# Page 3 | RSMeans Data Online Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 3 - 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 # Page 3 - Reviews of RSMeans Data Online ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 51-75 of 304 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use GM Geri M. Office Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "All Aspects Unreliable" June 20, 2019 1.0 Overall experience is terrible! The best marketing strategy RS Means has done is to tie contractors to their software by making them use it if they want government contracts! By doing this, they limit the contractor's ability to shop the "fair" market for estimating software and provide their customer (The Government) with a reliable and timely estimate. Pros There isn't a single aspect we like about this software. Cons The software is unreliable! It has costed our company several hours of lost productivity. If you call customer support for a technical issue it takes several days to get an issue resolved. They say they'll call back and they don't. They say you can log in in 15 minutes and you can't. They sell this software to Customers who require contractors to use it, but when the customer requests a quote, the contractor can't provide it because the software is down. I think Gordian needs to realize the contractors are their customer too! We pay thousands of dollars to use a software that is unreliable! Review Source SM Spencer M. Project Controls Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review of the pros and cons of RS Means Online" October 31, 2019 5.0 In general, I have had excellent experience with Means. I feel confident in their prices, wages and factors for various areas of the country. I live in Mexico so would love to have a Spanish version. Pros the scope of the cost items is very extensive. The wage rates are very good and the crews are excellent Cons they should have versions for Power Plants, Refineries, Mining and Metals and other large types of projects. They should also design it so that there would be a industry standard type of estimate report. Means used to have a Spanish language version. They should continue with this version. Review Source TC Tim C. Sr. VP Engineering Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means at our Firm" February 5, 2020 4.0 We provide our customers with budgetary estimates during our design processes. Pros Ability to line item choose from all RS Means disciplines we subscribe to. Ability to customize our output reports. RS Means have the majority of the systems that we need to provide accurate budgetary estimates. Cons I administer our RS Means account, but I very, very seldom use it myself. As the account admin, I am forced to be one of the user accounts; therefore, I have to allow staff to log on with my e-mail and password to use the online cost estimating. We have determined that we do not need more than two simultaneous accounts and our preference would be to assign the licenses to who needs them, when they need them. I can do that with the non-admin license, but not with the one assigned to me. I’d prefer not to have staff logging on as me (administrator). Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online I believe we've used RS Means for cost estimating since I joined our firm in 1980 Review Source HL Henry L. President Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review" June 28, 2019 5.0 Major client requires use of RS Means as basis for change order development and certification in their standard contract. Many civil utility contractors are reluctant to use the software because they base change in daily costs, based on resources in use on the project at the time the need for change is ID'd. They do not base their unit rate pricing on actual field conditions encountered at time change is identified, so they have trouble to, or do not wish to, use RS Means as the basis for their change proposal. This creates a problem for us as Owner's Rep to build a change order estimate that is readily comparable to contractor's proposal. Pros Wide selection of items ... recognizing that it is impossible to have every item included, the software developer tries to have a broad range of common sense construction items covered Cons Not much to dislike. For some of my needs for taking data from the software and putting it into the client required format, the cut-and-paste attempts are blocked or do not function. Review Source AA Ali A. Senior Cost Estiimator Mining & Metals Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Project Cost Estimating" June 20, 2019 5.0 I'm doing cost estimate for mining projects. The projects covers work of many disciplines like civil, electrical, mechanical, piping...etc. RS Means provides reasonable support in terms of cost estimating for mining projects but not enough details and this is why I use usually another database for comparisons and fill the gaps not provided by RS Means. Pros The software is easy to use and has a good details about required man hours for tasks and the pricing of materials and equipment. Cons It covers only commercial projects and has minimal support for industrial projects. Review Source Timothy S H. Estimator Commercial Real Estate Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Powerful, yet lacking" February 6, 2019 5.0 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. Review Source JC James C. Operations Manager Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Difficulty in navigating" September 23, 2021 2.0 Not great with out extensive training for the softeware. Pros Acesss is easy as in you can always get logged in Cons With no training (that doesnt cost a bunch of money) It is extremely difficult to figure out how to make it work. Almost impossible actually Review Source MG Muzaffer G. Director Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "RSMeans" October 5, 2021 5.0 I am very happy with it. It is great product for us Pros It is very important for us to estimate our projects. RSMeans give us what we are looking for Cons It should be more resources of YouTube to learn the software for new users Review Source Response from Gordian November 18, 2021 Hi Muzaffer - Thank you for your feedback. You can find helpful resources to learn the software in the Online Help Center as well as our training courses that are hosted in a variety of formats. For additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team in the future. GL Godwin L. Cost engineer Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Most Comprehensive Cost Database Ever" July 2, 2019 5.0 I have been using the product for over 10 years for construction cost estimates after I stopped using the data books. Using the search engine for items and having the in-built estimator software makes my work easier. Pros Ease of use, search engine, features and functionality Cons RSMeans is most often behind in incorporating new materials on the market in the product. