For civil contractors, the bidding process is often a high-stakes environment where a single error or a missed resource can cause project margins to plummet. The challenge is balancing the need for better cost analysis with a detailed estimation solution that allows contractors to manage construction expenses and resources accurately. 

Heavy civil estimating solutions address these hurdles by automating unit-price and lump-sum bidding and offering a standardized estimation process for construction workflows. Among these, The Construction Link Inc. (TCLI) and Heavy Construction Systems Specialists (HCSS) are unique solutions designed for infrastructure projects. While HCSS is an enterprise-level system, TCLI stands as a more specialized solution with greater accessibility. 

However, the existence of these solutions begs the question: which estimation software best fits the needs of your crew? Our TCLI vs HCSS guide answers exactly that by exploring how each solution supports construction firms in securing and managing more profitable work. 

TCLI Vs HCSS: At A Glance

Feature 

TCLI 

HCSS 

Ease Of Use 

Specially designed easy-to-use interface with integrated solutions for bidding, tracking, and payments 

Detailed system with different modules for estimation, project tracking, and reporting, which takes longer to master 

DOT Integration 

Designed by a DOT contractor with seamless two-way data transfer into and out of DOT electronic bidding applications 

Standard DOT integrations with direct imports from state DOT websites 

Error Detection 

Specialized Check Bid feature scans for missing markups and temporary pricing 

Error alerts and detailed review checklists to manage calculation or classification errors 

Ecosystem Depth 

Specialized ecosystem with Field Link and Billing Link for a streamlined bid-to-pay workflow 

Larger ecosystem to manage the heavy construction life cycle from estimation to operations 

Deployment 

Cloud and On-premise deployment options 

Primarily based on the HCSS cloud

Project Tracking 

Field Link connects estimations to actual projects with electronic timesheets 

Offers construction management software to connect field and office workflows 

What is TCLI?

TCLI is a specialized civil estimating and bidding software designed specifically for unit price and lump-sum bidding. Unlike general construction management tools, the platform offers ‘Estimating Link’, a purpose-built tool to handle smarter bidding workflows that can produce professional proposals and project reports. The platform comes with a ‘Bid Sheet’ dashboard, allowing users to add details like project overhead and material cost to generate the best possible bid based on desired profit. 

The software works as an estimator, allowing users to track everything from fuel cost to last-minute changes. It allows contractors to break down projects into specific bid items and further drill down into the underlying resources, such as labor, owned or rental equipment, materials, and subcontractors.

Unique Features Of TCLI 

  • Sub-Item Assistant Feature: This feature offers a specialized tracking system that acts almost like a second set of eyes, allowing contractors to create multiple sub-level items within a project. The assistant allows users to modify, divide, and track different sections of a project with ease
  • Shared License Pool: Unlike competitors that charge for each individual user added, TCLI allows teams to share a pool of licenses, toggling between users as needed. Users can utilize the ‘User Management Link’ to control who has access at any given time 
  • Move Money: The platform allows contractors to move their money around actively, while taking advantage of overruns and underruns. Users can use the software to add or deduct values from their estimate in real time 

TCLI Pros And Cons 

Pros 

Cons 

Intuitive interface allows for immediate project bidding speed

Seamlessly integrates with state DOT electronic bidding systems 

Check Bid feature catches critical errors before submission 

Lacks deeper customization features for bid proposals

Tree view can appear dated, and returning bids to items can be complicated 

What is HCSS?

HCSS is an enterprise-level estimating and bidding solution designed to optimize construction workflows, from bidding to project completion. The platform allows users to execute faster bids by eliminating manual entry and breaking down complex cost statements. It serves as a comprehensive construction management solution by connecting office workflows to field operations. 

The platform is built to handle a construction project from every angle, allowing contractors to track real-time job progress with automated reports and data management dashboards. It helps firms create detailed crew assemblies and multi-phase analysis to allocate the right crew and equipment to each jobsite. 

Unique Features Of HCSS 

  • HeavyBid Estimation Software: The platform offers a HeavyBid feature to track bidding opportunities based on details like historical bidding data. This allows users to generate the most accurate and professional looking proposals faster 
  • HCSS Safety: Users receive alerts on what to submit and when, with notifications on field-specific safety protocols. The platform offers training and certification tracking features that help manage team proficiencies, with toolbox management meetings to discuss daily safety  
  • HeavyJob: This feature gives its users a progress tracker that allows them to view estimator notes and mark out over-budget items to create custom reports for better management 

HCSS Pros And Cons 

Pros 

Cons 

Offers a greater number of features that cover the entire construction workflow 

The platform improves project efficiency by supporting various workflows 

Better platform organization improves overall experience 

Platform lacks customization ability within incidents and inspections 

HCSS Cloud is prone to constant timeouts and reloads 

TCLI Vs HCSS: Key Features Comparison

Ease Of Use

TCLI is built with an intuitive user interface that makes things easier for its users, with immediate implementation being ready to use almost instantly. Users can navigate from a total bid view down to a specific crew's fuel consumption with ease. The connection between the platform’s linked modules allows users to build tasks and populate estimates from the same platform.

On the other hand, HCSS is a more complex and feature-rich platform that offers tools to manage various aspects of the construction pipeline. The sheer width of its functions makes it harder to manage as a solution. The platform is constantly adding new features; thus, users must keep adapting to new workflows.

