Esticom
Esticom is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating software designed to help electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors automate material counting and generate professional project bids quickly and accurately.
HCSS HeavyBid
HeavyBid is a specialized construction estimating software designed to help you build accurate bids, automate complex calculations, and manage high-volume cost data for heavy civil projects.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Esticom | HCSS HeavyBid |
|---|---|---|
| Website | esticom.com | heavybid.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Custom |
| Starting Price | $108/month | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2015 | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Austin, USA | Sugar Land, USA |
Overview
Esticom
Esticom provides a unified platform where you can handle everything from digital takeoffs to final project proposals. Instead of toggling between spreadsheets and paper plans, you can upload digital blueprints and use automated tools to count symbols and measure lengths instantly. This integration ensures your material quantities and labor costs remain synced throughout the bidding process.
You can manage your entire pre-construction workflow in the cloud, allowing your team to collaborate on estimates from the office or the field. The platform specifically targets specialty subcontractors like electrical, low voltage, and mechanical trades who need to produce high-volume, accurate bids to stay competitive. By moving your estimating process to this digital environment, you eliminate manual counting errors and significantly reduce the time spent on every bid.
HCSS HeavyBid
HCSS HeavyBid is a dedicated estimating solution built specifically for the heavy civil, infrastructure, and utility construction industries. You can move away from error-prone spreadsheets and instead use a centralized database to build complex bids for highways, bridges, and pipelines. The platform allows you to analyze quotes from subcontractors and suppliers side-by-side to ensure you always choose the most competitive and complete options for your project.
You can standardize your entire estimating process across your team, ensuring that every estimator uses the same labor rates, equipment costs, and production logic. By integrating directly with DOT bidding systems and accounting software, you eliminate manual data entry and reduce the risk of costly mistakes. Whether you are a small local contractor or a massive national firm, the software scales to handle thousands of line items without slowing down your workflow.
Overview
Esticom Features
- Auto-Count Technology Search for specific symbols across all your project drawings and count them instantly with built-in optical recognition tools.
- Linear Measurements Calculate conduit, piping, and wiring runs quickly by clicking points on your digital plans to get exact lengths.
- Area Takeoffs Measure square footage for flooring, roofing, or wall areas with a few clicks to ensure accurate material orders.
- Integrated Estimating Link your takeoff quantities directly to a built-in cost database to generate detailed labor and material estimates automatically.
- Professional Proposals Convert your completed estimates into branded, professional bid documents that you can send to clients immediately.
- Cloud Collaboration Access your projects from any device with an internet connection so your team stays synced on every revision.
HCSS HeavyBid Features
- DOT Integration. Download bid items directly from state DOT websites and upload your final prices instantly to save hours of manual entry.
- Quote Management. Compare subcontractor and supplier quotes in a side-by-side view to identify the lowest prices and close coverage gaps.
- Centralized Cost Database. Store your labor, equipment, and material rates in one place so your entire team estimates with consistent, up-to-date data.
- Activity Code Libraries. Build bids faster by pulling pre-built activities and assemblies into your estimate instead of starting from scratch every time.
- Flexible Markup Tools. Apply markups by individual item, specific cost type, or across the entire bid to fine-tune your profit margins.
- Work Breakdown Structures. Organize your estimates into logical segments like phases or locations to better understand and manage complex project costs.
Pricing Comparison
Esticom Pricing
- Full digital takeoff tools
- Automated symbol counting
- Integrated estimating module
- Professional bid generator
- Cloud storage for plans
- Standard material database
- Everything in Annual, plus:
- Discounted per-user rates
- Centralized team management
- Shared project access
- Priority technical support
- Custom onboarding options
HCSS HeavyBid Pricing
Pros & Cons
Esticom
Pros
- Auto-count feature saves significant time on large electrical drawings
- Cloud-based access allows for easy remote work and collaboration
- Intuitive interface makes it easy for non-technical users to learn
- Combining takeoff and estimating in one tool reduces data entry
Cons
- Initial setup of custom material databases can be time-consuming
- Occasional lag when loading very large high-resolution plan sets
- Limited advanced features for general contractors compared to specialty trades
HCSS HeavyBid
Pros
- Unmatched capability for handling massive, complex DOT projects
- Excellent side-by-side subcontractor quote comparison tools
- Highly reliable 24/7 technical support from industry experts
- Seamless data flow into HCSS HeavyJob for field tracking
Cons
- Significant learning curve for new or non-technical users
- Initial setup and database building requires substantial time
- Higher price point compared to general-purpose estimating tools