Changing Assemblies

NOTE-- We retired the BidMagic Material Takeoff Software in 2001. It has been replaced by Goldenseal Material Takeoff Software.

We still include this BidMagic estimating software manual as a convenience for users of our older program. Many features are similar, in Goldenseal estimating.

Changing a Construction Assembly

In the BidMagic Material Takeoff Software, each assembly can include up to eight different materials. When you are in the assembly editor, you can change the materials used, their quantities or waste factors.

The picture above shows the Assembly Editor for 2x4 wood studs.

The name of the current assembly is always shown at the top of the window.

The current assembly price is also displayed. It is calculated automatically whenever you change materials, quantities or waste factors.

The current material category shows a material price category from which to add new material items to the assembly.

All the material components of the assembly are displayed in a line-by-line format. Every assembly can have up to eight different material components. For each component, the Assembly Editor lists:
* the name of the material, exactly as it is currently listed in the Material Manager.
* the amount of that material used in this assembly.
* the purchase unit size in which the material is measured, exactly as it is currently listed in the Material Manager.
* the waste percentage for the material , which accounts for trimming loss, mistakes, accidental breakage, and other losses.

In the example above, for every lineal foot of 2x4 wood stud framing, the assembly includes:
* 0.25 2x4-16's, with a waste of 8% (top and bottom plates).
* 0.95 2x4-8s, with a waste of 8% (stud fill).
* 0.2 lbs of common 16d nails, with a waste of 8% (fasteners).