Estimating Wall Lengths & Ceiling Height

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail and replaced it with Goldenseal project estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep its manuals available online. Goldenseal also includes accounting, job costing and project management. There is a Basic Dimensions button on Goldenseal Estimates, where you can enter wall lengths and ceiling heights.

Perimeter

Type the total length (in feet) of outside walls into the Perimeter fields of the MacNail construction estimating software. Measure measuring wall lengths straight through doors and windows. For an addition, include the length of the outside walls only. For gut/rehabs or remodeling projects, include all outside walls that will have some kind of work done to them. In formulas, use upperperim for the sum of the partitions in floors other than the basement and totalperim for the sum of all floors. Use perimB, perim1, perim2 and perim3 for the perimeter of each floor.

Partition

Type the total length (in feet) of inside walls into the Partition fields of the MacNail construction estimating software. Measure straight through doors and any other openings. Include closet walls, walls build under stairways, and knee walls (partial-height walls). In formulas, use partitB, partit1, partit2 and partit3 for the partition lengths on each floor. Upperpartit will give the total partitions for every floor except the basement, and totalpartit will give the total partitions (including the basement).

Ceiling height

Type in the ceiling height for each floor (in feet), measured from the finished floor to the finished ceiling. For cathedral ceilings, see page 184. For ceilings that are partly sloped, ignore the height of the sloped portion and type in the height of the main section. For ceilings that are fully sloped, type in an average between the lowest and the highest point. If some rooms have a dropped ceiling, either enter an average ceiling height, or use the Hyper*Remodeler to treat the project on a room-by-room basis. In formulas, use ceilB, ceil1, ceil2 and ceil3 for the ceiling height of each floor. Use averageceiling for the overall average ceiling height.