# RSMeans Data Online Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Is RSMeans Data Online the right Construction Estimating solution for you? Explore 304 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/151681/RSMeans/reviews --- RSMeans Data Online 4.2 (304) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated April 27th, 2026 # Reviews of RSMeans Data Online Ease of use 3.7 Customer Service 4.2 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews CR Christina R ICT ManagerMedical Devices, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “RSMeans Data Online is the choice that helps us govern all data solutions.“ December 3, 2024 JP James P Engineering AssociateCivil Engineering, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “It can be challenging at first to see how costs should be tallied from the spreadsheet - sometimes the unit cost isn't clear against the additive unit costs and maybe a highlighting program scheme could be introduced to select unit items and highlight the overall unit cost.“ October 1, 2021 CS Curtis S Owner/ DesignerArchitecture & Planning, Self-employedUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “I really like that it bases the cost on the location of the project.“ February 6, 2023 GS Genevieve S EstimatorArchitecture & Planning, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “Not enough ability to combine superstructure elements. Does not include at all the types of apartment buildings we build in the Western US: wood framed structures with steel on the first floor and hardi siding (90% of designs)...also the preloaded concrete structures are off. “ September 28, 2021 JL Jon L Senior AssociateArchitecture & Planning, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “Online cost estimating has allowed me to save estimates, and come back to update them.“ October 1, 2021 MD Mike D Project ManagerArchitecture & Planning, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “great for looking up information but could not make the effort of assembling a project cost online worth the effort. still look up the data and type it into our excel spread sheet. “ September 28, 2021 ZH Zachary H Senior AssociateReal Estate, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “The excel files exported from this service are usable and useful for my underwriting.“ September 28, 2021 CB Chris B Director of ConstructionConstruction, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Sometimes when estimating RSMeans software can be difficult to used simply because materials or assemblies aren't defined in the same way they are commonly referred to in the industry.“ September 23, 2021 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 304 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Aubrey B. Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means Data is helpful and an industry standard" June 20, 2019 4.0 Good experience. Great for quick ball park estimates needed in planning phase. Pros The almost limitless options for features of work and different tasks Cons Some of the profit margins seem a bit low. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Indispensable tool for estimating" January 8, 2019 5.0 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. Review Source GS Genevieve S. Estimator Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Not accurate and building types are too limited" September 28, 2021 3.0 I have not found it to be even close at all in cost to qualified bids on individual scopes of work on projects. We are an open shop but even using the union scale datasets, it is sometimes as low as 50% of actual. This makes it almost useless. In addition, the inability to customize building type superstructure elements is also disappointing. I need the ability to individually choose more options in order to make a ROM estimate meaningful and useful. Pros I like the design and ability to build estimates and customize Cons The quick estimates are predominantly building types and combinations not relevant to the types of buildings we build on the west coast. Not enough ability to combine superstructure elements. Does not include at all the types of apartment buildings we build in the Western US: wood framed structures with steel on the first floor and hardi siding (90% of designs)...also the preloaded concrete structures are off. It seems like building types haven't been updated for about a decade or the Western region is completely overlooked. We don't have the concrete and brick apartment structures out here. Also - the nomenclature of data is hard to find...looking up something simple like "drywall" doesn't appear - so you have to learn the RSMeans nomenclature for everything. Having synonyms for lookup would be helpful. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Engineering Manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "General Industrial Design Practices" October 15, 2018 4.0 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. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Partner Management Consulting Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Great For Estimators of all Levels" February 5, 2019 5.0 I think RS Means is a valuable tool for various levels of estimating, from the non-experienced estimator to the very qualified estimator. From any level, RS Means can provide a sanity check or baseline of putting together a comprehensive estimate. Used with caution, it is a great tool. Pros Easy to navigate and understand. Software contemplates so many different scenarios that it can be easy to obtain the information you are looking for. I really like the factoring for various city indices. Cons Provides general information. Need to use the software with caution. Understanding the factors of the various line items is key in developing accurate and reasonable estimates. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Mechanical Engineer Higher Education Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means for Cost Estimating" February 12, 2019 5.0 I use RSMeans to do cost estimates for building repairs, retrofits, remodels and equipment replacements. Pros The outline style breakdown helps with finding what you are looking for in a timely manner Cons The search function is tough to get the wording just right to find what you are looking for Review Source VR Verified Reviewer General Contractor Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RSMeans Online" October 12, 2018 5.0 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. