How Many Category Systems?

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. It also uses category systems to organize estimates and job costing.

Estimating Category Systems

Your life will be simplest if you like one or both of our 'stock' cost category systems, and don't need to come up with your own category system at all. If that is the case, the MacNail construction management software will work for you completely automatically, and there is no need for you to read the remaining cost category code instructions!

The next simplest choice is to use your own system of cost categories, standardizing your business onto just that one system. In that case, you'll probably only use the Code Systems command once-- when you convert our existing files to your new format.

If you must use more than one cost category system in your business, then you may need to use the Code Systems command more frequently as you share the same information between different files using different category systems.