Estimating 1-2-3

Here are quick instructions for using Goldenseal construction estimating software to create project estimates in three different sizes.

Simple Estimating

To give a very quick estimate off the top of your head, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Estimates from the Income menu.
  2. Click the New button.
  3. Enter None into the Breakdown popup field on the left side of the window.
  4. Enter a prospect or customer into the Account Type and Account Name fields (optional).
  5. Type in a brief description for the estimate, and a longer scope of work (optional).
  6. Type in the price of the estimate.
  7. If you'd like, click the More Info button to enter additional details for this estimate.
  8. Hit the Enter key to save the estimate.

More Detailed Estimating

To create an estimate that includes more detail, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Estimates from the Income menu.
  2. Click the New button.
  3. Enter Category into the Breakdown popup field on the left side of the window.
  4. Enter a prospect or customer into the Account Type and Account Name fields (optional).
  5. Type in a brief description for the estimate.
  6. Click in the first row of the breakdown table.
  7. Enter the type of cost into the Cost Area column.
  8. Enter a category into the Category column (optional).
  9. Type a brief description of the item into the Item column.
  10. Type the size of the item into the Size column (optional).
  11. Type the number of units into the Quantity column.
  12. Hit the Enter key or Return key to add a new row, then repeat steps 7 to 12 for each item.
  13. If you'd like, click the More Info button to enter additional details for this estimate.
  14. Hit the Enter key to save the estimate.

Very Detailed Estimating (Unit Costs)

Goldenseal includes unit costs, dimensions and estimating templates to make it easier to estimate complex projects.

HINT-- These instructions work on the Sample Company file, and on files created from a Starter file that includes unit costs.

To use unit costs for a large project estimate using a template, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Estimates from the Income menu.
  2. Click the template button (to the right of the New button) and choose a template.
  3. Enter a prospect or customer into the Account Type and Account Name fields (optional).
  4. Type in a brief description for the estimate.
  5. Choose Estimate Dimensions from the Options menu, and choose the first dimensions item. HINT-- if you used a Starter file with no dimensions or if the project won't need them, skip to step 10.
  6. Enter measurements for this project.
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each of the dimension layouts.
  8. Click the Update Quantities button to fill in project quantities.
  9. Check the list of items, and adjust any quantities that are different for this project.
  10. If you'd like, click the More Info button to enter additional details for this estimate.
  11. Hit the Enter key to save the estimate.

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