In some cases, you may have a 'rule of thumb' to
start with-- for example, 'three bucks a square
foot for concrete sidewalk'.
To convert a rule of thumb to a unit price number, follow these steps:
1. First, scroll to
the line in Specifications that matches the item you'd like to change (or choose Add Rows
Here from the Edit menu to make a new line for it).
2. Use the Specs Formulas command to enter the calculation method (labor and materials, sub and materials,
or subcontracted), and the skilled wage rate for the item.
3. In the 'units used' column, type in 1, 10, 100, or some other even quantity. It should give a total
price of at least $100, when multiplied by the rule of thumb cost.
EXAMPLE: To figure the concrete 'rule of thumb', type in 100 square feet. You will now
shoot for unit price numbers that result in a total cost of $200.
4. Type in new person-hour figures for skilled and unskilled labor, and dollar figures for material costs,
until the calculated cost that the MacNail construction estimating
software displays matches with what it should cost. 'Tweak' the
numbers up or down as needed until the MacNail construction management
software calculates the correct cost for you.
5. To remove your 'sample' quantity when you are finished, choose Include in Bid from the Edit
menu if you'd like that item to be routinely included in your projects, or choose Remove from Bid from
the Edit menu if you do not want the item to routinely be included in future bids.
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