BidMagic Material Takeoff Software-- Collecting Material Prices

Getting Material Prices

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 It has been replaced by Goldenseal Material Takeoff Software.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.

Getting Prices 'on the fly'

You'll probably be able to keep tabs on the prices of some construction materials very frequently. For example, if you do your own framing, you probably order 2x4 's and other framing lumber on almost a daily basis.

To get the latest prices for frequently-used items, use billing invoices, delivery tickets, phoned-in price quotes, lumberyard price downloads, or any other source of price information. As you notice significant changes, enter them into the Material Manager.

Getting Prices 'in bulk'

Once or twice a year, you'll probably want to get the latest prices for most or all of your construction material items. The BidMagic Material Takeoff Software makes it easy to do that by providing you with printed 'price request' sheets that you can hand out to your suppliers.

You can make a price request sheet for all material items at once, or you can make one just for selected cost categories and/or selected suppliers.

Usually you'll want to print several different price request sheets to give to different construction suppliers. Each sheet can list just those prices that you usually get from that particular supplier.