Construction Codebooks > RS Means Estimating Guides > 2012 RS Means Assemblies Cost Data 37th Edition

You'll find separate reference aids to assist you in budgeting any job, or in quickly checking a unit price estimate or subcontractor proposal. The reference section provides the information needed to create a conceptual estimate without construction plans.

Improve decision making with quick and dependable cost estimates. Want to improve project planning and budgeting? This easy-to-use guide gives you the building components required to develop accurate assemblies-level cost estimates, evaluate trade-off costs, and verify unit price estimates. Be prepared to estimate any job with this indispensable cost reference.

• Make better-informed decisions.
• Weigh the options - price and evaluate assemblies alternatives.
• Check the validity of unit price estimates or subcontractor proposals.
• Perform quick square foot cost estimates.
• Create a conceptual estimate without construction plans.

What you'll find inside:

• New! Completely updated and expanded with thousands of building assembly and component costs.
• Updated square foot costs for nearly 60 standard building types.
• Updated reference information and cost-planning guidelines.
• City Cost Indexes and Location Factors for over 930 U.S. and Canadian locations.
• Estimating forms arranged using UNIFORMAT II project breakdown.

And:

• FREE RS Means Hotline. Access to RS Means engineering staff for technical information about the cost data.
• FREE email subscription to the RS Means quarterly update service online newsletter - a comprehensive report on market indicators and construction price trends.

Assemblies:

• A: Substructure.
• B: Shell.
• C: Interiors.
• D: Services.
• E: Equipment and Furnishings.
• F: Special Construction.
• G: Building Sitework.

Reference Information:

• Reference Tables.
• Cost Indexes.
• Square Foot Costs.
• Reference Aids.
• Estimating Forms.
• Abbreviations.

1. Define the scope. Your estimate needs to be for a specific scope of work. Be sure your estimate articulates and defines this clearly so everyone understands exactly what's being estimated.
2. Use a good cost data source. Well, here you are looking at the RS Means. You've got this one nailed.
3. Don't include general "fudge factors." Include specific ones. For example, calculate the exact cost of a bad weather day. Then estimate how many such days are likely to occur. That's your bad weather cost estimate, not some arbitrary number like 10%.
4. List constraints. These include time constraints, access issues, and anything else that might cause delays, produce extra work, or require additional resources. In a separate section of your estimate, include a cost breakdown of these. You won't need this information for the purposes of submitting a bid, but you will need it for purposes of risk assessment, project management, and T&C negotiations.
5. Include testing and adjustment in your estimate. Cost over-runs are often due to failure to properly test as the work progresses.
6. Don't forget daily mobilization and start-up costs.