NOTE-- In
2000 we replaced MacNail with Goldenseal construction
estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we
keep the manuals online for their use! Goldenseal is
an integrated program that also includes accounting, scheduling and contract
writing features. It's very easy to add new construction items to
Goldenseal!
Adding New Estimate Line Items
Specification line items can be added
to account for unusual conditions that affect the project cost in any MacNail construction estimate.
For example, you may want to add
a line item for a trim detail such as butcher-block countertop. You can also add a
line item for something more intangible such as 'extra parking labor' for downtown jobs--to help
compensate for the one or two carpenter hours that are wasted each week just dealing with
parking spaces.
When you add new construction items to a custom estimator in the MacNail estimating software,
don't
replace the 'other' row!
You will appreciate having that open slot later on. The 'other' row is a good place to enter one-of-a-kind
items when you are creating estimates from your custom estimator.
The fastest way to add a new item is to replace
an existing item that you will rarely use. To do so:
1. Find an item in the proper category that you don't mind losing. For example, we could replace the oak plywood
countertop line in the Countertops subdivision if it is something we never use.
2. Click in column A, and type in a name for the new item ('butcher block'). Type over the words that are
in the cell.
NOTE: If you are warned that the cell is locked, choose Unprotect Document from the OPTIONS menu.
3. Click in column B, and type in the unit size (for example, lin ft). Type over the words that are in the
cell. See page 182 for MacNail's abbreviations.
4. Copy and Paste an appropriate formula for the 'suggested' number of units in column C, or create one
of your own. Usually nearby items will have a formula that you can use.
5. Click in column H, and type in the number of skilled person-hours that will be required to build one unit
of the item (in this case, one lineal foot of butcher block countertop). Type right over the numbers that
are already in the cell.
6. Click in column I, and type in the number of unskilled person-hours that will be required to build one
unit of the item.
7. Click in column J, and type in the dollar cost of materials for one unit of the item. Be sure to include
a waste factor, and also include any incidentals such as hardware and glue. Later on, when you use MacNail
Customizing, you can build up an assembly formula so the item will have its price updated automatically,
whenever supplier prices
change.
8. Click in column K, and type in a new, negative code number that is close to the other code numbers in
that section. You can use decimals to fit it numerically between adjacent ones.
WARNING: Items with bold code numbers are used by the Hyper*Estimators when transferring. Do not replace any
of these items!
9. To include the new item in all future estimates as a default, choose *Include in Bid from the EDIT menu.
To
keep all of the existing items in a category you are customizing, add new rows before you type in your new
items. To do so:
1. Click the mouse where you would like the first new row to appear, and drag down through the number of
rows you would like to add.
2. Choose *Add Rows from the EDIT menu. You can't insert a row at the subcategory headings or at the first item
in each subcategory, since it would cause problems with the 'sum' formulas.
NOTE: Adding rows takes a hefty part of a minute, since over 15,000 cells are re-arranged by Excel!
3. For each new line, type in a new item as in steps 2 to 9 above.
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