About BidMagic and HyperEstimator

We introduced HyperEstimator for Macintosh in 1989, and HyperRemodeler in 1990. Both were estimating programs with a unique, extremely graphical interface that was built on Apple's HyperCard program.

The Canadian Construction Association rated HyperEstimator #1 for ease of use, in a software review in 1992.

We retired HyperEstimator and HyperRemodeler in 1993 and replaced them with BidMagic, available for both Macintosh and Windows. BidMagic used a similar interface, handled estimating for all types of projects, and added material takeoffs and material price updating.

We retired BidMagic in 2001 and replaced it with Goldenseal. Goldenseal has an estimating interface that is is similar to BidMagic, but it a stand-alone program that is much easier to customize and maintain.

Goldenseal is an integrated business management program which also includes project management, scheduling, contract writing, job costing and general accounting.

Goldenseal has dimension layouts that are very similar to BidMagic, and it uses the same unit costs and the same basic approach. For more about it, click here.

For the online version of the BidMagic manual, click here.
For the online BidMagic Takeoff manual, click here.
For BidMagic tech support answers, click here.

Links to BidMagic Estimating Software Manual

Basics
What is BidMagic?
System Requirements
Installing BidMagic
Backing Up
Getting Help
Tech Support

Estimating AT A GLANCE
When to Use BidMagic
Starting an Estimate
Navigating
Entering Data (nudge buttons, popup buttons)
Saving Records
Estimating Overview
Basic Costs (fudge factors, overhead, soft costs)
Dimensions
Dimensions Directory
Basic Dimensions
Room DImensions
Foundation Dimensions
Roof Dimensions
Structural Dimensions
Other Dimensions
Misc Dimensions
Finish Dimensions
Specifications (entering, changing unit costs)
Bottom Line
Printing Bids

ESTIMATING FILES
File Management
Saving a Copy
Working with Multiple Bids
Making Backups
Making Archives
Templates (creating, multiple, using)
Navigating (buttons, keyboard shortcuts)

Estimating Software Interface
Buttons
Cycle Buttons
Popup Buttons
Nudge Buttons (types of, locking, unlocking)
Suggested Formulas
Fields (entering data)
Preferences (additional prefs)
Help
Calculations

Calibrating and Updating Estimating Prices
Why to Calibrate
Figuring Your Actual Costs
Making a Comparison Estimate
Calibrating BidMagic (quality factor, fudge factors, wage rates, unit costs)
Saving as a Template
Rough Estimates
Finished Bids
Talking Price with Clients (planning estimates, what ifs)
Keeping Prices Up to Date (materials, unit costs, spreadsheets, overhead)
Job Costs feedback

Basic Costs
Basic Estimating Costs
Fudge Factors
Locality Factor
Quality Factor
Quality Adjustments (in finished bids)
Net Cost of Labor (burden calculator)
Overhead & Profit (computing)
Overhead (calculating, included items, basis, adjusting)
Profit
Contingencies
Soft Costs (supervision, sales tax, inflation, other costs)

ESTIMATING Dimensions
Dimension Basics
Dimensions Directory (project types, project cost, lengths, units, room counts)
Basic Dimensions (room counts, floor area, outside walls, inside walls, party walls, ceiling height)
Room Dimensions (room type, specs, walls, irregular rooms, ceiling height, exteriors, framing, trim)
Foundation Dimensions (footings, piers, basements, slabs)
Roofing Dimensions (areas, roof types, complex roofs, basics, slopes, overhangs, dormers, gables, calcul ations)
Structural Dimensions (framing, sheathing, stud spacing, demolition, subfloor)
Exterior Dimensions (garages, decks, landscaping, vertical dimensions)
Misc Dimensions (windows, doors, custom doors, corners, closets)
Finish Dimensions (gross area, adjustments, gross vs net, net area, painting, insulation)

SPECIFICATIONS
Specification Basics
Specifications Directory
Specs Line Items (adding, deleting, other items , locking)
Bid Type
Editing Unit Costs (selecting, adding, removing, changing)
Using Suggested Formulas (changing, construction quantities, construction keypad, entering, adjustors)
Changing Unit Cost order

Customizing Estimating Specifications
Figuring Costs (direct calculation, rule of thumb, price quotes, subcontractor bids)
Changing Specs Subcategories (moving, renaming)

Specification Cards
Using Estimating Specifications
General Conditions 2
Sitework
Demolition
Excavation
Concrete 2
Masonry
Framing (floors, walls & roofs, decks & other)
Ironwork
Roofing
Windows
Rough Plumbing
Rough Electrical
HVAC
Exterior Trim
Siding
Insulation
Wall & Ceiling Finishes
Doors
Interior Trim
Cabinetry
Tile & Glass
Special Systems
Special Construction
Plumbing Finish
Electrical Finish
Appliances
Painting
Flooring
Landscaping
Cleanup

Reporting
Price Box
Bottom Line
Soft Costs
Project Schedule
Printing & Exporting
Room Report
Project Info
Exporting

Construction Types
Small Projects (dimensioning, special costs, unit costs, repairs)
Additions (roof saddle)
Insurance Repairs
Subcontract Work
Commercial Construction
Multi-Unit Construction (mixed units, townhouses, stacked units)
On Spec Projects

Construction Details
Foundations (stem wall, full basement, partial basement, daylight basement, pole foundation, piers, slabs, monolithic slabs, complex)
Unusual Details (additions)
Small Quantities (additions)
Partly Finished Construction
Knee Walls, Soffits, Half Baths, Cathedral Ceilings, High Ceilings, Sloped Ceilings, Multiple Slopes , Cape Cods, Raising a Roof

Linking to MacNail
Why use Both?
The Transfer Manager (System 7, System 6, Using)
Exporting Estimates (to MacNail)
Finishing Estimates in MacNail
Sharing Unit Prices (importing, options, moving to MacNail)
Using Category Systems

Appendix
Menu Commands (File, Edit, Tool, Paint, Navigate, Bid, Data, Rooms)
Transfer Manager Menus
Estimating Dimension Names
Speed Hints