Storing Unit Costs in One Estimator

NOTE-- MacNail estimating was retired in 2000, and replaced with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal also includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing features. In Goldenseal, there is a permanent database of construction pricing stored in the Cost Items and Assemblies.

Method 1-- Using One Estimator

When you first start out with The MacNail construction estimating software, you'll probably want to use just one estimator to store your unit prices. This is the most convenient method, since all prices are stored in just one place, all the time.

Adding items to the 'Price Book'

To add items to your 'price book', select a row or rows in Specifications under the cost category where you'd like to add them, then choose Add Rows Here from the Edit menu. Then type in unit price information about the new line item (see pages 49-50).

To remove items from your 'price book', select the row or rows in Specifications for the items you don't need, then choose Delete Rows (to remove the rows entirely) or Clear Rows (to erase the rows) from the Edit menu.

Adjusting Prices in the 'Price Book'

To change labor prices in your 'price book', scroll to the desired Specifications line item, and type new numbers into the skilled or unskilled labor unit price columns (see page 163).

To change material unit prices in the MacNail construction management software, you can type a material cost-per-unit directly into the estimator-- you'll have to calculate that price yourself, and update it by hand whenever material prices change. A better alternative is to create a material assembly formula for the item (see pages 117-120), and update prices from supplier price sheets instead (see pages 98-105).