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online RSMeans is more comprehensive than any other database I have come across Review Source JS Joe S. Estimator / Specifications Supervisor Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "shared Data Base" October 24, 2018 4.0 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. Review Source JD John D. Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Conceptual Estimating" June 17, 2019 4.0 Pros RS Means is extremely helpful in creating conceptual Budgets. It offers me an array of building models to start with and a comprehensive library of assemblies to add, subtract, or change the model to fit the particular building that I am estimating. The end result is a quick and accurate conceptual budget, with a detailed summary of the estimates assumptions. My set sum estimating on projects is also enhanced by allowing me to search RS Means data to compliment our in-house historical data. This virtually eliminates planning bias when pricing items within a project that we do not have historical data for. Cons I had a little trouble getting knowledgeable feed back from the rep that called for the renewal. I probably should have contacted customer support with my question but I received the renewal call before I had a chance to. The rep was very nice on the phone. Review Source CS Colin S. President Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great Software and Easy to Use" June 17, 2019 4.0 We are a construction management firm - not a general contractor. We see a very wide variety of work types and construction styles that make it difficult to maintain an in-house cost model. RS Means allows us to have up to date data without the maintenance costs of a self built database. Pros We really like the square foot estimator. It allows us to quickly talk over conceptual projects with clients and make our project kickoff meeting really meaningful and efficient. Cons The web interface doesn't always format correctly on my screen. Often times the chart titles don't line up with the data chart making it difficult to read. Review Source Sofia V. Associate Professor Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Faculty Review" October 12, 2018 3.0 I use RSMeans in my estimating and planning and scheduling courses. I have found it fairly easy to use it, as well as my students. It has the majority of the costs listed that we use in our projects. Pros \- Easy to create new projects and save on data base. -Easy to find material -Real time updates - You can access it anywhere on-line Cons \-Unable to fully delete users (student) on RSMeans. They show up every-time we add new students, even-though they are marked as "not active." - Have to look up the crew on a PDF file. It would be great if there was a function that would allow to hoover over the crew number, in the estimates page, and have a pop-up box show you a quick look at the actual crew. Review Source JM Jared M. Senior Estimator Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Standard for Construction Cost Data" June 13, 2019 5.0 Overall, RS Means is an excellent to to use for the base of construction cost estimating. As a professional estimator, you must still keep a pulse on the markets, and specifics of your projects, as well as understand how to properly apply the cost data presented in RS Means. Pros I appreciate the extensiveness of the cost data library Cons I wish there was a better way to build/ develop your own assemblies Review Source Adrian R. Resident Engineer Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Uses for SF estimating" October 16, 2018 4.0 Good - experience - but sometimes too much data to be able to see the outcomes clearly Pros updated costs by region - you have quarterly updates Cons Does not have a substantial SF cost database that would be helpful in ROM estimates Does not have all the items we encounter on federal construction jobs Review Source RK Rita K. Principal Estimator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Need Improvement in Certain Areas" June 28, 2019 4.0 Contract requires RSM pricing. This makes it easier Pros It is so much easier than the books! You can search but need to narrow it down for speed. Cons I can't search as fast as I would like and can't customize the export into Excel to match my contract spreadsheet. Also exports into Excel that have certain symbols, do not work Review Source RH Robert H. Cost Annalyst Lead Government Administration Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Hope You Read This?" June 13, 2019 4.0 Pros It is set up in CSI format to help locate various item needed for an estimate. Cons I started with CostWorks, it seemed a little easier to locate thing and the description of what you were selecting was readily available. RSMeans on Line is a bit more cumbersome. