Adding a New Cost Subcategory

NOTE-- We retired the MacNail estimating program in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still 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 features. It uses category systems to organize cost categories and subcategories for construction estimating.

New Cost Subcategories

To add a new subcategory to a MacNail construction estimate or construction estimator, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Clearinghouse or Specifications.
2. Click the mouse at the spot where you want to add the new subcategory.
NOTE: You'll only be able to add a subcategory if the estimate actually has a Clearinghouse!
3. Choose Add Category from the Format menu, then click New subcategory only at the first dialog.
4. You will be asked for further information about the new subcategory.
5. Enter a subcategory name, the number of blank lines to include in Specifications, the method to use for calculating labor/ materials/subs, and the skilled wage rate to use, then click OK.
6. A new subcategory will automatically be added to the estimating worksheet at the selected location. The subcategory that you previously clicked on will be moved downwards, and the new subcategory will be inserted at the selected location.

WARNING: For MacNail job costing to work correctly when posting to a '2-level' Cost Control worksheet, you may have no more than 99 subcategories under any main category.