MacNail Estimating Overview

NOTE--We retired MacNail in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users out there, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is a complete small-business software package that also includes accounting, job costing and project management features.

Estimating Overview

MacNail includes five basic integrated modules:

* Estimating--produces highly detailed bids and estimates. Includes reporting features, and linking to Hyper*Estimator and Hyper*Remodeler. Covered in this manual.
* Accounting--general ledger, material and labor payables, and job cost tracking. Includes built-in payroll. Covered in the MacNail Accounting manual.
* Scheduling--simple 'straight line' schedules with links to critical-path schedulers. Also material take-off lists. Covered in the MacNail Scheduling manual.
* Customizing--automatic updating of material unit prices from supplier price lists. Automatic updating of labor unit prices from job cost records. Also an 'estimator construction kit'. Covered in the MacNail Customizing manual.
* Spec Writer--creates contracts, subcontracts and spec sheets. Covered in the MacNail Spec Writer manual.

Most of MacNail's work takes place in Excel worksheets (see page 56). While you have the worksheets open, you can use all of Excel's data entry tricks such as Fill Down, Copy, and Paste.

MacNail also includes macro sheets (see page 114 and 154). They provide custom menus, transfer information between worksheets, and simplify some of the more complex worksheet tasks.

NOTE: On the Macintosh, the MacNail macro sheets all have the word 'Manager' in their name. On Windows, the macro sheets all have .XLM as a file suffix.