Small Project Design

My firm is looking to invest in an estimating book or database.

I've used the Craftsman National Construction Estimator in the past.

My boss is recommending RS Means.

Does anybody have any recommendations on resources?

Most of the time we ask our GC contacts to review our estimates, but in the situation where time is tight and we can't wait for them to get back to us I was wondering what resources other architects like.

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Matthew Berge AIA
Royal Oak MI
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Recommend using a cost estimating consultant in your area. If its a large project - many national estimating firms. Much more accurate than whatever resource you use 'cause we're not on top of local economics and which material supplier is playing OPEC at the moment. 

Put outside estimating fee in your contract. It protects everyone. 

Smaller GC's usually do not know how to estimate - they only know how to call subs and add numbers - that's not an estimate. Larger GC/CMs can do reasonably accurate parameter estimating from concept drawings. 

Hope that helps. 

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John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
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Our firm use RS Means BCCD #60013 (part number on hand only because I happen to have one on my desk at this very moment).

We always adjust our numbers by the City Cost Indexes found therein, for instance in the Hampton Roads area where we are located, has a weighted average of about 87% of the national cost in the books body.

We track our Contractors Schedule Of Values (SOV, G702/3) against our estimates, and for those subcontractors that we see on a regular basis on our project sites, with our GC's permission we ask for and often receive their SOV's as well.

We have had a very good estimating track record. Before the economy went to $%^& we were nailing estimates to within 2% then we gave up. We have seen some Contractors take projects just to maintain some sibilance of a cash flow or just to keep their staff busy, sacrificing all profit. Those Firms that started down that path several years ago are no longer with us, the people are although be it in different capacities with the firms that are surviving but they to have cardboard in their work boots.

There being no way to estimate for those circumstances, verify conditions about your area and take the pulse of your local trade associations. They provide a wealth of free data and another "I really do care to know" marketing opportunity. 

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Gerald F. Martin, AIA, NCARB
Martin & Martin Architecture, Inc.
Chesapeake VA
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