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Civil Engineer Military Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans Data Online Review" July 25, 2019 4.0 Great tool for quick and easy parametric cost data. Recommend another more detailed software for more in-depth estimates. Pros Serves as an easy way to research costs online and build quick parametric estimates. Cons You need to remember to update your location each time you log on to get the correct locality adjustment factor. Review Source Dave A. Principal Planner & Development Consultant Civil Engineering Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "RSMeans is a big asset!" June 20, 2019 4.0 Excellent so far! Pros RSMeans has really helped us to focus more on what we do and not try to become professional estimators. I absolutely love the square foot calculator and use it all the time. It’s been a real help to us in adding value to our clients. Cons It sometimes can be a little too robust in what it can provide for cost estimating, leaving you searching for the many elements in the library. But it is hard to be frustrated when software has more than you need. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Owner Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Verify square foot cost model availability before purchase" February 19, 2019 3.0 Free trial for square foot cost model did not include product type we most needed. The sample information provided looked very good. After purchasing the product, and gaining access to the the full product, we were disappointed to discover that our particular product class was not well represented. Working around the problem be creating our own models but full functionality expected in SF cost models is not realized. Pros Robust data seems to transfer well between markets. Cons Felt like the sale pitch for square foot cost model over promised a bit. Review Source TH Timothy H. Estimator Real Estate Used the software for: 2+ years ### "How RS Means Affects The Estimating For Elcan & Associates, Inc" October 5, 2021 5.0 Overall it does the job we need it to do. However, I am not overwhelmed with satisfaction. Pros How I can break down my estimates into individual lines items Cons The process of changing the city/state locations Review Source JM James M. Senior Operations Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means Online Provides Great Localized Cost Predictions" September 23, 2021 5.0 Provides 99% of cost data, to accurately project costs for a construction project. Excellent accuracy, and efficient method to develop project costs. Pros Easy to use for determining cost data for the majority of typical construction projects. Cons Does not have cost data for some specialized construction activities. This requires alternative contacts with local vendors/contractors to project anticipated costs. Review Source Response from Gordian November 18, 2021 Hi James - Thank you for taking the time to submit feedback of your experience with RSMeans Data Online. Specialized construction items may require that you use custom line items. You can add custom data into the platform to use within your estimates. You can find helpful information in the Online Help Center to learn more about using custom data. AM Abdul M. Faculty Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans Data online user feedback" June 21, 2019 4.0 We use in different courses in the construction project management program. It a great online cost data and great tool have it. Pros The software has different levels of estimating (square foot estimate at early phase of project during feasibility study, assembly estimate during schematic phase and unit price for detailed estimate). Ease to use, and exporting report to MSExcel. Cons It is all in imperial units (inches, feet, square foot etc..). There is no feature in the software to convert imperial unit to metric unit and the user must have an option to either work in imperial unit or metric unit. All construction drawing in Canada are in metric unit. Second, if someone works in imperial unit and generates a report, there must a feature in software to easily convert the result or report to metric unit. Third,there must be a feature in the software that enable the user to integrate the online cost data to AutoCAD, Revit, MSProject, Primavera Project Planner P6, Primavera Risk Management and other construction management software etc... Review Source BB Brant B. Senior Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means Online Evaluation / Comparison with Costworks CD Version" June 13, 2019 3.0 Using the Online version takes more time than the CD version and the lack of ability to tailor the costlist view in the Online version when compared to the CD version is a significant deficiency that I hope can be modified. Pros I like the ability to access my estimates from any location with a good internet connection. Cons The online version does not permit "tailoring" of the costlist window at the bottom when completing an estimate. In the CD Version, you can hide columns that are not needed without having scroll from right to left in the costlist screen. Additionally, when you enter Notes in the CD version, they are displayed and it's easy to copy notes from one line item to another. The online version is cumbersome when entering notes and after closing the note, you can't see it without opening the note screen again. If the costlist display screen in the Online version can be modified to allow Users to tailor what they see and to display the notes once entered, this will SIGNIFICANTLY improve the User interface. Review Source MD Mike D. Project Manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "RS means review" September 28, 2021 4.0 Pros The ability to search the data base and have the latest up to date data information drove the transition from the books to the online data base. Cons great for looking up information but could not make the effort of assembling a project cost online worth the effort. still look up the data and type it into our excel spread sheet. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online industry recognized as a reliable source. Review Source SS Shobhit S. