NOTE--
We retired the MacNail and BidMagic estimating programs
in 2000, and replaced them with Goldenseal construction
estimating software. Goldenseal is an integrated program that also
includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing.
We keep these instructions online for our die-hard BidMagic
and MacNail users! Goldenseal has improved methods
for updating unit costs.
If only a few details seem to be off in price, you should
adjust our unit prices until they hit your own actual costs.
Changing unit prices will take more time,
but it will be more accurate in the long run.
NOTE: Because the HyperEstimators are intended only for rough "planning" estimates,
you probably won't need to spend much time adjusting unit prices. We suggest that you only change unit prices
that are way off, and leave "well enough alone" for most items. If you want to create a high-accuracy
database of unit prices, you 'll be much better off in in MacNail construction estimating software instead!
To
change unit costs for any cost category:
1. Click on the Unit Prices button at the bottom of the
window.
2. Click on the appropriate cost category button.
3. Look at the unit prices for the items that you selected on the Specifications card for that cost
category. For example,
if the radio button for "3 tab shingle" was chosen on the Roof Specifications card, you'll look at the
line labelled 3 tab shingle (the first line).
4. If labor costs are off, you'll adjust the number listed under "Labor man-hr per unit" for the appropriate
line. If roofing labor is 20% too low, for example, you may want to replace the 2 (man-hours per 100 square feet of roofing)
with 2.4.
5. If material costs are off, you'll adjust the number listed under "Material $ per unit". If the material
cost is 20% too low, for example, you'll replace the 28 with 33.50.
6. Once you've adjusted each unit price that needs changing, click on the Specifications button to go back to the Specs
card.
7. To make sure the new prices are used the next time you recalculate, be sure to click again on the button that matches
the numbers you changed, or "jiggle" the associated number field by nudging it up, then back down to its original
number.
8. Once you've adjusted any unit prices that need changing, click the Calculate button to see the new calculated price,
and make sure that the calculated price is close to what you expect. If it isn't, go back and adjust the unit prices
until it does hit "on the nose".
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