Estimator Line Item Formulas

NOTE-- MacNail was retired in 2000, and replaced with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are many die-hard MacNail users, so we still keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal also includes accounting, job costing, and contract writing features. There are many improvements in the Goldenseal estimating software.

Using Formulas in Specs

Each category in the Specifications portion of the MacNail construction estimating software has an 'on/off switch' that makes it easy to include or exclude many sections of the estimate at once. This 'switch' is a multiplier that leaves the section intact if it is a 1. It removes the section from the bid if it is a 0, and acts as a 'fudge factor' multiplier if it is some other number.

To edit the defined names that turn each section on or off, click in the 'unit size' column of the title row and edit the formula.

You can also edit the formulas that calculate the 'suggested' quantity for each line item, using the defined names from Dimensions. To see the current 'suggested' formula, click in the suggest column of the desired row, and look in the formula bar.

Another use for formulas is to create a 'link', so one item will automatically be included if the other item is in the bid.

For example, to link 'foundation insulation' to a 'concrete foundation' item on line 504, type =IF(D504>0,foundationarea,0) into the suggested column. This formula is equal to foundationarea if there is any concrete foundation, otherwise it is zero.

NOTE: For more information about Excel formulas, see the Microsoft Excel manual.

You can also create material assembly formulas directly on your estimating worksheets. These formulas will work independently of the regular material price updating in the MacNail construction management software (see pages 98-105).