# Page 6 | RSMeans Data Online Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 6 - 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 6 - Reviews of RSMeans Data Online ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 126-150 of 304 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use LV Luis V. technical manage Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means review" June 14, 2019 4.0 I use RSMeans only as a reference not final price. Pros Amount of information is extensive, cover all areas regarding construction fees. Easy to navigate throw all menus. Cons Some prices are not easy to understand, detail cost is not available to now which items are clearly included. Review Source HG Howard G. Vice President Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means Data On-line" June 27, 2019 4.0 The on-line version works well. Allows us to provide cost estimated fairly quickly. Allows us to double check cost estimates provide to us. Pros Provides a fairly quick method of creating a cost estimate. The software allows you to export your estimate in to Excel for final processing. Cons What started off a a cost effective alternative to the printed book has grown into a over priced piece of software that small companies simply cannot afford. The material costs and labor hours never agree with the cost estimates provided to us by electrical contractors. They always complain about our use of RS Means as a check on the value of their work. Review Source PV Paul V. Chief Estimator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "User" June 17, 2019 3.0 I use it for a quick unit cost check is all. Pros That it has a lot of items to chose from. Cons It has to many line items to chose from and need to be more user friendly. It also to pick up more words in the search window and not say none shown or found that is really frustrating Review Source NM Neil M. Sr. Construction Consultant Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Software Review" July 2, 2019 4.0 Pros Gives another perspective/tool for checking building cost. Seems to be more driven from a contractor's perspective v. an insurance driven software like Xactimate Cons Can be difficult to navigate. Need to go thought multiple steps to get cost for specific task. Review Source CR Cory R. Pre-Construction Manager Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RS Means Review" July 2, 2019 4.0 Pros Able to work with different types and different quotes for reference Cons The software lags when working through it. Not sure if possible or not but would like be able to share estimates between users (company employees). Review Source ML Michelle L. Senior Cost Consultant Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great Estimating Resource" August 8, 2019 5.0 Pros Very comprehensive cost database. Good coverage of locations across the US and Canada and useful index tables. Cons Although it contains a very comprehensive database of items, there are still some items I can't find but usually those are specialty items. Review Source GA GARY A. President Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Excellent Resources" June 28, 2019 5.0 We are estimating construction projects and performing life cycle analyses. Pros Using the online version helps us track our estimating and save different versions that can be quickly updated. It saves us a lot of time. Cons The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. Review Source TH Thomas H. President Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Review of RS Means - Mechanical and Electrical" July 2, 2019 3.0 Question-1: Can RS Means provide back-up information to support the validity/accuracy of the RS Means Mechanical piping estimated installed $ values for each US city? Question-2: Does RS means have a list of reference mechanical contractors (for each major USA City) that could be provided - in order to confirm the validity/accuracy of the RS Means Mechanical 4 Costs estimates? Pros The software was relatively easy to figure out how to use. Cons The $ cost estimates for the piping and labor that we did - were found to be too low or under-estimated for a project in Washington-DC. It was for ~2,000 ft. of CPVC Schedule 40 3" Plastic pipe and fittings. A 3rd party Washington DC contractor provided a 2 x times higher price; however, we believe that the Washington-DC contractor quoted too high because they did not have sufficient experience working with the CPVC piping \[RE: which is glued together and requires 1/3rd to 1/2 the labour cost per foot than compared to metal piping\]? Review Source LW Lisa W. Sr. Lead Estimator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Convenient" July 3, 2019 4.0 Pros Convenience - much easier than lugging around books + quicker searching. Much easier to take advantage of location adjustments. Cons Viewing reference items during a search, sends you back to square one when you leave the reference docs. Review Source LT Ly T. Development Manager Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Functional but library is very limited" October 1, 2021 3.0 The overall experience was satisfactory. The program was easy to learn, however the database was so limiting and the costs questionably low in light of the current market. Pros I liked how the program allows you to download the costs for a project into an excel document. Cons The library was limited so I would often have to choose a similar product. Many times the alternate was a less expensive simpler version of the item I was trying to price out. This was detrimental to me as I was required to use RS MEANS to calculate construction costs through a government program. As a result, I will be credited at a lower amount than the actual construction cost. Review Source BW Brian W. Sr. Regional Consultant Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Building Consulting" July 1, 2019 4.0 Pros This software allows us to easily identify the area/zip code in which that the work is being completed. There is no hunting for specific price lists, etc. Cons We should be able to get labor rates for specific areas of the country. Review Source KF Kenneth F. Principal Architecture & Planning Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "New User" July 4, 2019 5.0 Pros Easy to understand, short learning curve. Multiple ways to determine costs. Cons A good estimate needs detailed reference notes. Placing the notes column at the far end of the data wastes time scrolling back and forth. Either relocate the comments column, or allow users to hide columns in between (if that feature exists then make the instructions on doing so more explicit). Search function