Estimating Dimensions

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail and BidMagic (our earlier estimating computer programs), and replaced them with Goldenseal estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep its manuals available online. Goldenseal also includes accounting, job costing and project management. It uses construction project dimensions that are very similar to the ones in MacNail estimating.

Construction Project Dimensions

Choose *Dimensions in the MacNail menu to go to the Dimensions portion of the estimating worksheet. In multiple window display, click on the zoom box of the upper left window to open Dimensions. This is the section where you will enter the size of the project.

NOTE: If you have imported a MacNail estimate from one of the Hyper*Estimators: all of the project dimensions will already be entered. You will not need to change any of the numbers, unless you catch a mistake or have a design change.

The Dimensions list includes almost 150 different construction dimensions. Some of them are much less important than others.

You should be careful to measure the following items as accurately as possible:
* number of units
* number of stories
* floor areas
* wall lengths
* ceiling heights
* room counts
* window and door counts

Other dimensions are much less critical. Enter a guess if you can't measure the actual quantity off the blueprints.
 Some of the dimensions are calculated for you, based on dimensions that you have entered earlier in the Dimensions list. Calculated dimensions are shown in italic. To see the most recent calculated values, choose Calculate Now from the OPTIONS menu.

In some cases, the calculated dimensions will use assumptions that do not match your project. You can change the calculated values in one of two ways:
* Type in a new value. Click in the cell, and type in the number that you think is more accurate. If the worksheet is protected, first choose Unprotect Document from the OPTIONS menu.
* Edit the formula. In some cases, you can handle specific conditions by editing the formula that calculates the dimensions. For example, the siding area calculated for an addition will not include any siding on the old structure. If you need to add that amount, you can add it in the formula bar. See page 45 for an example, and see page 168 for more on editing formulas.