sizes, but its comprehensive features and integrated functionalities might particularly benefit medium-sized businesses handling complex projects. Users can extract quantities directly from plans, generate bills of materials, and create detailed cost estimates. Integration with scheduling and resource management modules allows for comprehensive project oversight. Methvin is praised for its ease of use, powerful automation, and ability to handle diverse project types. Compared to similar offerings, Methvin emphasizes visual takeoff tools, comprehensive cost databases, and seamless integration across estimating, scheduling, and resource management. However, user reviews suggest its pricing might be less competitive for smaller firms, with costs typically based on a per-user, annual subscription model.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Fast takeoff creation
  • Cloud-based accessibility
  • Integrates with other tools
  • Affordable pricing
Cons
  • Limited customization
  • Fewer features than competitors
  • Can be slow with large projects
  • Limited reporting options
  • Customer support can be slow
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$3,195/User, Annually
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$27 Monthly
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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • Reduce Estimating Errors: Access bid item, activity and material codebooks to automatically build estimates. Use custom calculation routines to avoid performing repetitive calculations. 
  • Promote Collaboration: Enable multiple estimators to work on the same quote to improve estimating accuracy. Attach photos, audio clips and videos to plans to keep everyone on the same. 
  • Make Data-driven Decisions: Produce preconfigured revenue reports to evaluate the company’s financial performance. Integrate with Tableau and Power BI to analyze key performance indicators. 
  • Generate Professional Proposals: Customize Word- and Excel-based bid proposals in just a few minutes. Add company logo to proposals to increase brand recognition. 
  • Maintain Data Integrity: Integrate with accounting systems like QuickBooks, CMiC and Foundation to generate error-free quotes. 
  • Stay Secure: Store files in ISO 27001, SSAE16/SOC compliant data centers to protect them from hackers. 
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  • Speed Up Takeoffs: Measure areas in both imperial and metric scales with the web-based takeoff tool. Achieve accurate calculations to prepare attractive bids. 
  • Access Work Remotely: Communicate with teams or individual contractors from anywhere, anytime. Stay connected and updated with the progress of the project remotely.
  • Incorporate Multiple Integrations: Export to Excel, create PDFs and much more with multiple third-party integrations.
  • Manage Projects Efficiently: Starting from tendering up to the execution phase, touch all stages of the construction project to stay updated.
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  • Estimation: Copy and reuse past quotes to save time and avoid data entry mistakes. Add activities to estimates in just a few clicks. Assign resource codes to items such as equipment, labor and materials to speed up estimating processes.  
  • Bid Management: Find bid items using the keyword search function. Add desired columns to the bid pricing screen to view detailed information. Mark up estimates by cost types. Export data directly to DOT’s bidding system to eliminate re-entering bid prices. 
  • Quote Management: Create folders for subs and suppliers to help them access data quickly. Perform multiple quote comparisons, update estimates and detect advantageous pricing. View scope differences among quotes and make last-minute changes. 
  • Bi-directional Interface: Export cost and resource schedules to Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. Import modified schedules to the system’s database to merge them with estimates. 
  • Calculations: Calculate quantities, production rates, costs and risk factors using the built-in calculator. Copy calculations to notes and reports to help review bids. 
  • Insights: Compare past and actual estimates to identify errors and reduce risks. Create custom key performance indicators to gain valuable insights. Conduct what-if analyses to make strategic business decisions. 
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  • Audit Trail: Obtain documentary evidence about project progression from audits. Stay updated with the associated costs of events and processes that occurred.
  • Templates: Leverage custom templates to build designs and send measurements seamlessly. Add notes and color areas showing changes and updates.
  • Electrical Estimating: Generate cost estimates and win bids efficiently. Link worksheets to multiple tasks and divide them accordingly to perform accurate pricing.
  • Historical Database: Transform historical construction data into useful information to incorporate in projects. Avoid the pitfalls of construction processes by implementing corrections based on data.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Extract actionable insights from reporting to make improvements to projects. Leverage metrics to plan daily tasks to increase productivity.
  • Project Management: Stay on top of required materials and labor and track project progress. Address areas needing improvement to run projects smoothly.
  • Takeoff: Perform fast and accurate takeoffs remotely. Measure material perimeters and length and count elements. Maintain complete oversight throughout the process.
  • Subcontractor Management: Keep subcontractors updated on changes and project progress. Allow them to access necessary documents.
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Product Ranking

#34

among all
Construction Estimating Software

#40

among all
Construction Estimating Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Bid Management Cost Management Document And Database Management Estimate Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Takeoff Capabilities 84 84 93 97 87 66 95 41 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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User Sentiment Summary

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Excellent User Sentiment 35 reviews
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90%
of users recommend this product

Methvin has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 35 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

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4.4 (17)
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4.6 (18)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated HeavyBid and concluded it deserves the award for the Best Overall Construction Estimating Software available today and earns best-in-class honors for Document and Database Management and Estimate Management.

