Estimating Glossary

NOTE-- In 2000 we completely replaced MacNail with the newer 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, job costing and contract writing features. There are answers to many Goldenseal questions on our website.

Estimating Glossary M to S

Multifinder: Type of finder that allows more than one application to be open at one time-- so you can use other programs at the same time as the MacNail construction estimating software. Generally only runs well on machine with greater than one megabyte of RAM.

NOTE-- Newer Mac and Windows computers automatically allow multiple software programs to run at the same time.

Overhead: Costs that cannot be assigned directly to any job category (for example, office, vehicles, tools).

Profit: What you get to keep at the end of the job. It is equal to the amount received, minus costs assigned to the job, minus a portion of general office overhead.

Project List: A list of construction items that will be included in a bid.

RAM: The memory in your computer that is used for the system and currently running applications (see also, RAM, Hard Drive).

ROM: The memory hardwired into your computer. It is what makes the Macintosh 'operating system' work.

Row: One line of cells running across the document. See also column.

Select: On a document this means to click on the item. For a menu item, drag to the item so that it is highlighted and then release the mouse button. For a dialog box, do either of the above and then click OK.

Scroll bar: A sliding navigation bar that lets you move different sections of a document into view. A part of some dialog box lists.

Specifications: Details of construction used on a job (for example, tile flooring in the bathroom). You will find them as notes to the blueprint, or on a separate 'spec sheet '.

Specifications list: The section of an estimate that contains detailed construction specification options. This is where you will include certain specifications in the bid.

Specs: see Specifications.

Spreadsheet: We will sometimes use the term spreadsheet interchangeably with 'worksheet'.

Summation: The section of an estimator that shows the final bid price, broken down into the main categories. See it in the lower right window in four window display.