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Good Experience" October 4, 2021 5.0 Pros Rs means has a good database with a timely update with the latest prices. Cons Rs Means is not best with the user friendly Review Source Response from Gordian November 18, 2021 Hello Shobhit - Thank you for taking the time to submit feedback of your experience with RSMeans Data Online. We have provided your feedback to the Product Development team around user friendliness to be considered in future enhancements. MW Michael W. President Facilities Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Keep Up to Date" June 20, 2019 5.0 I started using the RSMeans books many years ago as a Facilities Engineer. They were excruciatingly difficult to use; they are expensive and do not update. When the opportunity arose to use RSMeans on-line, I took it. As a Buyer/Engineer for Aerospace I needed up to date information for bid justifications and comparison. As a Consultant doing facilities cost estimating for the Navy, I need the most up to date information I can get. RSMeans on-line provides me with that information. Pros The ease of using and the quaterly updates. Cons Obvously everthing is not in the data base. So I may have to estimate and get close to use a line item. Review Source CE Caitlin E. Project Coordinator Civil Engineering Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great Resrouce" September 28, 2021 4.0 RSMeans Online has been a great learning tool for both experienced professional on our team as well as entry-level individuals. Pros We switched from e-books to RSMeans Online and it has been great! Our team finds it more interactive, easier to find information, and overall a great experience. Cons There are so many different packages and customizations which is good on one hand, but also a bit much as some people want more functions while others wouldn't necessarily use them. Review Source Response from Gordian November 18, 2021 Hi Caitlin - Thank you for submitting your feedback and we are glad to hear that your experience after switching to RSMeans Data Online has been great! We've passed your feedback along to the Product Development team to take into consideration for future enhancements of the packages and customizations. TJ Thomas J. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RSMeans is a dense, powerful tool for the construction expert" October 7, 2021 4.0 Pros There is more cost information in the database than I could have imagined. The assemblies look to have some promise, but I have not had the opportunity to use them much. Cons The information is overwhelming at first and there is not much in the way of tutorial or basics available at start-up. The information is very specific to technical terminology - typically that found in A&E rather than field knowledge. Review Source GS Gary S. Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Using R S Means On Line" June 28, 2019 5.0 Means Data Online is an estimating tool you can take with you. Where ever you have connectivity, you can generate and estimate. The search feature makes using the online product much easier and quicker that the book style where you have to search through multiple pages to find a particular item - or use the index. With the online data, you can print out your estimate where (with the book data) you have the correct data but what do you do with it? Pros The name and cost date compiled by R S Means is known nation (or world) wide as a respected source of cost data. It is easy to use and estimators everywhere can generate a consistent estimates. Cons Means needs to increase their intuitional/industrial cost data. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online The "first cost" is reasonable and R S Means is probably the best known source of reliable cost data. Review Source EW Elstein W. Staff Engineer II Civil Engineering Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "RS Means" February 22, 2019 4.0 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. Review Source CH Christopher H. Associate Principal Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans Data Online Review" October 6, 2021 5.0 It helps as a guideline to pricing Pros Ability to change cities. productivity shown. set out as one would expect for trade format Cons Some pricing is off. Roofing pricing needs better expansion. Review Source ZH Zachary H. Senior Associate Real Estate Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Good source for construction data" September 28, 2021 5.0 Pros The square foot estimator is a very helpful tool. The excel files exported from this service are usable and useful for my underwriting. Cons Access to data is compartmentalized (commercial, residential, earthwork, etc.). Our investment fund is not limited to certain RE sectors so we'll review all types of opportunities. Our use of RSMeans is limited to the sector to which we're subscribed. Although we would only use one of the other offerings 2-3 times a year, we don't pay for that service because it doesn't seem like it is worth it. Review Source Response from Gordian November 18, 2021 Hello Zachary - Thank you for taking the time to submit your feedback! Please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team with any questions in the future. JC Joseph C. Owner Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Worth it" June 13, 2019 5.0 Pros Large database and still able to enter customized line items that fit our needs. Cons Even though the database is large there are lacking items for residential remodeling. Some areas are robust whereas others have very few and require more leg work creating line items. Review Source JL Jon L. Senior Associate Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Good product for online cost estimating" October 1, 2021 5.0 Online cost estimating has allowed me to save estimates, and come back to update them. Pros Ability to create estimates based on assemblies, components, or square footage, using up-to-date data Cons Lacking "help" functionality (or it's limited or difficult to find). Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online Previous history w/ RS Means printed books. Review Source Response from Gordian November 18, 2021 Hi Jon - Thanks for providing your feedback. The Online Help Center and Reference Items tab located in the account drop-down menu are great resources and have a lot of information. If you aren't able to find what you need there, please reach out to our customer support team. ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes.