Clauses Data

NOTE-- We retired MacNail back in 2000. and replaced it with Goldenseal-- a complete software package for Macintosh and Windows that handles construction spec writing, plus accounting, construction estimating, and project management, The Goldenseal construction software program uses a simpler text parsing system that is not as complicated to set up, as the MacNail Spec Writer.

Columns in a Contract Clause

Code-- This number 'links' the line with a specific line item in an estimate from the MacNail construction estimating software. It must be a number greater than zero. Click on the column title to run the Sort Special command (see page 151).

Item name-- A brief description of the line item. Click on the column title to run the Show this Clause command (see page 121).

Phrase-- A number from 1 to 7 describing which phrase type will be used. To enter a phrase type, click on the column title, or choose Phrase Type from the Options menu (see page 124).

Who-- The subcontractor or tradesperson doing the work. This name should match up with one of the names in the subcontractor list from the MacNail construction management software. To apply a subcontractor name, click on the column title, or choose Subcontractors from the Options menu (see page 55).

NOTE: To make sure you only use valid names, use the Apply button in the Subcontractors command (see page 127)

Verb-- The action that will be taken with the item. Always enter the present tense, even though the verb will be used in different forms, depending on which phrase type is used. Click on the column title to run the Irregular Verbs command (see page 127).

Noun-- The item that will be worked on. The noun can be a word or a phrase. If QTY is included in the phrase, QTY will be replaced by the number of units used in the project. If QTY is included and the quantity is greater than one, the last word in the phrase will be pluralized. Click on the column title to run the Irregular Nouns command (see page 131).

Details-- A phrase that further describes the item. It can describe the noun or the verb, or it can be placed near the end of the clause (see page 133). Click on the column title to run the New Contract command (see page 18).

Extras-- A code word that will add a longer phrase at or near the end of the clause. To see a list of extras, click on the column title, or choose Clause Extras from the Options menu (see page 135).

Flags-- One-letter codes that determine how allowances are handled in the MacNail project management software, whether costs are shown, etc. Click on the column title to run the Set Flags command (see page 139).