Switching from BidMagic Estimating

I've used BidMagic for years. How do I switch to Goldenseal?

Goldenseal uses the same unit costs as BidMagic construction estimating software, and the dimension layouts are almost identical. Here are the Goldenseal equivalents for BidMagic functions:

BidMagic Basics

BidMagic estimating software uses a separate file for each estimate. In Goldenseal, you'll only have one company file for all your estimates (and other company records). Each Goldenseal Estimate is a single record inside the file.

Instead of separate Estimator files, Goldenseal uses templates to give you an estimate that already includes your normal type of construction.

BidMagic uses a separate Takeoff manager for material price updating and material takeoffs. In Goldenseal estimating software, price updating and calculations are handled by Cost Items and Assemblies. You'll make material takeoffs by creating one of the Bill of Materials reports under Reports--Estimates.

Creating Estimates

Here are the basic steps in a BidMagic estimate, and the equivalents in Goldenseal:

Basic costs

Goldenseal construction estimating software does not use "fudge factors", locality factors or quality factors. You can enter an adjustment in the Adjustment Percent field in estimates with an item breakdown (available in Goldenseal estimating software versions 2.6 and newer).

Enter the net cost of each type of labor into the labor Cost Items.

Overhead and Profit

Enter overhead and profit as line items in an estimate breakdown. You can also include overhead and profit by using a Markup System.

Soft Costs

Enter "soft costs" as line items in an estimate breakdown. You can also cover them by using a Markup System.

Goldenseal automatically computes sales tax on the entire project, or you can include sales tax as a line item in the estimate.

dimensions

To enter project dimensions in a Goldenseal estimate, choose Estimate Dimensions from the Options menu, and choose a set of dimensions from the submenu. You can also click on the Form Type button at the lower left side of the window.

The construction version of Goldenseal uses 7 dimension screens that are very similar to the BidMagic dimension cards.

Specifications

To enter specifications, choose Estimate Dimensions from the Options menu, and choose Specifications from the submenu.

You'll enter each item into a row of the breakdown table in an estimate. To add a new row, click in the bottom row and hit the Return key (Macintosh) or Enter key (Windows).

In Goldenseal you'll put all unit costs into the same place, instead of going through separate cards as in BidMagic. Categories in Goldenseal correspond to the separate Specifications cards in BidMagic, and subcategories correspond to the minor sections on each BidMagic specs card.

The easiest way to enter Specs in Goldenseal is to do the following:

  1. Hit the Return key (Macintosh) or Enter key (Windows) to add a new row.
  2. Click in the Category field, and enter a cost category.
  3. Click in the Subcategory field, and enter a cost subcategory.
  4. Click in the Cost Item field, then click on the small triangle button that appears in the field.
  5. You'll see a short list of assemblies in that subcategory. Choose an item for the estimate.

HINT-- If you aren't sure which subcategory to use, leave that field blank and Goldenseal will show you all items in the entire category. If you aren't sure which category to use, leave that field blank and Goldenseal will show you all assemblies.

Material Takeoffs

To see a material takeoff in Goldenseal, choose Estimates from the Reports menu, and choose Bill of Materials (Material Takeoff) from the submenu. There is also an itemized report that shows materials for each line item of the estimate.

Material Price Updating

To update material prices, choose Material Purchases from the Costs menu, and enter a purchase transaction with an Items breakdown. Goldenseal automatically updates unit costs when you enter purchases.

Reporting

Goldenseal has more reporting options than BidMagic.

To print an estimate for clients, choose Print Forms from the File menu, and enter Estimates into the Transaction popup field. There are several different forms available (each shows a different breakdown).

To see a detailed estimate report, choose Estimates from the Reports menu, and choose Category Breakdown or any of the five following reports. You can also click the Show Report button on the estimate itself.

Click here to return to Beginner topics.

Topics | Previous | Next | Getting Started Manual | Reference Manual | Site Map | Website