# Page 8 | RSMeans Data Online Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 8 - 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 8 - Reviews of RSMeans Data Online ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 176-200 of 304 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use AE Akhilesh E. Program Manager Utilities Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Very Easy to use and Amazing Historical Index " July 2, 2019 5.0 I work on developing population level technical papers and their historical cost index is amazing to estimate the change of cost over the years. Pros It is so easy to use. Any first timer can easily figure this out. The industry trust this source and hence one does not need to worry about justifying. Cons I had a small hiccup in transitioning from one email account to other. However, the team was pretty responsive in resolving this Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online Well respected in the industry. Review Source TV Thomas V. Construction Inspector Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Easiest, fastest program" June 15, 2019 5.0 A benefit i obtained s the city regional based data. Pros I like the many options presented to develop a comprehensive estimate. Customer Service is the best I had encountered with any cost related company. The could based software is second to none. Cons There are really no cons that I encountered utilizing this software. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online Cloud base software enable me to utilize when traveling. Review Source DK Douglas K. Cost Manager Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Hawaii Data" October 12, 2018 4.0 Good baseline data source for pre-construction and cost estimating comparison, but can't compete with local experience working in the actual location you're pricing. Pros decent list of typical items that are often used in cost estimating Cons While they do ask for your location and adjust the various unit rates, there were many that were not close to the actual costs seen. Cost in Hawaii is very high and hard to predict, but I would have expected more accurate pricing. Review Source SM Shawn M. VP Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Needs Improvement" September 28, 2021 4.0 Pros Favorites section of data to not have to manually dig each time Cons Not enough features or accurate pricing for Division 9, specifically floor covering. From a subcontractor POV, these rates are extremely inaccurate but it's currently data that contracts are being bound to. Review Source kC kathleen C. Data Strategy Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans Data for cost trends by locale" June 13, 2019 4.0 The data provided is very useful especially when creating a job estimate. If you are looking to get a large set of data over multiple geographies it can be difficult. Not sure if this customer segment has been considered. Pros I appreciate how granular the data gets and output is easy to understand. Cons First timers might struggle with how to create an estimate and update it over time. Price per square foot and reference charts would be good if more easily extracted (not PDF) Review Source jT jean T. engineer Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "very thorough and useful great" October 19, 2018 5.0 A great tool to get reliable construction cost estimates. When there is so much action going on in the marketi find that RSMeans enabled me to build defendable estimates. Pros Comprehensive list of activities listed Good breakdown of labor vs equipment vs material Good information related to location Make sure that the version also includes the templates and guidelines they're are found in the excellent printed editions! Cons The data is great but some of the references (PDF) are somewhat disconnected In some cases it's not easy to relate the data (single entries) to the assemblies, especially those involving partial labor (e.g. 20 min of labor) The PDF format currently in use for crew breakdown doesn't work. A dynamic list should be used that also allows a user to adjust rates on the fly based on location Review Source SE Stephen E. Energy Engineer Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great overall product!" July 2, 2019 5.0 Pros RSMeans is an industry accepted tool for estimating project costs. Using RSMeans has increased the legitimacy of our project quotes. Cons There is a lot of information and can be difficult to navigate for beginners to the software. Review Source MK MICHAEL K. Principal Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Worth a Try" March 4, 2019 4.0 Other on-line packages may provide more detail. The Square Footage Estimator is limited, but it is nice having access to the tables and historical information so I can prepare reasonably accurate comps. Pros Access to documents and tables 24-7-365. Cons Limited construction systems available in square footage data. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Senior Estimator Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RS Means Use" October 15, 2019 3.0 Overall I use it when we have no historical data. Sufficient for the purpose of getting some units. Pros It has a pretty easy user interface. As a new user I was proficient within a few weeks of using the software. Cons Units for different types of work and areas of the country need to be looked at carefully. I have found some "bad" out of the box costs. Review Source NS Nathan S. Project Manager Facilities Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Cost is high for what you get." June 27, 2019 3.0 Pros It is easily accessible and you can build an estimate in the system. Cons There are a lot of missing items that I need pricing on. Also the reports are not near as helpful as they could be for a system like this. Review Source SW Samantha W. Administrative Assistant Design Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "LDG Review" June 20, 2019 4.0 Pros The fact that it is software and it keeps from having another book laying around. Cons Having to pay full price for a second license/user account. There should be a reduced rate for a company that wants to purchase more than one license/user account. Review Source HS Henry S. Project Coordinator Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great for finding projects but expensive" August 2, 2019 5.0 Looking for projects to bid and getting documents Pros It had many projects and it's easy to use. You can get bid documents and contact the owners. Cons It's very expensive especially if you are looking at jobs in multile states Review Source AA Aaron A. Director of Estimating Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RS Means Online Book" October 15, 2018 4.0 Pros I like the ease of being able to look up multiple items without having to check several pages in a physical book. The online data allows me to look up things quite quickly. Cons In the search feature if you don't get the wording of the item you are looking for as an exact match to the data, the response comes back as item not found. Without an index of some