Analysts' Pick Award
Document and Database Management Award
Estimate Management Award

Methvin stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Comprehensive Estimating: HeavyBid offers a wide range of features that cater to various aspects of construction estimating, including takeoff, pricing, bidding, and reporting. This comprehensive approach allows estimators to manage the entire bidding process within a single platform.
Customization and Flexibility: HeavyBid provides a high degree of customization, enabling users to tailor the software to their specific workflows and requirements. This flexibility ensures that estimators can adapt the software to their unique estimating processes and preferences.
Integration Capabilities: HeavyBid integrates with various other software applications commonly used in the construction industry, such as scheduling, accounting, and project management tools. This integration streamlines data flow and enhances collaboration between different departments within a construction company.
Industry-Specific Focus: HeavyBid is specifically designed for the heavy civil construction industry, with features and functionalities tailored to the unique needs of this sector. This industry-specific focus ensures that estimators have access to tools and resources that are relevant to their projects.
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User-Friendly Interface: Many users appreciate Methvin for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which simplifies the learning curve and accelerates the adoption process for new users.
Flexible Estimating Tools: The estimating suite in Methvin is often praised for its flexibility, allowing users to create detailed and adjustable estimates that can be easily tailored to different project requirements.
Collaborative Features: The platform promotes team collaboration, enabling multiple stakeholders to work on the same estimate simultaneously, which enhances efficiency and reduces errors.
Integration Capabilities: Users favor Methvin’s ability to integrate with other software systems, expanding its functionality and fitting well into existing technology ecosystems.
Responsive Customer Support: Responsive customer service garners positive feedback, as users find the support team helpful and quick to resolve any issues that arise.
Cloud-Based Solution: Being a cloud-based platform, Methvin offers accessibility from various devices and locations, which is crucial for teams that are often on-the-go or working remotely.
Comprehensive Reporting: Methvin’s reporting capabilities are considered robust, enabling users to generate insightful reports that assist with decision-making and project tracking.
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Steep Learning Curve: HeavyBid's extensive features and functionalities can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time investment to master the software effectively.
Customization Challenges: Adapting HeavyBid to specific workflows or unique project requirements can be complex, often demanding advanced knowledge of the software's underlying structure.
Integration Limitations: Integrating HeavyBid with other construction management software or external databases may pose challenges, potentially hindering seamless data exchange and workflow efficiency.
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Limited Integration Capabilities: Users often find Methvin's integration with other systems lacking, making it challenging to achieve a seamless workflow between various construction management tools.
User Interface Complexity: Some users report that Methvin's user interface can be less intuitive and more complicated than similar platforms, leading to a steeper learning curve.
Performance Issues: There are occasional reports about the software's slow performance, especially when handling larger, more complex projects, which can hinder productivity.
Customer Support Concerns: Users have expressed frustrations with customer support, indicating slow response times and lack of effective solutions to technical problems.
Feature Limitations: Some users feel that Methvin is not as feature-rich as competing estimating solutions, lacking advanced functionalities that could streamline the estimating process.
Mobile Experience: Users needing robust on-the-go access have pointed out that Methvin's mobile experience doesn't measure up to its desktop counterpart.
Reporting Inflexibility: The software's reporting tools are sometimes described as inflexible, offering limited customization options for users who need detailed and specific reports.
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HeavyBid is a powerful construction estimating software that has garnered a mixed reputation among users over the past year. While its comprehensive features and ability to handle complex projects are widely appreciated, some users find the software's interface to be outdated and cumbersome. The learning curve associated with HeavyBid is often cited as a drawback, as it requires significant time and effort to master. However, users who invest the time to learn the software find it to be a valuable tool that can streamline the estimating process and improve accuracy. Compared to competitors like Bluebeam Revu and PlanSwift, HeavyBid offers more advanced functionality for detailed cost estimation and bid preparation. Its ability to integrate with other construction management software is also seen as a major advantage. However, HeavyBid's higher price point and steeper learning curve may deter smaller companies or those with simpler estimating needs. Overall, HeavyBid is best suited for large construction firms or those that handle complex projects with a high degree of detail. Its comprehensive features and ability to integrate with other software make it a valuable tool for streamlining the estimating process and improving accuracy. However, smaller companies or those with simpler needs may find the software's complexity and cost to be prohibitive.

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Sifting through user reviews of Methvin paints a picture of a user-friendly, affordable takeoff and estimating software ideal for smaller to medium-sized projects. Customers consistently praise its intuitive interface, cloud-based accessibility, and budget-conscious pricing compared to feature-rich competitors like OnCenter or PlanSwift. However, when complexity ramps up, some users find Methvin's capabilities limited. While its basic shapes and scaling tools handle standard takeoffs well, intricate details or curved walls might require exploring alternatives with advanced 3D modeling features. Collaboration shines as a major strength. Real-time data updates and integrations with project management platforms like Asana streamline communication and ensure everyone's on the same page. This is particularly valuable for geographically dispersed teams, a common scenario in construction. Ultimately, Methvin's value proposition lies in its user-friendliness, affordability, and collaborative features. If your projects prioritize ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and team-based workflows within moderate complexity, Methvin emerges as a strong contender. But for highly specialized needs or extensive 3D modeling, exploring competitors with more robust functionalities might be necessary.

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