Construction Cost Data Sources
The following are my top data sources for construction cost estimating. I use them successfully in my detail or conceptual cost estimating. They apply to most construction markets, from buildings to many industrial and infrastructure projects. Of course, nothing beats the actual cost data that we collect from completed projects. Unless you work for a company with a rich feed of data from the field, you will find yourself in a position to reach outside resources.
- John S. Page Estimating Manuals. An excellent resource for activity-based production rates. All these books are available in print format from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
- Estimator’s Equipment Installation Man-Hour Manual
- Estimator’s Piping Man-Hour Manual
- Estimator’s General Construction Man-hour Manual
- Cost Estimating Manual for Pipelines and Marine Structures
- Estimator’s Man-Hour Manual on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilating, and Plumbing
- Conceptual Cost Estimating Manual
- Estimator’s General Construction Man-hour Manual
- Estimator’s Electrical Man-Hour Manual
- RS Means Yearly Cost Data Books. A great resource for construction cost data. While the costs apply to the US market, with some Canadian coverage, it is still a great resource for crew composition and production rates. The books are available for sale on the RS Means website, http://www.rsmeans.com.
- Compass International Yearly Cost Data Books. A great resource for international cost data, covering over 120 countries on industrial and commercial projects. Books are available on the company website, https://www.compassinternational.net/construction-estimating-yearbooks/
- Design Cost Data Magazine. A great resource for preliminary cost estimating and data modelling. Cost data applies to North America. One can access a large database of historical data on building construction through their website’s subscription. Visit them at http://www.dcd.com.
- The Chief Estimator Software. Even though this is a cost estimating software, with the option to buy the cost database, I could not miss this from the list. The database that integrates with the software is impressive, to say the least. It has comprehensive task, crew, labour, equipment and material databases for many infrastructure and industrial projects. It makes cost estimating a breeze once you learn how to navigate around the software. Like any other live resource, the database needs maintenance if you want to produce accurate and up-to-date construction costs. To inquire about this software, contact Paul Hewitt, the founder of the software. See LinkedIn profile here: Paul Hewitt Linkedin.
- I always turn to Engineering News-Record for cost trends and indexes, https://www.enr.com.
All these are paid resources and can cost in thousands of dollars; I find them worth the price. For those instances when I need access to reliable data, I am glad I have them.
I hope you will find this information useful. If you have any resources that you would like to share with the rest of us, please leave a comment. It will be much appreciated!
