Limitless engagement

Software allows managers to stay connected to the job

Michaeljoe Goldstein bought his first backhoe in 1997 and started MGE Underground in Paso Robles, Calif. He began doing mostly fiber-optic construction work, but when the industry took a downturn, he shifted the business focus to wet and dry utilities and other public works projects.

A young, innovative company, MGE is willing to invest in technology to stay ahead of the competition. With the goal of integrating estimating and field management, Goldstein purchased HeavyBid estimating software from HCSS to start the process.

“With HeavyBid, we have been able to bid more work while maintaining accuracy,” said Goldstein. “We have landed profitable jobs that we would not have bid using our previous method. We recently completed a storm drain job where there were over 100 bid items, complicating what otherwise would have been a fairly simple job. We were able to easily handle the complexity with HeavyBid. Using our old system, we would have added unnecessary contingencies and would not have landed the job. We win more because we can bid more, but more importantly we are confident that the jobs we do win are bid accurately.”

Jason Montgomery is MGE’s estimator. “On some projects we’ll have several dozen subcontractor and material quotes. Many of these will come in on bid day, often in the final hour,” he said. “Say, for instance, we receive itemized quotes from three paving subcontractors. We enter each of their quotes into the system. Then, as we review the bids, we can instantly change the selected sub if needed, with the new prices automatically applying across the estimate.” 

With the estimating system successfully in place, MGE turned to HCSS once again when they purchased HeavyJob for their field management needs. MGE foremen were given laptops to enter their crews’ daily time, production and quantity information, daily diary notes and other jobsite information. That information is then sent back to the office where project managers check where the job stands as of that day’s work. “Before we didn’t know where we were at financially on our projects until weeks later,” said Goldstein. “Now we know the next day and can take corrective action if necessary. The foremen see the numbers daily as well, and are empowered to make better decisions.”

Nick Salvucci, MGE’s superintendent, is overseeing a water/sewer replacement project, which is being completed on the night shift, and is encountering unforeseen conditions almost every night. With HeavyJob, the foreman can easily send photos and detailed notes, highlighting any concerns, to the project manager every morning.

The project manager can then generate a Request for Information and have it to the client almost instantly. “With so many changes, recording and keeping the information organized is critical. Now we usually have an answer from our customer by the next night’s work,” said Salvucci.

The positive effects of the software are being seen throughout the company.

“Using it sped up the payroll process immediately,” said Tiffany Sly, MGE’s payroll and HR manager. “With integration into our accounting software, I no longer have to track down our field guys for time-card information.”

Goldstein pointed out that one of the most impressive things about HeavyJob is that foremen are acting like managers. “They can see day to day where they’re at financially. It’s a huge motivational factor,” he said. “Our incentive program is a bonus pool based on net operating profit. When employees can see daily how their job will be contributing to our year-end results, they stay much more engaged and it becomes a challenge to make the numbers even better. People like to see the results of their efforts, and when they see the dollars on the screen it’s instant feedback as to whether the plan is working or needs adjustment.”

“I love it. I’m much more organized,” said foreman Travis Leopard.

“All of the job information is at my fingertips. I have more detailed and complete daily reports, and I am able to make decisions that will have an impact on the job’s bottom line.”