Calibrating Estimating Unit Prices

NOTE-- We retired our BidMagic estimating software back in 2001, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. It has a much improved system for maintaining construction unit costs.

We still include this BidMagic estimating software manual as a convenience for users of our older program. Many features are similar, in Goldenseal estimating.

Calibrating Unit Prices

To get the greatest accuracy when calibrating the BidMagic construction estimating software program, adjust the unit prices for each individual line item that seems to be off. This method takes more time, but it is much more reliable and accurate than other methods of calibrating BidMagic.

To change unit prices for any cost category, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Specifications card that includes the construction item you'd like to change.
  2. Click on any of the Pop-up buttons in the item's subcategory, and choose Edit Unit Prices from the bottom of the pop-up menu.
  3. In the list on the left side of the screen, click on the unit price you'd like to change.
  4. If the labor cost is off, enter new numbers into the Skilled Hours and/or Unskilled Hours fields at right. EXAMPLE: If labor costs seem to be 10% too low, then adjust the labor hours figures upward by 10% or so.
  5. If the material cost is off, enter a new number into the Material Price field at right.
  6. If you want to make changes to more than one unit price in the subcategory, click on another item in the list at left, then repeat steps 4 and 5.
  7. Once you've finished, click Save and Return to make the changes permanent.

Sharing Unit Prices with MacNail

If you are using MacNail Customizing to maintain unit prices in MacNail Estimating, you'll be able to share the same Price Book between BidMagic and MacNail.