RSMeans Data Online Erfahrungen

RS Means Data is helpful and an industry standard

Kommentare: Good experience. Great for quick ball park estimates needed in planning phase.

Vorteile:

The almost limitless options for features of work and different tasks

Nachteile:

Some of the profit margins seem a bit low.

Indispensable tool for estimating

Kommentare: This software has made our estimates way more accurate and competitive.

Vorteile:

Huge range of trades to choose from, updated cost lists by quarter, ease of use.

Nachteile:

The only thing we don't like is that the table doesn't display properly when the browser window is collapsed to half screen.

Not accurate and building types are too limited

Kommentare: I have not found it to be even close at all in cost to qualified bids on individual scopes of work on projects. We are an open shop but even using the union scale datasets, it is sometimes as low as 50% of actual. This makes it almost useless. In addition, the inability to customize building type superstructure elements is also disappointing. I need the ability to individually choose more options in order to make a ROM estimate meaningful and useful.

Vorteile:

I like the design and ability to build estimates and customize

Nachteile:

The quick estimates are predominantly building types and combinations not relevant to the types of buildings we build on the west coast. Not enough ability to combine superstructure elements. Does not include at all the types of apartment buildings we build in the Western US: wood framed structures with steel on the first floor and hardi siding (90% of designs)...also the preloaded concrete structures are off. It seems like building types haven't been updated for about a decade or the Western region is completely overlooked. We don't have the concrete and brick apartment structures out here. Also - the nomenclature of data is hard to find...looking up something simple like "drywall" doesn't appear - so you have to learn the RSMeans nomenclature for everything. Having synonyms for lookup would be helpful.

General Industrial Design Practices

Kommentare: RS means represents the industry standard, at least in our industry, for commercial and industrial construction cost estimating.

Vorteile:

The software provides a logic means to address common construction practice and pricing to generate preliminary construction cost estimates and a consistent format that can be presented to clients in detail or summary formats

Nachteile:

Certain fields appear to be missing logical data, such as industrial piping, or plumbing, that one would expect to be included in the data base. Additionally, the report formats can be difficult. It is often easiest to export directly to excel and then edit everything in Microsoft than to try and customize within RS Means.

Great For Estimators of all Levels

Kommentare: I think RS Means is a valuable tool for various levels of estimating, from the non-experienced estimator to the very qualified estimator. From any level, RS Means can provide a sanity check or baseline of putting together a comprehensive estimate. Used with caution, it is a great tool.

Vorteile:

Easy to navigate and understand. Software contemplates so many different scenarios that it can be easy to obtain the information you are looking for. I really like the factoring for various city indices.

Nachteile:

Provides general information. Need to use the software with caution. Understanding the factors of the various line items is key in developing accurate and reasonable estimates.

RS Means for Cost Estimating

Kommentare: I use RSMeans to do cost estimates for building repairs, retrofits, remodels and equipment replacements.

Vorteile:

The outline style breakdown helps with finding what you are looking for in a timely manner

Nachteile:

The search function is tough to get the wording just right to find what you are looking for

RSMeans Online

Kommentare: Overall it is good data and good software and we have been using it to get reasonable estimates for our jobs.

Vorteile:

The data is updated regularly and is relevant to the local area

Nachteile:

One has to consider the estimate given by the software for reasonableness. Sometimes their numbers are obviously not correct. For the work done most often this is not the case. For some less common work efforts, their data is questionable. The way they name the tasks is sometimes arcane. it seems like people are organizing the data that have not done the work before. Maybe they could use pointers to give something multiple entry points for different ways of saying it. They seem to have "maintenance" relatively often on the weekends, making it hard to use at that time.

RSMeans Data Online Review

Kommentare: Great tool for quick and easy parametric cost data. Recommend another more detailed software for more in-depth estimates.

Vorteile:

Serves as an easy way to research costs online and build quick parametric estimates.

Nachteile:

You need to remember to update your location each time you log on to get the correct locality adjustment factor.

