Adding Estimating Unit Costs

The BidMagic construction estimating software uses unit prices for all its calculations. Unit prices have proven to be the most accurate and most flexible way to store permanent information about the cost of construction (see page 272).

If you use a construction item that is not already in the BidMagic price book of unit prices, you can add it. Once you do so, it will be a permanent part of your bidding template, and you'll be able to use it for all future estimating.

To add a new unit price:

1. Go to the Specifications card where you'd like to add the new unit price.
2. Click on the pop-up button for any item in the category where you'd like to add the new item. Choose Edit Unit Prices from the bottom of the pop-up menu. This will take you to the Unit Price Editor.
   Project Specifications Page 259
3. To create a completely new unit price item, click the New Item button at lower left. To duplicate an existing unit price and then change it, click the Duplicate button at lower left.
4. Fill in the item name, unit size, skilled hours per unit, unskilled hours per unit, and material price per unit (see page 260). You can also type in a comment if you so desire.
5. BidMagic automatically assigns an item code to each new item. This code is used to identify each unit price when the bid is exported to MacNail, or when prices are imported or exported. To change the item code, hold down the Option key and click on the number.
6. If necessary, create formulas for the Suggested Quantity and Labor and Material Adjustments (see pages 262 to 269).
7. Once you have finished making unit price changes, click Return and Save to save the changes permanently.