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online More economical and it does the job Review Source DK David K. Vice President Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "RSMeans Online Estimating" June 20, 2019 5.0 In this current construction market we are able to get budget estimates out quickly to prospective clients utilizing the RSMeans square foot estimator. This gets our firm in front of more clients and gets us more opportunities. For our smaller firm, the cost is not cheap, yet it is justifiable seeing the results of how quickly we can turn out estimates. I also like the professional look of the exported data into excel. Pros As a smaller general contractor with few employees, being able to turn around estimates quickly is critical. I have utilized RSMeans square foot estimator to help understand project costs and help owners initially develop budgets. This is helpful in the current economy because trade contractors are so busy getting bids timely is sometimes difficult. Also, I like having updated costs at my fingertips to understand where the market is. Cons The square foot estimator needs more models. Our firm is located in California and a lot of our projects are type V wood construction. The models that come up are steel, masonry, or brick with skins that are slightly different than what we are bidding/building. If I could get some models similar to what we are currently working on in our market that would be great! Review Source DH Dallas H. Estimator Higher Education Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "What RS Means means for me" June 20, 2019 3.0 Overall I really like the online portal. My only frustrations come when I know that it can do more. I feel like it is a good tool that could truly great. Pros The fact that it is reactive to current costs and I know that the cost I am seeing online is reflective of the current pricing world. I love the assemblies tab and wish that it would grow. I really appreciate the search feature. I like that fact that it is digital and saves me from hauling a book or books around and I believe that most of the time it saves me time versus looking it up in the book. Cons The search feature is too rigid often only searching one area when there can be multiple terms for the same item. I would love to see the assembly section grow. There are many other tasks that would be an incredible time savings if they were in the assembly section. I would like to see more explanation of what all is included in a line item. explain the processes more thoroughly that help decide one category v another. Review Source SS Shelby S. Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RSMeans allowed my company to take our bidding to the next level" June 13, 2019 5.0 My small-business enterprise construction company has won a large number of bids following the adoption of RSMeans. We used to work only through Excel and use memory, material numbers, and past experience to bid. Now, we are winning more jobs, completing bids faster, and bidding more accurately. Pros Offers accurate unit prices for specific areas, eliminates toggling between applications for estimating, quick turn-around times for bids Cons No ability to filter searches, i.e. filter search within specific line item, sometimes when searching in the search bar the word does not register when hitting "enter", you must manually click the "Search" button Review Source VC Vivek C. Cost Consultant Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "My Experience using RSMEANS" June 20, 2019 5.0 Pros Ease of use - I mean we can get $/UOM regarding any construction work based on any location in US/CANADA. Cons Price of packages - It seems bit high. Also, you must consider that teams will be using this - so please consider increasing the number of users for an account Review Source wP wensley P. manager engineering Transportation/Trucking/Railroad Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means review" June 20, 2019 5.0 Overall experience over last 2 years has been excellent. Prior to that it renewing subscription turned into a mess every year (not being billed timely, billed 2 and 3 times) Pros ease of use, costing data is updated on a regular basis Cons thinks that i like least are addressed in more expensive packages Review Source sG seth G. Head of Estimating Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "My Take on RS Means" June 13, 2019 4.0 Pros I like the ease of searching for a "needle in a haystack". I can drill down quite far to get detailed item pricing Cons Not enough parameters for square foot estimates. I would like to see the ability to put more info in when I start the square foot estimate Review Source GR George R. Certificate of Need Reviewer Government Administration Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans Data Online Review" June 13, 2019 5.0 RS Means establishes a State standard for building costs for our regulatory board. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board relies on the Gordian Group/RS Means to establish construction/modernization standards for health care facilities in the State of Illinois, and they do it very well. P.S.: Sorry about the Bruins, they played a good series. Go Blues! Pros The ease of use, the functionality of the online subscription service. The customer support. Cons Periodically, the system will "mini-crash" causing me to re-enter data for one particular project. Small price to pay for the end result. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online Ease of use, customer support, familiarity with product. Review Source LL Leena L. Librarian Libraries Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans Data Online review" September 23, 2021 2.0 Depending on projects students need all data and the academic version RSMeans has does not work for our students. I have been telling RS Means for several years but they do not seem to listen, they are only concerned about commercial use but you are losing out on teaching students who will use it when they graduate. Pros I do not like that you do not have an product for Academia as this product is used by students and if you want students to learn you need to help librarians provide right access. Access in academia works best with ip addresses and not by seats. Also, when we need access which is for a week or two in the semester it for the whole classroom and we cannot use the products if it only for 2 users as we cannot afford any more seats. Cons none at this time Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online Survey is very poorly constructed does not have option for other than what you would like to see as answers Review Source ## 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.