A practical, hands-on guide to real-world construction estimating How to Estimate with RSMeans Data is the only instructional book on construction cost estimating that uses the most popular source of construction cost data, RS Means. This updated fifth edition includes new coverage on the role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the estimating process, and over 300 sample problems and exercises that show you how to apply cost data to your building project based on the RS Means 2015 Building Construction Cost Data. The companion website provides access to RS Means CostWorks data, allowing you to use real-world numbers in your practice estimates, and the included Instructor's Manual provides step-by-step solutions to problems in the book. Focused on the practical aspects of estimating, this book emphasizes the application of estimating techniques—which are transferable to any estimating software—through problem solving and the ground-up creation of complete construction project estimates.
Estimating skills are fundamental to the construction industry, and are applied by all parties at all levels throughout the industry. This book is a hands-on guide to the techniques and tools used to create a thorough estimate, with plenty of opportunities for practice.
- Apply cost data to all aspects of the building project
- Practice your skills on over 300 sample problems
- Construct a complete estimate using RSMeans
Besides being an essential construction skill, learning estimating helps you become familiar with reading and understanding construction blueprints and how construction assemblies are built. Mastery of these vital skills is important to your future career, and How to Estimate with RSMeans Data is your ideal guide to a solid foundation.
Table of Contents:
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xiii
Chapter 1: Basic Calculations 1
RSMeans Cost Data Format 1
Productivity and Activity Duration 7
Equipment Costs 10
City Cost Indexes and Location Factors 11
Chapter 2: Spreadsheet Types 15
Manual Spreadsheets 15
Electronic Spreadsheets 17
Using RSMeans Online Estimating 19
Square Foot Estimator 22
Chapter 2 Exercises—Set A 23
Chapter 2 Exercises—Set B 24
Chapter 3: Cost Estimating: An Introduction 27
Introduction 27
Definitions 28
Types and Purposes of Estimates 30
Types of Contract Award Methods 44
Types of Contract Agreements 48
Chapter 3 Exercises—Set A 61
Chapter 3 Exercises—Set B 63
Chapter 4: General Requirements 69
Estimating General Requirements 69
Project Duration 70
Architectural and Engineering Fees 72
Workers’ Compensation Insurance 74
Builder’s Risk Insurance 76
Sales Tax 77
Chapter 4 Exercises—Set A 79
Chapter 4 Exercises—Set B 80
Chapter 5: Adjusting RSMeans Data to Job Conditions 81
Markups on Labor Cost 81
Interpolation between RSMeans Items 84
Substituting Known Local Labor Rates 87
Overtime Productivity Loss and Extra Pay 88
Effect of Inflation/Cost Escalation 91
Unit Consistency 95
Adding, Changing, or Deleting Costs 98
Chapter 5 Exercises—Set A 102
Chapter 5 Exercises—Set B 103
Chapter 6: Concrete (Division 3) 105
Types of Concrete 105
Estimating Concrete 108
Additional Estimating Examples 127
Chapter 6 Exercises—Set A 130
Chapter 6 Exercises—Set B 132
Chapter 7: Masonry (Division 4) 137
Types of Masonry 137
Estimating and Waste Allowances 138
Productivity Factors 138
Quantity Takeoff 139
Chapter 7 Exercises—Set A 146
Chapter 7 Exercises—Set B 148
Chapter 8: Metals (Division 5) 151
Estimating Structural Steel 151
Chapter 8 Exercises—Set A 162
Chapter 8 Exercises—Set B 163
Chapter 9: Wood and Plastics, Thermal and Moisture Protection (Divisions 6–7) 167
Wood and Wood Products 167
Nominal versus Real Dimensions 168
Thermal and Moisture Control 169
Estimating Wood-Framed Structures 172
Using Units of Quantity 178
Chapter 9 Exercises—Set A 180
Chapter 9 Exercises—Set B 181
Chapter 10: Doors and Windows, Interior Finish, and Equipment (Divisions 8–14) 185
Using RSMeans Costs 185
Division 8: Openings 186
Division 9: Finishes 187
Division 10: Specialties 195
Division 11: Equipment 196
Division 12: Furnishings 196
Division 13: Special Construction 197
Division 14: Conveying Equipment 197
Chapter 10 Exercises—Set A 198
Chapter 10 Exercises—Set B 199
Chapter 11: Fire Suppression, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical (Divisions 21–28) 201
Fire Suppression 202
Plumbing 203
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning 204
Electrical 207
Communications 208
Electronic Safety and Security 208
Chapter 11 Exercises—Set A 209
Chapter 12: Earthwork (Division 31) 211
Types of Earthwork 211
Soil Excavation 212
Cost Basis 215
Truck Capacity 218
Excavate by Hand or Machine? 220
Optimum Number of Trucks per Loader 222
Equipment Rental Costs for Short or Long Periods 225
Renting versus Owning Equipment 228
Chapter 12 Exercises—Set A 229
Chapter 12 Exercises—Set B 232
Chapter 13: Equipment Analysis 235
Equipment Depreciation 235
Equipment Expenses 239
Equipment Rental 244
Chapter 13 Exercises—Set A 248
Chapter 13 Exercises—Set B 250
Chapter 14: Assemblies Estimating 253
Preliminary Cost Estimating 253
Assemblies Estimates 253
Combining Assemblies and Unit Costs 256
Chapter 14 Exercises—Set A 258
Chapter 14 Exercises—Set B 259
Chapter 15: Approximate Estimates 261
RSMeans Project Costs 261
Using Online RSMeans Square Foot Estimator 263
RSMeans Project Costs 270
Chapter 15 Exercises—Set A 275
Chapter 15 Exercises—Set B 277
Appendix A: Contractor’s Cash Flow 279
Appendix B: CSI Masterformat 285
Appendix C: Sample Estimating Forms 289
Appendix D: References 297
Index 303
