Current issues in scrolling through the data and entire screen scrolling with your search scroll

There are a few things that make this program very frustrating to work with. The biggest issue is trying to scroll through the data after you search for something. Say "Doors" the database has like 1000 items that are related to doors and it will generate the first 40 or so items in the screen but when you go to scroll down in the window to see more - it takes a while for the new data to generate - and I have a fast connection 100 MB/S so it is not the internet. But that is not the issue - it is the fact that if you scroll too fast and the website has to search for more data, then the entire screen scrolls up and you have to continuously grab the bar and scroll back down. It happens also when you scroll up the entire screen will scroll down and then you have to scroll back up... The other issue is the width of the columns - the allow you to size the columns that way you want them but the column bar is like one pixel wide and for you to point your mouse at exactly the right location on the screen to get the column bar to size the column takes FOREVER !! I have wasted like 6 hours out of 300 trying to resize the columns - the problem is that you can not see the material, labor and equipment prices until you either resize the columns or continuously scroll to the right and then you have to scroll back the left in order to check the item that you want to add to your project - so it is continuously moving back and forth and up and down - NO GOOD

Pros

Great data, excellent product database, great Square Foot model, I have the full blown professional version which comes with unit prices, assembly prices and square foot models for all types of buildings for all divisions for all locations throughout the USA. By zip code, you can set the labor type - union or open shop ...

Cons

Too costly - I paid $$$$ for the full blown version and it is missing some components. Such as LED light fixtures SF costs. Columns are hard to adjust. The layout of the website is not user friendly. To create a SF Model is not user friendly at first. It needs to be more intuitive, and easier to follow. The first thing you have to do is name the project in order to generate any kind of data out of the SF model - well the Name Cell is way down the bottom of the web page - and not up near the top - so if you select the type of building you want and size etc -- it will not generate a SF model .... I have been using RS Means for over 10 years - I started using it in 2004 and they had CD versions then they came out with one license agreements for a server type version - then it was named Costworks - I truly loved the CD version of RS Means Costworks - The best part of having CD is if you lose internet you are not out of business like I was the other week!!! For over 8 hours I had no power in my house therefore no internet and using a Hot Spot does not do the trick when you are searching a database with over 30,000 items....

shared Data Base

Pros

The access to all the trades and the ability to match items to specifications has been a great help. also being able to retrieve old proposals and have them update quickly

Cons

I also have the JOC software from RS Means which no one at RS Means seams to understand and they have tied my passwords to the same account but if I am locked out of one I can not get in the other one.
Then all the tech know how to fix this is delete all your cookies. these are place markers for other programs and be cause of the failed IT side of this it makes it hard to accept it as a leader.

Excellent source for labor, material and equipment cost

The cost for this online product is very economical. I am a cost consultant with over 40 years of experience that does work throughout the United States and would not consider any other construction cost software that suits my needs. I also like the online webinar's that features major trends in construction.

Pros

Easy to use! Enter your location at the entry screen, save and close and proceed to getting regional cost.

Cons

This is a tough question! This software improves ever year. I used to hate how I would have to log back in to the software when I had left it idle, now its not a problem with the new "idle" mode - Thanks!

RS Means

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.

Pros

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

Cons

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.

Ease the headaches of Costing

Pros

One of my favorite features with this software is the locator. Having the costs customized to your location is so handy and much more accurate than applying a general multiplier to each item.

Cons

My least favorite feature about RSMeans is the subcategories. I love having all of my HVAC costs in one category but I find the subcategories hard to navigate and find exactly what I'm looking for.

RSMeans Data Online

A great investment!

Pros

Great for quickly estimating larger budgets. RSMeans Cost Data is second to none. I find it is extremely accurate. Great tool for developers, project managers and estimators.

Cons

It is expensive. But I have found it is well worth the money.

Review of RS Means Online

Overall, RS Means is a great tool and resource. It provides a wide range of cost data that is easily accessible.

Pros

Wide range of cost data that is kept up to date.

Cons

Some of the item descriptions are confusing and hard to understand what exactly the item entails.

President/CEO

We are a commercial construction company that competitive bid on projects .

Pros

The software is user friendly and gives a good foundation for cost estimating.

Cons

Sometimes I find the cost estimate to be rather low compared to actual bids.

RSMeans review

Pros

Large amount of data provides a good breakdown of project costs and helps identify which items have the most impact on budget.

Cons

Difficulty of use - not enough tags for finding line items with alternative names. You have to know the exact name of what you're looking for or there aren't enough keywords to find it. Also not enough variations on some line items to build an accurate proposal. Not enough items specific to site-civil horizontal construction - most horizontal items are specific to the work going under the grade in a vertical construction project. Difficult to build specific prices on something like a water treatment plant or stormwater collection system without having to use surrogate line items.

Indispensable tool for estimating

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

Pros

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

Cons

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

Powerful, yet lacking

I have a great experience when it comes to cost data on items I am able to locate, but find it hard to search and locate the exact item/assembly I am looking for. Also the estimating section could be more user friendly. Some of the assemblies are not specific enough and do not allow different exterior finish options.

Pros

Power software with cost data. Love the cost index feature. I like the ability to build an estimate.

Cons

Difficulty in searching for desired methods/products and less than desirable estimating section.

ASU estimating

Quick turnaround is required for funding estimates. RS Means provides a means for a quick turnaround.

Pros

Easy to use and the interface with Excel

Cons

The assembly module/option could be expanded

RSMeans Online

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

Pros

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

Cons

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.

Great starting point for unique estimates.

Pros

I like the tools RSMEANS gives for guidance if you are unfamiliar with a particular trade.

Cons

The auto logout is annoying. It would be better if you got a log out on your own.

RS Means

Positive. We use RS Means to verify the cost reasonableness of construction costs for federally funded disaster recovery costs.

Pros

It provides a broad cross section of construction industry price data.

Cons

Because the data for labor is gathered from a large variety of sources, it is not reflective of common construction pay rates for many labor classes. Locally, very few construction workers receive any type of benefits with their hourly pay.

Great tool for your toolbox

I have been using RS Means Data Online for over 5 years and it is a go to tool in my estimators toolbox.

Pros

From change order reviews to estimates needed on bid day when the subs don't always come through.
RS Means Data Online is like having another estimator on staff.

Cons

Would like to see it a bit less in cost but understand the effort that goes into compiling and maintaining the information.

Photos

Some times it gets slow and have to refresh constantly to get a search result

Pros

That estimates can be saved for better review and for future estimates.

Cons

That there are lots of different packages. it should be one price for all data cost. Also that non of the items have pictures for better understanding of what a cost code is about or what it considers.

Heavy Construction

ports and maritime and foundations estimates

Pros

easy to find data by the name. it is relevant. it is precise

Cons

it does not show pictures like the previous version I used to have.

Rsmeans improvement

Pros

Easy to navigate, a lot of options, connect from anywhere in the planet

Cons

- I always want, that when you click any item you have a pop up photo of what the item is.
- If you are looking for an item not only the description that you type, you also select the type of unit:
sample: Ceramic tile and Unit Square Feet

General Industrial Design Practices

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

Pros

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

Cons

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.