Estimating Decks, Garages & Porches

NOTE--We retired MacNail in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users out there, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is a complete small-business software package that also includes accounting, job costing and project management features. You'll enter dimensions for garages, decks and porches into the Exterior Dimensions screen for each Goldenseal Estimate.

Garages

Type in the total floor area of any garage that will be worked on as part of the construction project, whether it is free-standing or attached. Also type in the perimeter (the total length of the garage's outside walls). For an attached garage, do not include walls in contact with the building as a part of the perimeter.

For an attached garage, type in the length of contact with the building. A free-standing garage will have a contact length of 0 (zero).

Decks

We define a deck as any attached structure that doesn't have a roof over it. Type in its area, its perimeter (length of the outside walls), and its length of contact with the main building. If there are several decks, in the total of their areas, perimeters, and contact lengths into the MacNail construction estimating software.

Porches

We define a porch as any structure that has a roof, but no walls. Type in its area, its perimeter (length of the outside walls), and its length of contact with the main building. If there are several porches, type in the total of their areas, perimeters, and contact lengths.