Construction Estimator Specifications

NOTE-- We retired the MacNail estimating program in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still a significant number of die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing. In Goldenseal estimates, there is a breakdown list showing line items, similar to the Specifications portion of a MacNail estimate.

Project Estimate Specifications

Estimating worksheets always include a Specifications area. This is a list of potential construction items, grouped into cost categories (or subcategories, if they are being used). The cost of each construction line item is added up in Specifications, and sent along to the Clearinghouse and Summation to be part of the final contract price, as calculated by the MacNail construction estimating software.

When you add, delete or rename cost categories or subcategories, the changes will automatically show up in Specifications.

The actual unit prices stored in Specifications will be updated by the unit price management portions of MacNail Customizing (see pages 98-105).

You can also add or delete line items in Specifications with the Add Rows and Delete Rows commands, which are found in both MacNail Estimating and MacNail Customizing.