NOTE-- We retired the BidMagic cost
estimating software program in
2001. It has been replaced by
Goldenseal construction
estimating software,
which offers even more ways to
present bids to your clients.
We still include this BidMagic estimating software
manual as a convenience for users
of our older estimating software.
The BidMagic construction estimating software program is a good client communication tool. You can use it as a 'planning'
estimator, or to help decide what kind of construction choices to make, while still
designing the project. Because of its friendly graphical format, you can even use
BidMagic while the client is watching!
Preparing BidMagic
Before meeting with the client, follow these steps:
Open the BidMagic construction estimating program, and create a separate estimate
file for the project.
Choose Basic Costs from the Navigate menu, then click the Rough Estimate button.
Enter a Locality
Factor and Quality Factor, based on your best guess of the client's budget and expectations.
Also enter your current wage rates.
Go through the Overhead & Profit and Soft Costs cards, and enter costs that
you think will be needed on the project.
On the first Dimensions card, unlock the Approximate Project Cost
button, and enter a ballpark idea of the overall project cost. On the Bottom Line
card, unlock the completion date field. NOTE: Unlocking these items reduces accuracy a bit, but it saves
calculation
time, and prevents minor price changes due to items based on project cost or duration.
Go through
Specifications and enter the types of materials that you think you'll need for the project.
HINT: To
save time, start with a template based on the type of construction most similar to this project.
