Types of Estimating Worksheets

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail and BidMagic (our earlier estimating programs), and replaced them with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, for whom we keep the manuals online. Goldenseal also includes accounting, job costing and project management. Goldenseal stores all business information in one file, with each estimate stored as a database record. Estimating templates work the same as MacNail estimators.

Estimating Worksheets

You will work with two different types of estimating worksheets in the MacNail construction estimating software:

* ESTIMATORS--These will be used as blank forms to create new estimates. If you change an estimator, you will change the look of all estimates made from it, from then on. All estimators are stored in the Estimating blanks folder. They all have 'estimator' as a part of their file name. (In Windows, file suffix .ESR)

* ESTIMATES--You create an estimate from an estimator, for 'one time' use for each project. Changes made in an estimate won't affect future estimates--unless you transfer the changes to an estimator by using MacNail Customizing. Estimates are stored in the Current estimates folder. All estimates have 'estimate' as a part of their file name. (In Windows, file suffix .EST)