was somewhat difficult to use. Common items did not appear to turn up as expected. The data should default to sorting by reference number. When unit pricing items are added to an assembly pricing estimate, they should logically be sorted within the same division (e.g. landscaping items with Division G sitework costs, buried plumbing with Division D costs, etc) so that when the estimate is printed, unit item do not need to be moved around to present a coherent cost summary. Review Source MD Marc D. PM Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "review" June 13, 2019 3.0 After 20 + years in Architecture, I was very disappointed with our experience from the GC side and seeing the actual data. Sorry. Pros The format say with Masterspec and information you intend to provide would be helpful if accurate. Cons The data to support the software, which is the most important part, is incorrect and missing. When asked you could not provided adequate answers as to why. Also the union/non-union cost reasoning is a red herring. Review Source kL keith L. Lead estimator/SR PM Higher Education Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means value" June 20, 2019 4.0 Overall, positive experience Pros Ease of use. Using the ON LINE version. Updates to cost information are done quarterly.. Cons Software sometimes runs slow. You can only copy/add ~10 line items from the database to a specific estimate. Review Source TB Tom B. Vice-President Design Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Estimating Database" June 13, 2019 4.0 Both are state in the Pros and Cons discussion above Pros Up to date costs data that is location specific. I have built a template of work elements that I can quickly adjust by location and can update as the Gordian updates the cost data. Cons It is on-line and slow to use. I find using it with a copy of the printed RS Means that we have on our shelf from years past makes it easier to navigate. Review Source TR Todd R. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Cost Services" July 2, 2019 4.0 Long range forcasting for customers has inproved. Pros The easy access to quick Square Foot Estiomates and the detialed CSI sectins and unit costs. Cons When printing out a Square Foot Estimate the sample photo is generally wrong. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online No Reason Review Source AM Angel M. Owner Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great tool for estimating. " September 28, 2021 4.0 We use it to reference data on all our bids. Will continue to use the service. Pros Very helpful when trying to price out projects. Usually its dead on. Cons We are do a lot of drywall finishing and Black Iron for ceiling support, and there are not much details for pricing labor. Review Source ML Ming L. Professor Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Rsmeansonline.com" June 20, 2019 4.0 Provide benchmark data and standard work breakdown structures in developing an Estimating lab for civil engineering students Pros Compatible with CSI MasterFormat, UniFormat Cloud updates Cons Educational cost still high Still not easy for beginners to search for the right items Review Source JM Joshua M. Senior Consultant Design Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "My Review Title" June 13, 2019 5.0 It was good enough, for a novice user / not an actual cost estimator, to get a basic idea of what a simple project may cost. Pros There was an extremely thorough list of goods and it was helpful to select different markets to compare construction costs across locations. Cons It would be great if commonly linked items were grouped together in some way for users who are not professional cost estimators. I'm planting a tree on a street. What might that include? Removing concrete, hauling, liner, soil, tree, signage for construction, etc. You always end up thinking about another component. Review Source BJ Brian J. Chief Operating Officer Financial Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Too Complicated for my needs" June 25, 2019 5.0 I works well if you know what you want. I don't. Pros Gives a very accurate estimate of the cost of a project Cons I don't know how to use it. When I met with a General Contractor he was able to use the software just fine. I am an accountant. I just want to check Good, Better, Best and get an estimate. There are a number of classes offered for the product but i don't have time to take the. I will not be renewing Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online I thought that it would be better than what i was using. Review Source CK Cole K. Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Lets get to work!" June 27, 2019 5.0 This has been great at helping me earn more work! Pros I like that is has all the task items I could dream up so far. Cons Some the the search features were slow or I didn't hit their correct search criteria. Review Source ER Elvis R. Cost Estimator Design Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Photos" February 12, 2019 4.0 Some times it gets slow and have to refresh constantly to get a search result Pros That estimates can be saved for better review and for future estimates. Cons That there are lots of different packages. it should be one price for all data cost. Also that non of the items have pictures for better understanding of what a cost code is about or what it considers. Review Source CC Carl C. Chief Estimator Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great tool for your toolbox " February 12, 2019 5.0 I have been using RS Means Data Online for over 5 years and it is a go to tool in my estimators toolbox. Pros From change order reviews to estimates needed on bid day when the subs don't always come through. RS Means Data Online is like having another estimator on staff. Cons Would like to see it a bit less in cost but understand the effort that goes into compiling and maintaining the information. Review Source FH Frank H. Managing director Banking Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Decent product" June 20, 2019 5.0 Good overall product Pros Easy to use and prices are updated fairly quickly to reflect current market conditions Cons It is only good for generic buildings. Harder to price specialty items Review Source AP Anhony P. Estimator / Planner Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Construction Estimator " October 5, 2021 3.0 Pros Guidelines, overall average cost for most products Cons Hard to understand between product and labor cost Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online No competitor at this point Review Source Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes.