Changing Cost Categories

NOTE-- MacNail estimating program was retired in 2000, and replaced with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still a few die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is an improved program for small businesses, that also includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing features. It uses Category Systems to group expenses and estimated costs.

Changing Construction Categories

The MacNail construction management software includes an Add Category command that adds new cost categories or subcategories to an estimating file, a Delete Category command that removes cost categories or subcategories, and a Rename Category command that renames them.

Use these three commands to make minor changes to the category system of an existing estimator.

When customizing a MacNail construction estimator, it's always a good idea to work on a copy of the original estimator, so you can go back to the original if you are not happy with the modified version.

HINT: To make a copy of an estimator, choose New Estimator from the File menu, then click on 'From another Estimator'.

Most category changes are reversible. If you add a category, you can delete it, and if you rename a category, you can rename it back to its original form. However, the only way to undo the Delete Category command is to close the worksheet without saving changes-- which will restore the worksheet to the way it was the last time you saved it.

HINT: When customizing a construction estimator, it's a good idea to save the worksheet frequently!

After making changes to the categories and/or subcategories in an estimating worksheet, you should also change the affected category codes in the Price Master, if you are using one (see page 174). You may also need to adjust the Category Code Master so unit prices will end up in the right place when moving them between different cost category systems (see pages 151-152).