# Page 9 | RSMeans Data Online Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 9 - 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 9 - Reviews of RSMeans Data Online ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 201-225 of 304 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use DM Daniel M. Owner Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great data, horrible interface" February 25, 2020 3.0 I love the idea and the amount of data it can give access to but it's difficult to get the data out to be used in a meaningful way. Pros The data is comprehensive and everything you could possibly ask for. The amount of info available is awesome. Cons It so almost impossible to meaningfully read and use the data. It is clunky and does not work. It's just not UI friendly. Review Source HA Halla A. Estimator Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Excellent Software" October 19, 2018 5.0 Pros can export data to excel, can save my projects Cons Couldn’t found some item, and I wish if there is an international version Review Source KW KAREY W. Owner Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Fastest and easiest way to generate costs for a bid." June 21, 2019 4.0 I am able to do more estimates in a shorter amount of time. Pros There are plentiful assemblies that allow you to put together bids quickly. Cons Sometimes not all unit costs are available. At times assemblies are limited as well. I often have to find the closest match that isn't exactly correct. Review Source RG RUBEN G. Sr Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Useful but not to accuarate" June 13, 2019 4.0 I think is useful as a guide for the estimates but government entities should not relly directly on this tool/ Pros It has a lot of information and a lot of items that help build the estimates Cons I think you can make it more user-friendly and also the pricing is off in a lot of the items (under-priced) there are some that also are overpriced. Review Source DB Darryl B. Principal Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "RSMeans review" October 1, 2021 4.0 I like the web version. It provides what I need without having another piece of software to maintain, update and take up space on my laptop. Pros I like the ability to edit the square foot estimate. Cons We are a small firm and do custom residential as well as light commercial. I wish I had the ablility to do both with the standard package. Reason for choosing RSMeans Data Online see above Review Source MM Marvin M. Director of Estimating & Preconstruction Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Mixed Feelings" June 13, 2019 4.0 Provides the info I need when I need it. However, that is not daily so it is expensive for the amount of time it is used. Pros The software is easy to use and is easy to learn. Cons The cost. Used to be able to purchase access to those modules you needed. Now you have to buy an entire suite in order to get access to the one module you want. Review Source MS Matt S. Project Engineer Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RSMeans REview" June 20, 2019 5.0 Very handy. Mainly using this to price out change orders, and to vett subcontractor change orders Pros I like the ease of use and the good detail for doing takeoffs and estimates. I like the feature of being able to build an estimate in Means, then import it in various reports. Cons Can't really think of something to complain about Review Source JS Jordyn S. Environmental Engineer Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review" October 1, 2021 3.0 ehh Pros it gives ballpark pricing , doesn't seem to be all that accurate Cons Hard to navigate, unless your search is exact, nothing similar will come up Review Source SP Shawn P. Market Manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The pros and cons of RSMeans Online" October 23, 2018 3.0 It has been a great tool to talk with clients in real-time about design options and their affect on the bottom line. In the past this has been an issue with alot of mistrust around it and being able to show validated third party costs has added credibility to costing work. Pros The best parts of this software is that availability to access it anywhere I am. Its been great to be able to show clients a third party cost and the relative effect of different scenarios in realtime. Cons It can run slow at times and its not intuitive to non-technical users. Review Source EK Emanuel K. Project Manager Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Very informative " June 22, 2019 4.0 My over all experience with the product, has been good, when in a hurry I can look items up pretty quick. Pros When you need to get line item cost, its very informative in getting you an average to start your estimates. Cons Some Items where a little hard to find and understand. Review Source JLK J Leland K. EE Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Very good but not perfect" July 2, 2019 4.0 Ability to customize specific tasks that are not standard in the industrial installations. Pros Up to date installation and material costs throughout the United States Cons Searching for specific tasks that are not listed. Not enough specific industrial electrical installation tasks. Review Source JB James B. Engineering consultant Insurance Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Area specific pricing." June 27, 2019 5.0 Pros Easy to use and able to use pricing for specific locations. Cons Not able to run a simple report separating labor and materials Review Source RW Randy W. Estimator Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Means features-pros and cons" June 27, 2019 3.0 Helps us be more accurate with our initial budget prices with owners, thus reducing our risk to being tied to a sq ft price that doesn't reflect true market costs. Helps owners make quicker investment decisions, and allows us to partner with them. Pros Quick