Unit Cost Estimates

How do I use Goldenseal for unit cost estimates?

Goldenseal estimating software includes a complete system for unit cost estimating. It will help you to create "smart" estimates that are based on your actual cost of work. Unit costs are often the best way to get an accurate estimate quickly.

Starter Files

Goldenseal includes several starter files which already come with some unit costs. If you use one of them for your company file, you won't need to create so many new unit costs for your business.

Cost Items

Use Cost Items for items that you sell or use in projects. Most Cost Items are materials, but you can also use them for labor costs, equipment and subcontracted work. To add a Cost Item, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Cost Items from the Costs menu.
  2. Click the New button.
  3. Enter details for the item. HINT-- For more about Cost Items in the reference manual, click here.

Assemblies

Use Assemblies for each type of work you do. You can use assemblies for services that you provide, for items that you sell, or for parts of projects that you create.

Assemblies are a way to combine labor, materials and other items into a larger unit. To create an Assembly, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Assemblies from the Costs menu.
  2. Click the New button.
  3. Enter basic details for the item. HINT-- For more about Assemblies in the reference manual, click here.
  4. Click in the first row of the breakdown table, and enter a Cost Item that is included in this assembly. You can include labor, materials, equipment time, tools and other items.
  5. Hit the Return key or Enter key to add a row to the table.
  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5.

HINT-- Before you set up your own assemblies, take a look at some existing Assemblies in the Sample Company File or one of the starter files.

Item Breakdowns

To use unit costs in an estimate, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Estimates from the Income menu.
  2. Click the New button.
  3. Enter Items into the breakdown popup (on the left side of the window).
  4. Click in the first row of the breakdown table, and enter Assembly into the Cost area column.
  5. Click in the Category column, and choose a category. You can click on the small popup button that appears in the field, or type a category name from the keyboard.
  6. Click in the Cost Item column, and choose an assembly.
  7. Click in the Quantity column, and enter the quantity to use.
  8. Hit the Return key or Enter key to add a row to the table.
  9. Repeat steps 5 to 8.

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