BidMagic Construction Estimating Software-- Estimating Formula Setup

Entering Estimating Formulas

NOTE-- We retired the BidMagic construction estimating software in 2001. It has been replaced by Goldenseal construction estimating software.

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

The BidMagic construction estimating software lets you create estimating formulas for the unit costs that you include in estimates.

Entering a new Estimating Formula

Once you have entered a new formula, click Check Formula to make sure it was entered correctly. BidMagic will warn you if there are any problems with it. You'll also see the current value calculated by the formula, based on the construction quantities that are already in Dimensions.

Click OK to accept the formula and return to the Unit Price Editor.

If you make a mistake, click Undo Last Action to 'undo' the last item you added to the formula, or click Revert to Original to return to the formula that was being used when you first came into the Formula Editor. You can also click Cancel to return to the Unit Price Editor without making any changes to the formula.

WARNING: After returning to the Unit Prices Editor, the changes you have made to formulas will be saved permanently only if you click Return and Save. If you exit the Unit Prices Editor by clicking Cancel, none of the changes made to unit prices (or to their formulas) will be saved.

Using the Suggested Quantity

Suggested formulas calculate a quantity based on one or more of the construction quantities in Dimensions. They are used to suggest a quantity for line items in Specifications.

After a formula is entered for the Suggested Quantity, the value that is calculated by the formula will be used for that line item whenever it is locked.

EXAMPLE: If you entered a formula of netFloorArea/9 and the current quantity for the Net Floor Area is 900 square feet, then the 'suggested' quantity for that item will be 100 (converted to square yards).

If a line item is unlocked (showing a nudge button), then the 'suggested' quantity will have no effect--instead, you'll enter your own quantity. If you later decide to lock the quantity, the Suggested Formula will be used again.

Line items that have a suggested formula will first appear locked (showing a padlock) when you select them. If you option-click to unlock them, they'll have a grey lockable nudge button.

NOTE: Only gray nudge buttons can be locked. Black-and-white nudge buttons have no 'suggested' value, and can't be turned into a padlock.