What is an Assembly?

NOTE-- We retired the MacNail estimating program in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still a significant number of die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing. Construction assemblies are also included in the Goldenseal estimating software, in a record format that shows each item, and that is much easier to understand.

MacNail Construction Assemblies

A material assembly is simply a listing of each of the materials that are included in a construction unit price.

EXAMPLES: the material assembly for 2x4 exterior wall construction would include 2x4 studs, 2x4's for top and bottom plates, and fasteners. The material assembly for 'replacement exterior door' might include the door, hinges, deadbolt, lockset, weatherstripping and threshold.

Each material assembly includes the quantity of each material, based on the purchased quantities that you'll need to complete one unit of the construction item.

EXAMPLE: to build one lineal foot of simple 2x4 wall construction (16" on center), you'll need 2/3 of a pre-cut stud, plus four lineal feet of 2x4 for double top and bottom plates. You'll also need a small quantity (perhaps .1 pounds) of standard or air-gun nails.

Each assembly also includes a waste factor for each material, to account for trimming loss, mistakes, accidental breakage, and other losses.

EXAMPLE: for framing materials, you might want to figure about a 10% waste factor.

Unless construction technology changes drastically, you'll be able to use each of your material assemblies for many years to come in the MacNail construction estimating software.

As lumberyard and other supplier prices change, the MacNail construction management software uses the Assemblies file to calculate new material unit prices, so your estimating will remain accurate (see page 104).

The Assemblies file is also used to create a Takeoff Master, which is used by MacNail Scheduling to generate material takeoff lists (see page 122).