Estimating Partly Finished Walls

NOTE-- We replaced MacNail with Goldenseal construction estimating software back in 2000. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for their use! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, job costing and project management features. Partial finish work is treated exactly the same in Goldenseal, as in MacNail.

Partial Walls

You may run into attics, basements, or utility rooms with walls that are only partly finished: for example, with framing and sheetrock installed, but with no taped finish, paint or trim.

There are two possible ways to handle partly-finished walls in the MacNail construction estimating software. Both of them will involve some tinkering with the numbers in the Specifications list.

Choice one--add the wall length to Job Dimensions, and subtract items not used.
1. Measure the length of the partly-finished walls, and include them in with partitions and perimeter when you type in job dimensions. Attic walls can be added to any of the other stories.
2. Calculate the area that will not be fully finished.
3. Subtract that area from each item of finish work (wallboard, painting, trim, etc).

Choice two--don't add the wall length to Job Dimensions, then add items to be used.
1. Calculate the length and area of the wall that will get a partial finish.
2. Add the extra length of wall to the suggested numbers in the framing section of Specifications.
3. Also add the extra wall area to the finishes in Specifications--wallboard, paint, insulation, and anything else that will be included.