Adding New Specifications

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail and BidMagic (our previous estimating programs), and introduced Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users out there, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, job costing and project management features. You can type new 'one time' items into a Goldenseal estimate, by using one of the 'unlisted' choices in the Cost Area column.

Adding a new Construction Item

Almost every construction project will have some one-of-a-kind items that you will want to add to the project 'on the fly'. Every section of the MacNail specifications list includes an 'other' row where you can put them.

For example, let 's add some pink flamingo ceramic facing blocks to our foundation wall. To do so:

1. Click on column A (item) of the 'other' row, and type in 'flamingo blocks'. (The word 'other' will be deleted automatically.)
2. Click on column B (unit size), and type in the unit size (in this case, 'each' will do).
HINT: use the TAB key to jump to the right, when you have finished typing each item.
3. Click on column D, and type in the number of units you will actually use (in this case, 12).
4. Click on column H (personhours/unit--skilled), and type in the number of hours spent on each unit by an 'average' skilled worker. One half hour (.5) should be plenty.
5. Click on column I (personhours/unit--unskilled), and type in the number of hours spent on each unit by an 'average' unskilled worker. One tenth of an hour (.1) should be about right.
6. Click on column J (dollars per unit--materials), and type in the dollar cost for each unit (in this case, $45 each). They are definitely top-grade ceramic flamingo tiles!
7. To install this item with your own crew (possibly because your mason refuses the job), choose *Labor and Materials from the FORMULA menu. The calculated cost will now include this item in the labor and materials columns.
8. If you need to include more than one new item in any section, you can type right over an existing line that you don 't need. You can also insert a new line for it--choose *Add Rows from the EDIT menu.

WARNING: Do not use Insert from the EDIT menu. It can damage the structure of the estimating worksheet. Use the MacNail command, *Add rows, instead.

If you would like to finish specifying before moving to the next step, take a moment now to scroll through the rest of the Specifications list in the MacNail construction estimating software. Enter any items that seem reasonable to you.