BidMagic Estimating Software Manual
The area contains all the text from the BidMagic construction
estimating software manual. Note that BidMagic was retired
in 2002. However, the features of BidMagic
are available in the Goldenseal construction
estimating software program, which does much more than BidMagic.
Many parts of this manual also apply to Goldenseal
estimating software (particularly the
areas explaining
specific construction details).
NOTE-- Try this link for help in switching from
BidMagic, to Goldenseal estimating
software.
Basics
What is BidMagic?
System Requirements
Installing BidMagic
Backing Up
Getting Help
Tech Support
Estimating AT A GLANCE
When to Use BidMagic Construction Estimating Software
Starting an Estimate
Navigating
Entering Data (nudge buttons, popup buttons)
Saving Records
Estimating Overview
Basic Costs (fudge factors, overhead, soft
costs)
Dimensions
Dimensions Directory
Basic Dimensions
Room DImensions
Foundation Dimensions
Roof Dimensions
Structural Dimensions
Other Dimensions
Misc Dimensions
Finish Dimensions
Specifications (entering, changing unit
costs)
Bottom Line
Printing Bids
ESTIMATING FILES
File Management
Saving a Copy
Working with Multiple Bids
Making Backups
Making Archives
Templates (creating, multiple, using)
Navigating
(buttons, keyboard shortcuts)
Estimating Software Interface
Buttons
Cycle Buttons
Popup Buttons
Nudge Buttons (types of, locking, unlocking)
Suggested Formulas
Fields (entering data)
Preferences (additional prefs)
Help
Calculations
Calibrating and Updating Estimating Prices
Why to Calibrate
Figuring Your Actual Costs
Making a Comparison Estimate
Calibrating BidMagic (quality factor, fudge
factors, wage rates, unit costs)
Saving as a Template
Rough Estimates
Finished Bids
Talking Price with Clients (planning estimates, what
ifs)
Keeping Prices Up to Date (materials, unit
costs, spreadsheets, overhead)
Job Costs feedback
Basic Costs
Basic Estimating Costs
Fudge Factors
Locality Factor
Quality Factor
Quality Adjustments (in finished bids)
Net Cost of Labor (burden calculator)
Overhead & Profit (computing)
Overhead (calculating, included
items, basis, adjusting)
Profit
Contingencies
Soft Costs (supervision, sales tax, inflation,
other costs)
ESTIMATING Dimensions
Dimension Basics
Dimensions Directory (project types, project
cost,
lengths, units, room counts)
Basic Dimensions (room counts, floor
area, outside walls, inside walls, party
walls, ceiling height)
Room Dimensions (room type, specs, walls, irregular
rooms, ceiling height, exteriors, framing, trim)
Foundation Dimensions (footings, piers, basements, slabs)
Roofing Dimensions (areas, roof types, complex
roofs, basics, slopes, overhangs, dormers,
gables, calculations)
Structural Dimensions (framing, sheathing, stud
spacing, demolition, subfloor)
Exterior Dimensions (garages, decks,
landscaping, vertical dimensions)
Misc Dimensions (windows,
doors, custom doors, corners, closets)
Finish Dimensions (gross area, adjustments,
gross vs net, net area, painting, insulation)
SPECIFICATIONS
Specification Basics
Specifications Directory
Specs Line Items (adding, deleting, other
items , locking)
Bid Type
Editing Unit Costs (selecting, adding, removing, changing)
Using Suggested Formulas (changing, construction
quantities, construction keypad, entering, adjustors)
Changing Unit Cost order
Customizing Estimating Specifications
Figuring Costs (direct calculation, rule
of thumb, price quotes, subcontractor bids)
Changing Specs Subcategories (moving, renaming)
Specification Cards
Using Estimating Specifications
General Conditions 2
Sitework
Demolition
Excavation
Concrete 2
Masonry
Framing (floors, walls & roofs, decks
& other)
Ironwork
Roofing
Windows
Rough Plumbing
Rough Electrical
HVAC
Exterior Trim
Siding
Insulation
Wall & Ceiling Finishes
Doors
Interior Trim
Cabinetry
Tile & Glass
Special Systems
Special Construction
Plumbing Finish
Electrical Finish
Appliances
Painting
Flooring
Landscaping
Cleanup
Reporting
Price Box
Bottom Line
Soft Costs
Project Schedule
Printing & Exporting
Room Report
Project Info
Exporting
Construction Types
Small Projects (dimensioning, special
costs, unit costs, repairs)
Additions (roof saddle)
Insurance Repairs
Subcontract Work
Commercial Construction
Multi-Unit Construction (mixed units, townhouses,
stacked units)
On Spec Projects
Construction Details
Foundations (stem wall, full basement, partial
basement,
daylight basement, pole foundation, piers, slabs, monolithic
slabs, complex)
Unusual Details (additions)
Small Quantities (additions)
Partly Finished Construction
Knee Walls, Soffits, Half Baths, Cathedral
Ceilings, High Ceilings, Sloped Ceilings, Multiple
Slopes , Cape Cods, Raising a Roof
Linking to MacNail
Why use Both?
The Transfer Manager (System 7, System
6, Using)
Exporting Estimates (to MacNail)
Finishing Estimates
in MacNail
Sharing Unit Prices (importing, options,
moving to MacNail)
Using Category Systems
REFERENCE
Menu Commands (File, Edit, Tool,
Paint, Navigate, Bid, Data, Rooms)
Transfer
Manager Menus
Estimating Dimension Names
Speed Hints
BidMagic 1.5 Supplement
What is BidMagic 1.5?
Installing the Update
Using BidMagic 1.2 Bids
New Menu Commands (Edit)
Navigation Aids
New Formulas
New Preferences
New Features
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