Quick MacNail Adjustments

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 MacNail users!

You can adjust many price differences very quickly in the Fixed Costs part of the MacNail construction estimating software.

NOTE: To get there, choose *Fixed Costs from the MacNail menu.

If labor costs don't match, type in new wage rates for carpenter, laborer, supervisor, and the skilled specialty trades.

Don't worry if the numbers you use don't exactly match what you actually pay your crews-- just type in whatever numbers make the labor hit "on the nose" for your test projects.

NOTE: Our unit prices are based on theoretical "average" workers, so the wage rates you type in may not match what you actually pay your crews!

You can also adjust all labor costs, across the board, by using the labor fudge factor. This number is a multiplier, so type in 1.05 if you want to add 5% to all labor costs, and type in .95 if you want to subtract 5%.

If material costs don't match, you can use the material fudge factor as a quick adjustment. For a more complete and accurate adjustment to material costs, use MacNail Customizing to figure in your actual material supplier prices.

If subcontractor costs don't match, you can use the subcontractor fudge factor as a quick adjustment. For greater accuracy, however, you may want to adjust the actual unit prices for subcontracted items (see the next section).
If the actual hard construction costs seem correct but the "bottom line" doesn't match your actual costs, you'll want to tinker with overhead, profit, and contingency percentages. You can also use the soft cost items that are itemized in MacNail Dimensions-- including supervision percentages, inflation adjustments, and "other" soft costs.

In general, you can use "whatever works" to make your test estimate hit on the nose, even if you are not 100% sure of the logic you used to get there!

NOTE: Check the MacNail Estimating Manual for a more detailed description of how we have set up each of the soft costs. Of course, if you prefer a different system of itemized soft costs, it is easy to customize MacNail's soft costs so they match your own way of doing things. Give us a call if you need help in adapting them!