1. Begin by downloading and installing Housing Developer Pro onto your new computer. Note: If the version available on our website is not the same version you have on your old computer, contact us to get the version you’re eligible for.
2. On the old computer, make a copy of your HDP database. This file is called hdp4.mdb and is located in C:\Program Files\HDP4 by default. (Note: this is true for all versions of HDP. Just look for a different version number in the file name: 1, 2, or 3). If you’re not sure where your database is saved, open HDP, click on the Help tab, then click on About HDP. Your database location is listed there.
3. Copy your HDP database from your old computer to your new computer. You can transfer the file using your server, a USB drive, or any other method you’re comfortable with. Replace the hdp4.mdb file in your new computer’s HDP4 folder with the copied hdp4.mdb file from your previous computer.
4. Open HDP to confirm that your data is now accessible from your new computer.

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If you’re looking for help with how to use Housing Developer Pro software for your housing rehabilitation program, you have a few options:

• Use the Help file within HDP: click on the Help tab then click HDP3 Help Contents
• Consult the Getting Started Guide: you may still have this from your free trial of Housing Developer Pro or you may download the Getting Started Guide.
• Post questions, advice, and interact with your industry peers on the HDP Forum.

If you need further help, we do offer online and on-site training on Housing Developer Pro. See FAQ question: What training options are available for Housing Developer Pro?

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Online training is available as a quick and affordable training option. We’ll tailor the session to your needs for your specific housing rehabilitation program and computer-comfort level. Pricing is $165 per hour and we recommend a one-hour session to get you started.

For more information or to schedule an online training for Housing Developer Pro, Submit an HDP Training Request.

We also offer on-site training which is customized to your needs and includes a field visit to apply what you’ve learned. This is typically a two-day training session and is in-depth to give you a well-rounded experience with HDP. On-site training is ideal for groups and those who learn best in-person.

Read more about HDP On-site Training or Submit an HDP Training Request.

In addition, NeighborWorks will occasionally offer a course on Housing Developer Pro at their Training Institutes. This is also a two-day course and other housing-related classes are offered throughout the week.

NeighborWorks Training Institutes are held four times a year. See if an upcoming NTI is being held near you: NeighborWorks Training Institutes.

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In the mean time, the following options are available to you:

• Help file within HDP: click on the Help tab then click HDP3 Help Contents
• Getting Started Guide: you may still have this from your free trial of Housing Developer Pro or you may download the Getting Started Guide.
• HDP Forum: Get help from your HDP peers by posting a question on the HDP Forum.

If you need further help, you can participate in online or on-site training on Housing Developer Pro. See FAQ question: What training options are available for Housing Developer Pro?

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The Spec Cost Update add-on is compatible with Housing Developer Pro 3.5.12 and 3.5.14 (here’s how to check which version you’re running).

HDP4 includes the Spec Cost Update tool as a standard feature. If you’re interested in quickly and easily updating your spec costs, you may want to consider upgrading to HDP4.

HDP looks at every instance of a bid for an individual spec (the bid amount must have been entered into HDP) and calculates an average.

You may review the bid data that goes into the calculation by clicking on the “…” button under the Details column for an individual spec. Each instance of a bid amount is listed; you have the option to uncheck the box for a bid amount to remove it from the calculation and get a new average calculated using only the specs that are left checked.

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New unit costs are calculated from all bids you have in HDP that are at the line-item level of detail. Collecting bids at the line-item level of detail means that you have unit cost data from multiple local contractors for each specification.

For more information, see Why is Bid History used to calculate my new unit costs?

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It’s up to you. The Spec Cost Update add-on gives one HDP-licensed computer access to updating spec costs.

If your agency has multiple licenses of HDP that are networked, you only need one Spec Cost Update add-on because updating unit costs from one computer will update unit costs for all computers connected to the same HDP database.

If you’d like to access the Spec Cost Update add-on from more than one computer, you will need to purchase an add-on for each computer you’d like to access it from.

HDP4 includes the Spec Cost Update tool as a standard feature; it is no longer an add-on. If you’re interested in having an easy way to update your spec costs, you may want to consider upgrading to HDP4.

Just give us a call when you’re at your computer and we’ll license (activate) the Spec Cost Update add-on for you: 717 356-2300, M-F, 8am-5pm EST

Note: The Spec Cost Update tool is included as a standard feature in HDP4 so there's no need to activate it. You can access it by clicking on the Tools tab, then clicking on Update Costs.

All you need to do is make sure you’re currently running Housing Developer Pro version 3.5.12 or HDP 3.5.14 (here’s how to check which version you’re running); the capability for the Spec Cost Update add-on is already within HDP, it just isn’t accessible until you purchase the add-on.

Note: The Spec Cost Update tool is a standard feature in HDP4. Just click on the Tools tab, then click Update Costs.