Estimating Suggestions

You should treat the MacNail construction estimating software like any other sophisticated tool. Play around with it on a couple of old jobs before you try a real estimate--just like you'd use that new router on scrap lumber before tackling a set of cabinets.

Practicing on an old job has two benefits:
* You won't lose money if you make a mistake.
* You'll get an idea of how well MacNail's unit prices compare to your own costs. You will then know how to set the Fudge factors (see page 65) to compensate, when you run a bid.

NOTE: Don't worry about counting every last nail in your bid, and don't worry about skipping a few items that cost less than 1% of the bid. We've found that we often forget some small things--and yet our jobs nearly always hit close to the mark anyhow. Most of our unit prices are slightly high for just this reason! The contingency percentage will also help compensate for small omissions.