Estimator Clearinghouse Formulas

NOTE-- MacNail was retired in 2000, and replaced with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are many die-hard MacNail users, so we still keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal also includes accounting, job costing, and contract writing features. It does not have a Clearinghouse, but instead shows subcategory breakdowns via Reports, and on Printed Forms.

Clearinghouse Formulas

The Clearinghouse portion of the MacNail construction estimating software contains formulas that display the cost of each subcategory, as brought in from Specifications. There are also formulas that add up each of the subcategories and create a total for the entire cost category. These formulas are fixed, and should not be edited in an estimator.

To add, delete or rename cost categories or subcategories, click on the row you'd like to change, then choose Add Category, Delete Category or Rename Category from the Format menu (see pages 34-43).

NOTE: These commands will take several seconds, since they have to make major changes in several sections of the estimate.

When you are working on a project estimate, you will sometimes type over the formulas in the Clearinghouse when entering subcontractor bids or firm quotes from material suppliers. For more on the handling of firm quotes in the Clearinghouse, see the MacNail Estimating Manual.