RSMeans is a big asset!

Kommentare: Excellent so far!

Vorteile:

RSMeans has really helped us to focus more on what we do and not try to become professional estimators. I absolutely love the square foot calculator and use it all the time. It’s been a real help to us in adding value to our clients.

Nachteile:

It sometimes can be a little too robust in what it can provide for cost estimating, leaving you searching for the many elements in the library. But it is hard to be frustrated when software has more than you need.

Verify square foot cost model availability before purchase

Kommentare: Free trial for square foot cost model did not include product type we most needed. The sample information provided looked very good. After purchasing the product, and gaining access to the the full product, we were disappointed to discover that our particular product class was not well represented. Working around the problem be creating our own models but full functionality expected in SF cost models is not realized.

Vorteile:

Robust data seems to transfer well between markets.

Nachteile:

Felt like the sale pitch for square foot cost model over promised a bit.

How RS Means Affects The Estimating For Elcan & Associates, Inc

Kommentare: Overall it does the job we need it to do. However, I am not overwhelmed with satisfaction.

Vorteile:

How I can break down my estimates into individual lines items

Nachteile:

The process of changing the city/state locations

RS Means Online Provides Great Localized Cost Predictions

Kommentare: Provides 99% of cost data, to accurately project costs for a construction project. Excellent accuracy, and efficient method to develop project costs.

Vorteile:

Easy to use for determining cost data for the majority of typical construction projects.

Nachteile:

Does not have cost data for some specialized construction activities. This requires alternative contacts with local vendors/contractors to project anticipated costs.

RSMeans Data online user feedback

Kommentare: We use RSMeans Data online in different courses in the construction project management program. It a great online cost data and great tool have it.

Vorteile:

The software has different levels of estimating (square foot estimate at early phase of project during feasibility study, assembly estimate during schematic phase and unit price for detailed estimate). Ease to use, and exporting report to MSExcel.

Nachteile:

It is all in imperial units (inches, feet, square foot etc..). There is no feature in the software to convert imperial unit to metric unit and the user must have an option to either work in imperial unit or metric unit. All construction drawing in Canada are in metric unit. Second, if someone works in imperial unit and generates a report, there must a feature in software to easily convert the result or report to metric unit. Third,there must be a feature in the software that enable the user to integrate the online cost data to AutoCAD, Revit, MSProject, Primavera Project Planner P6, Primavera Risk Management and other construction management software etc...

RS Means Online Evaluation / Comparison with Costworks CD Version

Kommentare: Using the Online version takes more time than the CD version and the lack of ability to tailor the costlist view in the Online version when compared to the CD version is a significant deficiency that I hope can be modified.

Vorteile:

I like the ability to access my estimates from any location with a good internet connection.

Nachteile:

The online version does not permit "tailoring" of the costlist window at the bottom when completing an estimate. In the CD Version, you can hide columns that are not needed without having scroll from right to left in the costlist screen. Additionally, when you enter Notes in the CD version, they are displayed and it's easy to copy notes from one line item to another. The online version is cumbersome when entering notes and after closing the note, you can't see it without opening the note screen again. If the costlist display screen in the Online version can be modified to allow Users to tailor what they see and to display the notes once entered, this will SIGNIFICANTLY improve the User interface.

RS means review

Vorteile:

The ability to search the data base and have the latest up to date data information drove the transition from the books to the online data base.

Nachteile:

great for looking up information but could not make the effort of assembling a project cost online worth the effort. still look up the data and type it into our excel spread sheet.

Good Experience

Vorteile:

Rs means has a good database with a timely update with the latest prices.

Nachteile:

Rs Means is not best with the user friendly

Keep Up to Date

Kommentare: I started using the RSMeans books many years ago as a Facilities Engineer. They were excruciatingly difficult to use; they are expensive and do not update. When the opportunity arose to use RSMeans on-line, I took it. As a Buyer/Engineer for Aerospace I needed up to date information for bid justifications and comparison. As a Consultant doing facilities cost estimating for the Navy, I need the most up to date information I can get. RSMeans on-line provides me with that information.

