# Page 5 | RSMeans Data Online Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 5 - 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 March 16th, 2026 # Page 5 - Reviews of RSMeans Data Online ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 101-125 of 304 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use RD Ryan D. President Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Estimating Upgrade" June 27, 2019 4.0 We converted from an old legacy system that required hours of data entry to maintain an accurate database. It also was restricted to one cost base. RS Means provides us with up-to-date costs for different areas that has allowed us to provide more competitive proposals. Pros Timely cost data and ability to add custom lines have saved tremendous time Cons Sometimes it has been tough to find some items but this has improved as we have become more familiar with the system. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online Our group was already very familiar with the RS Means Books. After sampling the system and seeing how easy it was to use, the move to online was a easy decision. Review Source aN andrew N. Owner Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "I do a lot of my work via my phone. It is horrible on a phone. " September 23, 2021 2.0 Don’t like it Pros Gives me numbers to support my quotes. It is very useful Cons Using in on a mobile platform. Should have an app. Review Source SL Shelley L. exec manager Management Consulting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Used RSMeans for more than a decade" June 21, 2019 5.0 Overall experience has been very good. Pros I have utilized RSMeans data for many years. First in book form and then online. The vast array of information and the ability to hone down to a specific region for costing are invaluable. Cons Download of data in excel file format limits use for some purposes. Some keyword searches are a little tough if you don't have the specific industry terminology down. Review Source JB John B. Manager Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Search could be improved" June 28, 2019 4.0 The current interface is usable, but can be inefficient at times. Pros Generally logical organization of line items. Cons The search feature is lacking. There needs to be support for Boolean searching e.g. searching for one word while excluding another. There need to be the ability to limit search to a certain division or subset. e.g. searching within 23 HVAC or 2309 HVAC Control only. Speed can be slow Review Source Jennifer V. Sr. Project Engineer Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "A Little Complicated But Very Worth It" December 6, 2019 4.0 Helped solve many problems, most having to do with not having enough information. I will continue using this software and books for many years to come. Pros Helps standardize an otherwise wildly unpredictable industry. I used this to help price ROMs (rough order of magnitudes) on potential incoming costs to help prepare or understand costing better. While the site takes a bit of time to fully understand (and to be fair, I still have a lot of learning to do), there is SO much information there. Cons I wish finding there was a better section on pricing per square foot for types of building. I had a pretty good section in my hard copy book, but couldn't seem to find this anywhere online. Review Source JP James P. Engineering Associate Civil Engineering Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "RSMeans is an excellent resource for engineers" October 1, 2021 5.0 Primarily used for getting local bid estimates together, best value for earthwork and concrete Pros The cost data provided for each quarter as well as many geographic options in the US helps to develop a reliable estimate from the ground up Cons 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. Review Source JS Jeremiah S. Project Engineer Civil Engineering Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great for Heavy Civil Industry" May 28, 2020 4.0 As far as cost estimation goes, this is the most widely used tool in the industry for a good reason. I have found that in some cases, the cost estimates tend to be lower than bids from contractors. Pros The best feature is being able to save job specific cost estimations that can easily be transferred to a similar job in a different region as needed. Local adjustments are available for even remote places in the United States. Cons The user interface can be a bit challenging to get used to. There are some acronyms that are not explained and require a bit of digging to find. Review Source JT John T. Senior Construction Analyst Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Good, but flawed" June 20, 2019 4.0 Better than flipping pages in the RSMeans book, but functionality and specifically the search function leaves a lot to be desired compared to your competitors. Pros RSMeans the is most trusted name in estimating for my uses in dispute resolution, and this allows me to access the same information as the book, but much quicker. Cons The search function is atrocious. One should be able to search within certain divisions and not be forced to search the entire database. Also, too many letters for the item description cannot be seen easily due to font size and spacing. Review Source DC Derek C. Project Estimator/Manager Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Worthless" July 26, 2019 2.0 Pros It does provide information on very specific items. Cons To address the previous comment....it does provide information on very specific items, however if you know exactly how to get to what you are looking for then there would be very little issue with navigation. Since there is, in my opinion, no direct path to finding costs for specific items (it takes practice), there is no true savings in using RSMeans Online; buy the hard copy if you want to use RSMeans. Also, I have yet to meet any one that truly uses RSMeans as it is essentially a dead tool. Review Source GF Gerard F. Director of Estimating Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great Product" June 20, 2019 5.0 Supports my estimating/bidding efforts with information on construction items that I may not have used before (no prior data) but need for a new budget or bid. Pros It provides easy access to a lot of data quickly. Also like the SF model tools. Cons No network license is offered. Would like to see a multi-year discount subscription offered also. