User:Jacobs29/RS means

RSMeans is a construction estimation database that is used by professional estimators for up to date labor, materials and overhead costs for specific project types and locations. The RSMeans data is an estimation source which helps calculate the costs of construction prior to beginning construction. The database is used for a wide variety of construction types and can estimate based on overall materials, square footage and location. It can be used at almost any stage of cost planning but will become more accurate as the project progresses. RSMeans is the most commonly used estimation reference system and has become critical for the performance of Cost engineering. Reed Construction Data, which publishes RSMeans, was founded in 1975.

Cost Estimation
The act of cost estimation is critical for any construction project. The earlier the estimation is done, the less accurate it becomes. There are 5 different levels of estimation, each level is more accurate than the last. From least to most accurate the levels are: Order of Magnitude, Conceptual Design, Design Development, Bid Phase. Prior to the bid phase a fair cost estimate is usually given by the engineer or architect so that the owner will know what bids should approximately come in as. While a contractor is compiling their bid, during the Bid Phase, the estimator utilizes a technique called Quantity Takeoff, the process of counting the number of each material required through the drawings. Cost management describes some of the details of Quantity takeoff including the elements that go into the cost of each item. After the quantities are determined the estimator, or project manager, will consult their RS means resources to determine cost. RSMeans has costs associated with every unit of material. The book or online resource factors labor, shipping and material costs into the unit price for the estimator to help with Project management.

Square foot estimation
One section of the RSMeans covers square footage costs by building type. That section is typically used in the early stages of design for a building, the Order of magnitude estimation stage. The RSMeans estimates typical costs per square foot of building for most building types. Since square foot cost is generally dependent on the total building size the RSMeans square foot estimation could be inaccurate. The RSMeans has a graph which relates the average total building size to square footage costs. If a planned building has the same square footage as the RSMeans average then the square footage costs are equal to the that of the RSMeans. If the building square footage differs from the average then the cost per square foot will be either high or low and the RSMeans graph will help determine the actual estimated cost.

Location estimation
As may be expected, construction costs are dependent on the project location as well as the size. The RSMeans data factors in location with a simple 'location factor', this factor is used as a coefficient to the estimated cost. In large cities or remote areas such as new york city or Hawaii the factor is greater than unity whereas in places like Champaign, Illinois, that factor may be less than unity. A factor of less than unity indicates that construction is cheaper in the area than the national average. Many sources base their data off of RSMeans such as the "all construction directory" and since the information is based in RSMeans it is location specific.