type, it sometimes makes it hard to find the work item you are looking for. Many tasks are known by multiple similar names, so if you enter the wrong one, Means will not return any data items. Review Source David R. Vice President Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Good Product" June 27, 2019 4.0 Satisfied with the product Pros The pricing being updated quarterly, and the pricing seems to fairly accurate for my area. Cons There are many items that 1) seem redundant and it's hard to tell which item I'm actually needing, and 2) some of the item descriptions are unclear and I'm not sure if it's the item I'm actually needing. Review Source Alvaro S. Director / Engineer Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Beginner user" June 13, 2019 5.0 I am using to estimate construction cost of electrical work Pros I can find cost in local currency. Somehow easy to navigate (easier than a pdf at least) Cons Nothing yet since I haven't have many opportunities to use it yet Alternatives considered [Timber](https://www.capterra.com/p/160865/Timber/) Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online On my past job, before I became self-employed, we used the paper version from 2014. So I decided to go with this online version. I will see how often do I use it before I renew the online membership or buying the pdf version. Review Source KR Kyle R. Service Manager Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "New User " June 13, 2019 4.0 I took a webinar that was very broad in the construction field, I was hoping it would be more specific to electrical as we could follow along with the book. I am slowly getting the hang of it and trying new things with adding favorites and putting in adders for labor or special locations. Pros As a new user taking over for a previous employee, I like how easy it is to find previous estimates. I can go back and review the way a similar job was done before to help me with current estimates. Cons It always takes me the longest to find certain material codes and make sure it is really what we will need on the job. i also have a hard time understanding how to do certain tasks that a job will need, but end up finding something similar that i can make work. Review Source RB Robert B. Managing Principal Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Design Cost Estimates" June 13, 2019 4.0 We are asked to provide estimates of probable cost for projects at early stages of design, and this software is a help in delivering the estimate. It also helps in the review and verification of contractor change order prices. Pros it is easy to use and easy to set up for your geographical area. It is searchable for materials and associated costs. Cons It seems to be missing equipment that we need for the types of projects we design. Review Source AH Alan H. Architect Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Lots of Choices available everywhere " June 13, 2019 4.0 The ability to use the software anywhere and do the basic things quickly has allowed for us to get clients cost data while still in front of them. No more running back to the office after a meeting and sending an e-mail the next day with the updated cost data. Pros The variety of the items that are included still amazing to me. Cons There are times that the program is cumbersome and does not allow the flexibility that old fashion books did. Review Source ST Sidney T. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Ridgid" June 20, 2019 5.0 Your well known in the industry Pros The material is view able online, I like the availability Cons It is not very user friendly. I think I purchased the wrong software. There was no were to try each type of your offerings. I went and purchased something that does not fit my need, and you would not move my subscription because I used it once, trying to figure out the software. Review Source RR Rigo R. Owner Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great Info" June 20, 2019 5.0 Being able to use information as a backup to verify pricing. Pros Amount of information available. Ease of use of searchable content. Cons Some specific items do not have available pricing. Review Source RS Ron S. State Capital Outlay Cost Review Architect Government Administration Used the software for: 2+ years ### "State Capital Outlay Cost Review Architect" October 12, 2018 5.0 I love the sq. ft. models for the various buildings (classroom, office, etc.). However, the HVAC included in the models is unrealistic for our purposes. I would prefer if the software allowed for some alternate systems to be selected, such as different HVAC units. Pros The completeness of construction items that are available with costs. I also like the fact that this is on-line and I don't need to reinstall software each year. Additionally, this allows me to access the database from home. Cons The search engine is not very forgiving. For example, it will not show items that are close to what I typed in. Review Source MW Martha W. Inside Sales Specialist Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Honest Review" June 20, 2019 3.0 I prefer to have it online since it is only one click away. Pros I love that I can save individual quotes separately Cons You can never find what you are looking for. It's a guessing game and too much research. Review Source CV Christopher V. Construction Manager Government Administration Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "RS Means Review" October 12, 2018 5.0 I use RS Means to complete and compile work estimates mainly for change order items. Without RS Means I don't no where I could get the information I need. It is also accepted by the FHWA and is a tremendous help with my work as a Construction Manager for the DOT. Pros Availability and abundance of data for specific work. Cons I don't think it is as user friendly as it could or should be. Sometimes difficult to navigate around in the software. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer President Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "ease fo use" February 15, 2019 5.0 Pros The software is very easy to use. I found the assemblies very useful. The square foot estimator is partially useful for quick budgets. Cons I would like to see more assemblies in the square foot estimator. Automatic saving of the estimate would be a priority for me Review Source BW Bruce W. Engagement Manager Information Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Solid Platform for costing" June 20, 2019 5.0 Although we are not project estimators, the RSMeans platform helps us to keep up to date on pricing dynamics within the building/construction materials market, and that is critically helpful in the research and analysis work that we do on behalf of our clients. Pros The depth of different construction materials that are included in the RS Means cost database is great. I especially like the cost breakouts between material, labor, and overhead. Cons I wish that it was easier to export line items to an excel spreadsheet, since I do most of my work in Excel. 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.