Vorteile:

The ease of using and the quaterly updates.

Nachteile:

Obvously everthing is not in the data base. So I may have to estimate and get close to use a line item.

Great Resrouce

Kommentare: RSMeans Online has been a great learning tool for both experienced professional on our team as well as entry-level individuals.

Vorteile:

We switched from e-books to RSMeans Online and it has been great! Our team finds it more interactive, easier to find information, and overall a great experience.

Nachteile:

There are so many different packages and customizations which is good on one hand, but also a bit much as some people want more functions while others wouldn't necessarily use them.

RSMeans is a dense, powerful tool for the construction expert

Vorteile:

There is more cost information in the database than I could have imagined. The assemblies look to have some promise, but I have not had the opportunity to use them much.

Nachteile:

The information is overwhelming at first and there is not much in the way of tutorial or basics available at start-up. The information is very specific to technical terminology - typically that found in A&E rather than field knowledge.

Using R S Means On Line

Kommentare: Means Data Online is an estimating tool you can take with you. Where ever you have connectivity, you can generate and estimate. The search feature makes using the online product much easier and quicker that the book style where you have to search through multiple pages to find a particular item - or use the index. With the online data, you can print out your estimate where (with the book data) you have the correct data but what do you do with it?

Vorteile:

The name and cost date compiled by R S Means is known nation (or world) wide as a respected source of cost data. It is easy to use and estimators everywhere can generate a consistent estimates.

Nachteile:

Means needs to increase their intuitional/industrial cost data.

RS Means

Kommentare: I was tasked to gather reliable quotes for new construction and renovations to buildings, wastewater treatment plants and other items based on a provided damage report and memo. I found that RS Means was exceptionally reliable in providing quotes for buildings (i.e. drywall, receptacle, windows, doors, lighting etc.). My main problem and realization with RS Means were that I had to contact manufacturing and distributing companies to gather quotes for the larger more expensive equipment that are housed in wastewater facilities. I can only image that RS Means do not have a major need to have those types of quotes, but it would help to fully round out a great software tool. My overall experience with RS Means was positive regardless of the minor limitation.

Vorteile:

I liked the ease of picking up the software functionality for gathering reasonable quotes for new and renovations to buildings, streets and treatment plants.

Nachteile:

At times I found that the software was lacking in overall speed when loading requested search items. I was able to minimize this issue by refining my search request as best I could but for new users attempting to compare all items of a requested search it will slow down RS Means, and you would have to wait until the system loads the various items. This was mainly an issue when I had over 700 results for a single search.

RSMeans Data Online Review

Kommentare: It helps as a guideline to pricing

Vorteile:

Ability to change cities. productivity shown. set out as one would expect for trade format

Nachteile:

Some pricing is off. Roofing pricing needs better expansion.

Good source for construction data

Vorteile:

The square foot estimator is a very helpful tool. The excel files exported from this service are usable and useful for my underwriting.

Nachteile:

Access to data is compartmentalized (commercial, residential, earthwork, etc.). Our investment fund is not limited to certain RE sectors so we'll review all types of opportunities. Our use of RSMeans is limited to the sector to which we're subscribed. Although we would only use one of the other offerings 2-3 times a year, we don't pay for that service because it doesn't seem like it is worth it.

Worth it

Vorteile:

Large database and still able to enter customized line items that fit our needs.

Nachteile:

Even though the database is large there are lacking items for residential remodeling. Some areas are robust whereas others have very few and require more leg work creating line items.

Good product for online cost estimating

Kommentare: Online cost estimating has allowed me to save estimates, and come back to update them.

Vorteile:

Ability to create estimates based on assemblies, components, or square footage, using up-to-date data

Nachteile:

Lacking "help" functionality (or it's limited or difficult to find).