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01-18-2010, 10:21 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Trade:
General
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 19
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Need estimating book
Can anyone recommend a good book on cost estimating for home building/remodeling? TIA
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01-18-2010, 11:01 AM
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#2
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Pro
Trade:
Framing
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Utica,NY
Posts: 1,122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdillard
Can anyone recommend a good book on cost estimating for home building/remodeling? TIA
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I have always used RS Means.com
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The Following User Says Thank You to Framer53 For This Useful Post:
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01-18-2010, 05:07 PM
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#3
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sam74
Trade:
Civil and Site engineer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 35
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You can also check out getaquote.net for free. I think it is fairly close to means.
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01-18-2010, 07:00 PM
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#4
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General Contractor
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: St. Petersburg, FL Minds of moderate caliber ordinarily condemn everything which is beyond their range.
Posts: 1,154
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I prefer Frank R. Walker's books and software. You can Google it.
__________________
"True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and only that which is."
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Bill Everett - St. Petersburg, FL
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01-18-2010, 07:40 PM
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#5
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"Pro"
Trade:
Construction Engineering Student
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 513
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I'll second the RS Means book, you could even save a few bucks and look into 2009 or 2008 edition (With the economy the past few years editions have been pretty close)
__________________
Dan
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01-18-2010, 07:46 PM
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#6
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Pro
Trade:
Project Management; LEED AP
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: near Trenton, NJ
Posts: 496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ayerzee
I'll second the RS Means book, you could even save a few bucks and look into 2009 or 2008 edition (With the economy the past few years editions have been pretty close)
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I wouldn't go by the material costs in the 2008 edition because just about everything was at the pinnacle of pricing.
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01-18-2010, 07:58 PM
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#7
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"Pro"
Trade:
Construction Engineering Student
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 513
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Good point. The 2008 book would be based on data from 2007
__________________
Dan
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01-19-2010, 12:49 AM
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#8
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Pro
Trade:
Repair/Remodel
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,224
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I use the Craftsman national construction estimator, I think it's basically the same thing as R.S Means.
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01-19-2010, 01:05 AM
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#9
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Member
Trade:
Olympian Inspections & Zlatis Builders, LLC
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 43
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01-19-2010, 07:36 AM
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#10
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Pro
Trade:
carpentry/drywall/plaster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 326
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how accurate do you guys find these cost books to be ?
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01-19-2010, 08:10 AM
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#11
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Remodeling Specialist
Trade:
Remodeling
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Derry
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d-rock
how accurate do you guys find these cost books to be ?
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I don't believe they'd be recommending them if they weren't accurate....but like all things there is a little bit of personal input and awareness to estimating that isn't in any book.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Baron For This Useful Post:
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01-19-2010, 09:00 AM
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#12
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Pro
Trade:
Project Management; LEED AP
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: near Trenton, NJ
Posts: 496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ayerzee
Good point. The 2008 book would be based on data from 2007
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Another good point since you mentioned that. I wouldn't go by 2009 either because the latter part of 08 prices were stong.
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01-19-2010, 09:19 AM
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#13
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Designer/Contractor
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Diego city/County, Cali
Posts: 176
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We use the National Construction Estimator Suite and it's okay but some of the prices seem to be too low. It does give us an idea on things we normally don't do.................
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01-19-2010, 09:33 AM
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#14
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Pro
Trade:
Repair/Remodel
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,224
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True, I've looked at some of the numbers on the Craftsmen National Construction Estimator and thought no way. According to them it takes two guys half hour to nail on one ten foot deck board 
Some of their prices or times will be too high, some will be too low, but most are pretty good. You have to double check and make sure they are kosher to yourself, or your business.
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01-19-2010, 09:45 AM
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#15
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Registered User
Trade:
Skilled Trades Staffing
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 17
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LOL, That's the Italian version Ken..LOL
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01-19-2010, 09:55 AM
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#16
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Pro
Trade:
Remodeling contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,131
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Home Tech
__________________
Remodeler in Maine & Vermont
Finish carpenter
Been doin' this stuff for a long time.................
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01-19-2010, 11:49 AM
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#17
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Registered User
Trade:
OK
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
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Try free ones online first before buying. Try building-cost.netthat might help in your search.
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01-19-2010, 10:55 PM
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#18
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Pro
Trade:
Carpenter/Remodeler
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 222
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try reading a book called handbook to construction contracting & estimating. I think its by Jack P Jones. Great book and shows good scenarios to estimate accurately.
I also use RS Means 2009 and its alright. Just gives you a basic idea but you need to know your pricing/labor from your own numbers.
__________________
Innovative Remodeling LLC
Licensed and Insured
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01-20-2010, 01:42 PM
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#19
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Registered User
Trade:
General
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 19
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Is one better than the other?
Thanks again.
Does anyone see a difference between an RS Means "Repair & Remodeling Cost Data Book" @ $144.95
vs
"F.R. Walker Remodeling Reference Book" @ $20 / year online subscription? Is one that much better than the other is what I'm asking.
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01-20-2010, 02:24 PM
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#20
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Pro
Trade:
Framing
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Utica,NY
Posts: 1,122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdillard
Thanks again.
Does anyone see a difference between an RS Means "Repair & Remodeling Cost Data Book" @ $144.95
vs
"F.R. Walker Remodeling Reference Book" @ $20 / year online subscription? Is one that much better than the other is what I'm asking.
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I have always used the RS Means and found it more accurate than others mentioned, but if you want to try the cheaper...., Who knows?? 
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