Winner: TCLI wins with its integrated internal system and instant implementation, as the sheer volume of HCSS features creates a learning curve.

DOT Integration

TCLI allows users to import data directly from the Department of Transport (DOT) bidding applications. This allows contractors to build their bids according to regulations and export them back to the DOT platform in seconds, reducing the risk of manual entry errors. Contractors can use the platform to import state proposal items, as it is expertly designed by a DOT utility contractor for state-specific workflows.

Alternatively, HCSS also supports the importing of bid items from DOT websites, enabling contractors to highlight activities that can be reused, assign crews, and build estimates using standardized data. However, the platform does not support the two-way integration and DOT-specific infrastructure offered by TCLI, such as bid-item synchronization.

Winner: TCLI wins due to its integration with DOT websites, which is two-way and faster for standard utility bids. HCSS, while expertly effective, is more isolated to its native infrastructure.

Error Detection

TCLI features a specialized proprietary tool known as ‘Check Bid’, which serves as an automated safeguard against common bidding mistakes. This feature is designed to perform a proactive scan of the entire estimate, instantly flagging omissions like items that might have zero quantities, missing resource costs, or unallocated markups.

HCSS, on the other hand, manages risk through a multi-layered construction estimate system that is highly comprehensive but requires manual oversight to function properly. It provides automated alerts for potential errors, such as unbalanced bids or locked calculators that have been bypassed.

Winner: TCLI wins with its ‘Check Bid’ feature, which performs automated checks and offers risk mitigation alerts. HCSS’s error detection, while powerful, loses this round due to the manual configuration needs.

Ecosystem Depth

TCLI offers a tightly integrated system of features that is focused on a Bid, Track, and Get Paid workflow. Its ecosystem features three major modules: Estimating Link for bidding and cost estimation, Field Link for project tracking, and Billing Link for professional invoicing. This streamlined chain makes sure that data flows from the estimate directly into field timesheets and then into final billing without the risk of missed or double entry.

HCSS is a more expansive ecosystem that comes with solutions for the entire construction workflow. The platform offers estimating with HeavyBid, field management with HeavyJob, digital safety programs with HCSS Safety, comprehensive fleet management with Equipment360, and real-time equipment tracking with HCSS Telematics. This creates a massive unified system that can be used to manage the entire project from beginning to end.

Winner: HCSS wins with the sheer breadth of its interconnected modules and the comprehensive nature of its platform. TCLI, while offering a unified workflow, falls short on its scale.

Deployment

TCLI offers a highly flexible system that gives users a choice; they can select between two distinct deployment methods: a traditional On-Premises desktop application and TCLI Cloud Link. The cloud version is a private-hosted environment that allows for collaboration and gives multiple users access from anywhere. TCLI manages all updates and backups in the cloud, which removes the IT burden from the contractors.

HCSS offers HCSS Cloud hosting, which comes with enterprise-level data centers that are used to host their suite of applications. It is highly scalable and includes cybersecurity protections like SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliance.

Winner: Tie as both companies offer dedicated cloud and local options. TCLI wins on deployment speed, while HCSS wins on enterprise-level security and scalability.

Project Tracking

TCLI handles project tracking through ‘Field Link’, which focuses on real-time variance and analysis by connecting bids to field workflows. It allows foremen to enter data into digital timesheets that immediately compare costs. The software uses a simple visual system to show whether a specific task is exceeding its budget or falling behind schedule.

HCSS utilizes HeavyJob for field tracking, which gives contractors real-time visibility into project costs with the information they need to bill faster, which then flows into sophisticated dashboards for office-side review. HeavyJob goes beyond simple cost tracking by including production planners that allow managers to forecast future performance based on current trends.

Winner: Tie. While TCLI is superior for its ease of use and instant visual feedback for mid-sized firms, HCSS offers deeper analytical forecasting and project tracking.

TCLI Vs HCSS: Which Offers The Best Pricing Options

TCLI uses a customized subscription pricing model starting at $166/user/month. It does not tier its features; when you buy the software, you get all the advanced calculators, DOT interfaces, and reporting tools included in a bottom-line custom quote without any hoops to jump through. 

HCSS pricing is customized based on project size and requirements. The final price may change based on user count and the specific tools needed. Many of the more advanced features, like quote management, might be limited to a higher, more expensive, personally tailored plan. 

Final Verdict: Which Software Is Best For Your Firm?

Both TCLI and HCSS are good estimation options for the civil construction industry, as they both cater to different operational scales. TCLI stands out as the apparent winner for contractors who are looking for a solution that offers efficiency and simplicity, excelling in its immediate implementation and user-friendly error detection that ensures accuracy. 

HCSS, on the other hand, also has its merits, being a tested and comprehensive enterprise-grade solution with an expansive ecosystem of features and offerings. However, its high complexity comes with a steeper learning curve, which might not suit the needs of users seeking a faster, more streamlined bidding process. 

In the end, choosing between the two solutions comes down to the unique requirements of your estimating teams. If you need a powerful, agile tool that offers a faster ‘Bid-Track-Get Paid' cycle with minimal overhead, TCLI is your best bet. HCSS is considerable if you require an all-encompassing enterprise-level solution for a large-scale organization.