Feature Set:  

Versatility is fundamental in this first–class program. Goldenseal provides excellent features for construction cost estimating, schedules, contract writing, project management and business management. The program prepares detailed estimates, manages projects, properties and customers.

The construction cost estimating software will allow you to work up bids for residential and light commercial construction projects. Goldenseal’s estimating program has a feature called Smart Dimensions, which makes easy work of setting up building cost estimates. You can figure “whole project” estimates for new construction or do additions and room–by–room estimates for remodeling. You may also set up unit costs and assemblies.

As a plus, you can track competitive bids from subcontractors and your subcontractor insurance expiration dates. Goldenseal offers an option to halt all pay to subcontractors with expired insurance. You may also opt to pay or partially pay subcontractors with expired insurance.

With Goldenseal’s construction management software you can handle allowances, change orders, project logs, punch lists and transmittals. The project management software allows you to create change orders, make material takeoffs, write contracts, punch lists and schedules.

With the business management software, you can organize customers and prospects by their contact information, phone calls, appointments and sales. Use the Print Forms command to print mailing labels, envelopes or other forms for any group of customers or prospects. You can also keep track of company policies, problems, to–do lists and vendors.

Ease of Use:  

Goldenseal, like most estimating programs, is relatively easy to use when setting up your client, vendor, subcontractor and company information. However, the challenge begins (as it does in every other estimating program) when you begin to set up your cost books, cost items, and assemblies. Because these tasks are complex, you would be wise to take full advantage of the wealth of data in the Goldenseal Getting Started manual and the training classes (discussed in Help/Documentation, below).

Goldenseal allows complete customization to match nearly any estimating style. Because of the multi–task nature of Goldenseal, you’ll need to enter lots of information to get set up. Attention to detail while setting up assembly formulas and organizing your cost codes will reward you with long–term smooth sailing; plan on spending some time with this task.

Goldenseal allows you to input and track multiple items concerning clients, vendors, subcontractors, employees, financial accounts and institutions, so once this data is in place you’ll simply need periodic maintenance of the cost book and contacts. This is where you will see the real power and ease of Goldenseal—when you can crank out personalized estimates and reports for your clients and yourself.

Ease of Installation:  

Goldenseal is a large, complex program but we had no trouble with installation.

Help/Documentation:  

Goldenseal contains a context–sensitive help section, but we were unable to access this feature in the demo mode. Turtle Creek offers training classes for clients and prospective users. Goldenseal comes with well–written Getting Started manuals for the estimating and accounting features and a reference manual for the CD. Turtle Creek provides lifetime free support for all of their programs. You can call their support line (607 272–1008) during office hours (M–F, 9 am to 6 pm EST) or send e–mail to support@turtlesoft.com.

Goldenseal is designed primarily for small to medium sized construction companies or subcontractors with an emphasis on small construction jobs. However, what you get out of this powerful program depends on what you put into it. Goldenseal offers so many features and management programs rolled into one versatile powerhouse that—if you are willing to invest the time—it will serve as a tremendous asset to your company.