Estimate Line Item Troubleshooting

An estimate line item is not calculating the way I want it to!

Here is a checklist of possible problems in Estimate line items, based on what is in the Cost Area field. This troubleshooting guide works for all versions of Goldenseal estimating software.

Assemblies and Cost Items

First, hit the Update Prices button. That will fill in the latest unit costs. If that doesn't solve the problem, double-click on the Item Total cell to view the Assembly or Cost Item, then check the following:

  1. Check the Project Price field in the Assembly or Cost Item. It should match the estimate, with 2 exceptions listed below.
  2. Does the item use a labor or material multiplier? If so, it will adjust the price, depending on a dimension value. The Unit Cost comes from the Assembly, but the Item Total includes labor or material multipliers.
  3. Does the Assembly include a fixed cost? If so, the actual unit cost will vary, depending on quantity (it will also have a * next to the price).

Bids & Allowances

If a Bid doesn't appear in the list of available bids, check the following:

  1. What's in the Category column? It will only show Bids with that category. Erase it to show all bids.
  2. Did you just add the Bid? In that case, open the Bid and hit the Enter key to save it. Then the Estimate will "see" it.
  3. What is the status of the Bid? If Void or In Use, it won't show up in the list. HINT-- in that case, you can duplicate the Bid and then include the duplicate.
  4. Is the Bid already included in the Estimate? You can't add it twice.
  5. Click the link if still using an early version of Goldenseal estimating software (before 3.0).

The same checklist applies to Allowances.

Purchase Orders & Work Orders

If a Purchase/Work Order doesn't appear in the list of available PO's, check the following:

  1. What's in the Category column? It will only show Purchase/Work Orders with that category. Erase it to show all items.
  2. Did you just add the PO? In that case, open the PO window and hit the Enter key to save it. Then the Estimate will "see" it.
  3. What is the status of the PO? If Void or In Use, it won't show up in the list. HINT-- in that case, you can duplicate the Bid and then include the duplicate.
  4. Does the PO have a Job filled in? Erase it and save the record (Goldenseal won't show PO's that are already assigned to a project).

Percentage Adjustments

Percent of Hard is a percentage of all hard costs (including Assemblies, Cost Items, Bids, Allowances, and unlisted items.

Percent of Total is a percentage of the total cost (including both hard and soft costs).

Percent of Labor is based on all labor line items, plus the labor component of Assemblies.

Percent of Materials/Equipment/Subcontractors/Other are calculated similarly to Percent of Labor.

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