Construction Specifications

NOTE-- We retired the complete MacNail construction software package in 2000. and replaced it with Goldenseal-- which handles construction spec writing, plus accounting, construction estimating, and project management, This manual is still online, as a courtesy to die-hard MacNail users! In Goldenseal, you can create spec sheets from Estimates, plus a variety of other sources (allowances, change orders, project phases, leases, etc).

Preparing a Source for Specs

If you plan to include Specifications in a contract, you'll first create a source file, then prepare it so it includes every construction item you want to have in the contract. You'll usually make a contract from an estimate or bid, although you can also use a project list or schedule, or make the contract directly from a Clauses file.

NOTE: If you will not include Specifications in a contract created by the MacNail project management software, skip this entire section.

Creating the Source File

You can create the Specifications portion of a contract from an estimate, a project list, a schedule, a spec sheet, or a clauses file created in the MacNail construction management software.

Using an Estimate

You can make a contract from a MacNail estimate (or an estimate from any program that uses a similar file format). The Specifications section of the contract will be based on the Specifications section of the estimate. Each item that is in the estimate will also show up in a clause in the contract.

When you use an estimate to make a contract, you'll have the option to first make a project list from it (see page 53).
For further information about the creation of an estimate file, check your Estimating manual.