overall budgets by using square foot estimator. Helps to get an idea where prices should be. This is the only feature that is important to me in my role. Cons Difficult to customize the sq ft estimate to materials matching the job I'm pricing. Too cumbersome to pull in assemblies--lookup feature doesn't find key words well. No good pre-engineered assembly or sq ft building option. Review Source TM Thomas M. VP - Architectural Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great Work RSMeans" November 8, 2019 5.0 We used RSMeans Data Online both as a sales tool and as a construction cost verification tool. Pros Ease of use of square foot cost estimates, especially substitution of systems. Cons Not every cost line item corresponds with actual products, but we are usually able to determine the equivalent. Review Source TK Trishi K. Sourcing Analyst Food & Beverages Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great and Extremely detailed information. The tool requires a bit of a learning curve" July 2, 2019 4.0 Insightful and extremely detailed information plus the cost models are very good to have. The customer service is also prompt and helpful. Slight learning curve before you can effectively start using the tool. Pros The information presented is extremely detailed and is available for a plethora of cities and towns in US and Canada. Building cost models with custom configurations are very useful. Cons The tiered approach and the overlap of line items in the datasets. Review Source DM David M. Technology Administrator Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Online Estimates " June 13, 2019 4.0 Pros The software has all of the features and data needed to create professional estimates. Cons The user management is terrible. If you regularly assign different people to use this software within your organization the features for managing that task do not work! Review Source MG Matthew G. Director Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "RSMeans" October 8, 2019 3.0 Pros The data is available online rather than in hard copy. Cons The online database is difficult to navigate. Review Source LF Luke F. Owner Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Great Tool" July 27, 2019 4.0 So far I think it is a great product Pros The database is very inclusive and has tons of great data for the price. Cons The organization of cost items sometimes makes it difficult to locate the appropriate line item for your project. Review Source JM Jack M. Manager, EE Dept. Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Electrical Cost Data" October 6, 2021 5.0 Provide independent cost estimates to our Government clients Pros Automatic calculations and reporting. Searchability of line items Cons It csts extra to be able to add my own line items/cost datat. Review Source FF Fuzail F. Sr. V.E. Coordinator Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Useful Software" September 29, 2021 4.0 For me this is very helpful and I will continue my subscription. Pros SF Estimate capability. I can few information and based on that it has capability to generate estimate. Cons Customization is difficult. If I want to add a line item it is not very convenient. Review Source Response from Gordian November 18, 2021 Hi Fuzail - Thank you for taking the time to submit feedback of your experience with RSMeans Data Online. We have a lot of information in the Online Help Center regarding Custom Data. If you have additional questions, please reach out to our customer support team. MT Michelle T. Project Controls Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "RS Means Review" June 27, 2019 4.0 We use the pricing data when pricing change orders and/or unit prices. Customers usually accept this method. Pros Ease of use in finding pricing. And general acceptance by most owners/customers when using pricing for change orders Cons a little pricey but all other features are good Review Source AK Aubree K. Director Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Outdated Software & User-ability " February 13, 2019 2.0 Pros Nothing. I have used the printed cost guide manuals in the past- the way the software was "pitched" thought it would be great but you can find better data on Angie's List, etc. Cons The new program said that it also includes "remodel/rehab" data not just new build. However, the amount of info you have to enter just to price cabinets for example, makes it too time consuming and worst part- it'a not accurate. Online data for free is more useful. Save yourself time and money and use online data and throw your logo onto a word doc to create a bid. I've also used the online chat feature for help and was only told to "go look on the website" etc- very disappointed. Buyer beware- very expensive and they must know their limitations because there are no refunds- so it's a literal trap. Review Source TM Tim M. Partner Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "I recommend RSMeans" July 2, 2019 5.0 Pros It's very customizable for location and time period. It's easy to use if you're generally familiar with the RS Means books, and you know it's up to date. Cons You must have an internet connection, but this isn't much of an issue most of the time. Review Source CI Carla I. Architect Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great Value" November 2, 2018 4.0 Pros Ease of use. Current pricing. Great descriptions. Cons Nothing, quite honestly. I would love it to be a little more affordable. Review Source CK Con K. Member Construction Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Comprehensive and detailed construction costs" July 2, 2019 5.0 I am solving the necessity of calling around to vendors and subcontractors to get updated pricing. Pros I like the quarterly updates and the ability to calculate local costs factors Cons Getting specific cost reports is cumbersome 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.