Estimating Project Financials

NOTE--We retired MacNail in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal project estimating software. There are still quite a few die-hard MacNail users, 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. We use a different approach for financial items in Goldenseal estimates. They aren't treated as project dimensions, but are instead listed as regular line items in the estimate.

Financial Formulas

These formulas are located on the right side of Dimensions in the MacNail construction estimating software. Use the scroll control at the bottom of the screen to get there.

Performance Bond

If you need to provide a performance or completion bond, enter the percentage of the project to be covered by the bid, and the percentage fee that you will be charged.

The total cost for the bond will be shown in the Total Cost cell. It will also show under Other Costs in the Summation.

Finance Charges

To include the cost of construction financing, type in the amount you will need to borrow, the interest rate you will pay, and the number of months you will need the loan.

The total interest you will pay will be shown in the Total Cost cell. It will also be added in the subcategory column of Other Costs in the Summation.