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online Less cost. Review Source MW MIKE W. Senior Estimator Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "EC doing Government Work" June 27, 2019 4.0 Good, useful, helps maintain budgets when submitting to government projects Pros Custom Estimates, labor rates per area or region, union non-union is how we determine prevailing wage, but a prevailing wage option in the labor would be good to see added Cons Missing Data like precast Vaults and Excavation, recent lighting changes for LED Review Source AP Ashley P. Project Coordinator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good for our use" June 13, 2019 5.0 The online version is a lot more convenient for us than the book. Pros This software can be a quick check for us in very preliminary stages of estimating to know if we are in the correct ballpark and help us to understand our internal budget a little bit better. Cons Some items can be a little tricky to find. Also, it takes a lot of getting used to when first using it. Review Source DA Daniel A. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### " RSMeans Data Online\_Review" June 20, 2019 3.0 Very good. Not much else on the market that we compare it to. Pros This software gives our company the confidence to bid jobs with scopes that we do have much experience with. Cons Lack of line items that include detail of specific details in construction (ex. Flat roofing values with no stripping costs?), leaves less confidence that everything is covered in scopes that we don't have experience in. All dollar values are in USD so we can only use labour hour values. Overpriced service for what we use it for. Review Source JS Jack S. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Really good." November 4, 2021 5.0 Pros Everything is in one place. Nice additional options. After you learn the structure of data, it gets quite easy. Cons Not easy for a completely new user. Search index is sometimes tricky. Review Source TA Todd A. Cost Segregation Specialist Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RS Means Review" June 28, 2019 4.0 Pros The software I like is the square foot models, we use for our cost segregation studies and the search data. I use the data to update out templates quarterly. Cons There are some item that could be put in, there should be more graphics of the items. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online RS Means is all that we were looking for Review Source NL Narom L. Project Manager Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great starting point for unique estimates." October 12, 2018 4.0 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. Review Source AL Adrian L. Admin assis, Inspector, Diver Civil Engineering Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great product!" May 27, 2020 5.0 Pros With the web introductions and walk-throughs it makes it easy for my engineers to look up what they need, fast and efficiently. Cons I, to be honest, have never used the product , but with the initial tutorials that we got last year with the 2019 version the engineers seem to be totally satisfied with this product. Review Source lB luis B. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Luis Bolanos" June 13, 2019 4.0 In most cases we use the software to compare production hours for unknown tasks in different projects. Pros easy to log in, pretty accurate with the wage rate of the different geographical are. production hours are pretty accurate too Cons Software does't recognize common name for different material, you have to be pretty accurate when entering a name of the item you are looking for. Review Source BG Brian G. Architect Higher Education Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans Data Online" July 2, 2019 5.0 I am using the data base for estimating the costs of renovation projects to facilities on a college campus. It is helpful to have so much specific data readily available and to be able to justify my estimate by referencing a reliable, national source. Pros The ability to edit the data for my needs on a particular project. Cons Determining what unit costs might be for certain crews. Review Source SB Steven B. Senior Manager Accounting Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Books vs Online" June 13, 2019 4.0 Overall experience is good with function and ease. Would be nice to be able to add seats or additional users to an account at a discounted price vs purchasing an entire another account. Pros At my figure tips, don't need a stack of pricing guides on my desk. Cons Tricky to learn and sometimes hard to search for things. Review Source DE Donald E. Assistant Manager Design & Construction Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Estimates done with reliability and quickly" June 27, 2019 4.0 I have used the program for many years and find the web version a nice change as it's very intuitive and esy to learn and use. Pros The web based data and ability to use anywhere I have connection Cons Creating estimates from all the materiel takes time. I would be good to have some pre-made templates with typical items for building spaces. Review Source CH Charlotte H. PCA/Construction Services Project Coordinator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good cost estimate starting point" June 21, 2019 5.0 It's a good place to start if you have no idea how much something will cost. Pros It's fairly easy to use. The search feature can help narrow down where to look. Cons Costs doesn't always seem accurate for given locations. It also lacks the ability to modify by building type (high rise roofing costs far more than low rise). Review Source sW steve W. director of preconstruction Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RS Means Online Data" June 25, 2019 5.0 Very good. We use this for all unkown construction costs Pros Quarterly pricing updates automatically apply Cons difficult to search for specific items. You need to have perfect spelling for anything to show up. An algorithm that allows for misspelled works would be recommended Review Source KH Kelly H. Sr Facility Director Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "RS Means ok but lacking" July 2, 2019 4.0 The ability to perform square foot estimating is huge when working on replacement costs for facilities. I just wish options were available true to the healthcare industry facilities. Pros I like the SF cost estimating for new or renovated construction. Cons Building data is limited. I am in healthcare and was told I would be able to estimate any of my facilities. Most of my Medical office buildings are 3-5 stories, your buildings allow only 1-2 stories for MOBs. Makes no sense not to have more options under the medical area when purchasing a medical oriented software. Same is true for equipment, there are no boilers or heating options in an MOB. Review Source KW Karin W. Manager Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Almost There" July 2, 2019 4.0 I've enjoyed this product, but wish it there were more customization options for Square Foot Models and Assembly Costs. Pros Ease of export to Excel, Search feature is pretty good Cons Square Foot Estimator - Not enough options for wall/framing types Search Data - Difficult to resize columns Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online More flexibility Review Source Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes.