Estimating Books

F.R. Walker's Remodeling Reference Book: A Guide for Accurate Remodeling Cost Estimates for Construction Professionals and Homeowners

Harry Hardenbrook

Amazon Price: $29.95 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: F.R. Walker Co Amazon Marketplace: 11 new & used starting at $23.66

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Home Design -> Remodeling & Renovation -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> How-to & Home Improvements -> Estimating

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Very Useful 5 out of 5 stars.
21 of 40 people found this review helpful.

It is easy to follow and full of useful information. Well written and organized, too.

Great information dated costs 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This bookl is very helpful to anyone remodeling and reroofing. The absolute cost data rea dated and thus need to be revised in practice but his ratios and productivity figures are excellent.

Editorial Review:

A comphrensive guide to estimating remodeling jobs from the construction industry's leading publisher since 1915. Approaches remodeling estimates step by step-- figuring the labor costs to remove old installations; figuring the amount of material needed for new installations; and estimating the labor costs to complete such installations. With quick reference cost tables, this book is a must for everyone involved in remodeling; and it's useful for homeowners who intend to oversee projects on their residences. It contains 17 chapters covering interior and exterior residential remodeling. You get detailed information on: Kitchens; Baths; Room Conversions; Decks and Porches; Stairways and Flooring; Interior and Exterior Painting; Electrical; Roofing and Siding; Windows and Doors and more.

Means Square Foot Costs, 1992

R S Means Company

List Price: $84.95 By: R.S. Means Company Amazon Marketplace: 4 new & used starting at $15.00

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Subjects -> Professional & Technical -> Engineering -> Civil -> Construction -> General

Means Square Foot Costs: 1994 (Means Square Foot Costs)

R S Means Company

List Price: $91.95 By: Robert S Means Co Amazon Marketplace: 1 new & used starting at $11.55

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> How-to & Home Improvements -> Reference

How to Estimate Building Losses and Construction Costs

Paul I. Thomas

List Price: $67.00 By: Prentice Hall Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $3.81

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Subjects -> Business & Investing -> Management & Leadership -> Management

Interior Home Improvement Costs: The Practical Pricing Guide for Homeowners & Contractors (Interior Home Improvement Costs)

List Price: $19.95 By: Robert S Means Co Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $0.47

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 2.0 of 5

Enticing Start--Costly Finish? 2 out of 5 stars.
64 of 65 people found this review helpful.

RSMeans is a well known name in construction--so well known that I expected much better from this book. Here are some pros and cons of this edition:
Pros:
You can get a very quick idea of what a broad range of projects will cost. Project costs are itemized in some detail: how much material and how much labor are required for specific size projects. Descriptions also include discussions of project quality differences and of what parts a DIY-er might reasonably complete. As a first pass in cost and time estimating this is very helpful information. Additionally, the book provides regional factors for adjusting project costs to local conditions. Also very helpful.
But on moving beyond the first pass of estimating, the book falls short in the following ways:
First, and most annoying, there is no discussion of labor costs by trade. Wallpaper hangers don't make the same as tile layers who don't make the same as plumbers. Thus, there is no way to estimate what you would really save using paint instead of wallpaper. You could estimate your savings based on the project's average hourly labor charge but this will be wildly misleading. And the average charge is the only number you can calculate from the project sheets because you are given only labor hours--not labor costs.
Second, project details aren't consistent: bathroom projects include line items for electric outlets, switches, and lights. Kitchens do not. Lighting is a major element in good kitchen design. Where are these costs?
Third, there is no discussion of demolition costs: What does it cost to rip out your old kitchen or bath before installing the new one? Similarly, it's not clear whether project costs listed for plumbing are for relocating drains or simply hooking up to existing locations. This can be a major cost factor.
Why do these "cons" matter? Remodeling an island kitchen can cost $16,653 (p.127) or the same size kitchen remodel can cost $36,050 (p.129). This isn't a trivial difference. If you are trying to determine whether your proposed project is closer to $16k then $36k, you need better information than RSMeans provides. Differences in material choices often mean differences in labor hours. So just adjusting your material choices in hopes of controlling your costs could be very misleading.
RSMeans could improve this book significantly by
1. adding more and better detailed tables of information on "Alternate Materials" (see p. 121), including labor hours & costs and many more interior finish materials,
2. adding a table of hourly labor costs by trade and discuss the contractor's role and fee in more detail,
3. improving the consistency of the project detail sheets across projects (so that both kitchens and baths would have lighting and electrical outlets),
4. providing users with project worksheets that are consistent with the book's project worksheets.
The bottom line: Use this book for a first pass, but then, if you are a novice (or even if you aren't) get three professional estimates before you start any significant project.

Editorial Review:

Thinking about improving the inside of your home but not sure how much your project will cost? This guide will show you what it will take, including material costs, labor hours, total project costs, and professional tips. Includes 61 projects ranging from kitchens, baths, basement conversions and storage solutions to painting, flooring, electrical, and more. Includes information on how to choose and work with a contractor.

Repair & Remodeling Cost Data, 1999 (Means Repair and Remodeling Cost Data)

R S Means Company

List Price: $79.95 By: Robert S Means Co Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $9.60

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Home Design -> Buildings & Construction

Editorial Review:

The proven guide to estimating renovation and repair projects as easily and accurately as new construction projects. This book simplifies planning, budgeting, and estimating a range of renovation tasks such as, interior gutting, roof slate replacement, demolition, material handling and storage, lead paint removal and more.

Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book

Frank R. Walker Co.

List Price: $69.95 By: Frank R Walker Amazon Marketplace: 11 new & used starting at $24.69

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A guide to estimating material and labor costs, the Walker Building Estimator's Reference Book is renowned for the depth of detail and description contained in its 1,728 pages, providing the user a reference that is unique among books relating to estimating.

Updated continuously since 1915, this hands-on manual covers updated construction methods, material and labor costs and labor productivity (man-hours). It walks you through each phase of the estimate in each CSI Division, 1 to 16. It also contains valuable information on construction finance, scheduling, construction management, bidding, negotiating contracts, value engineering, types of cost estimates, overhead, insurance, profit, change orders, and more.

It is this level of substance that makes "Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book" a standard in the curriculum of dozens of universities' construction programs.

Used by builders, contractors, architects, engineers, adjusters, appraisers, home-craftsmen, colleges, universities and technical schools. It is also mandated reference for the State of Florida General License Examination, in addition to 16 states which license contractors on the basis of competency exams.

Accepted in many courts as industry-normative data for construction dispute resolution. (1,728 pages, CSI format)

Exterior Home Improvement Costs: The Practical Pricing Guide for Homeowners & Contractors (Exterior Home Improvement Costs)

List Price: $19.95 By: Robert S Means Co Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Get the new eddition 1 out of 5 stars.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I saw this book in the store and decided to see if I could get it cheaper on Amazon. When I pulled up the page, the cover was the same as the one in the store. I didn't know it was an old eddition with outdated figures until it arrived in the mail. I went back to the page I bought it on and then noticed the disclaimer for the pictures being from the newer eddition. The newer book has different projects and more current prices.

Editorial Review:

Professional Cost Estimates for the Most Popular Remodeling and Repair Projects

Find out what your home improvement projects are likely to cost--up-front. Know how much you can expect to spend if you hire a contractor, and how much you can save if you do part or all of the work yourself.

Get up-to-date costs for your location on projects like these...
Room Additions and Garages
Windows, Doors, and Skylights
Decks, Pergolas, Paving, and Patios
Painting, Siding, and Roofs
Walls, Fences, and Porches
Landscaping and Driveways

Find out what materials are needed and how much they will cost, how long the work will take for a professional and for a do-it-yourselfer, and how much a contractor is likely to charge for the project.

Includes a handy checklist for selecting and pricing materials, and guidance for working with a contractor.

Electrical Estimating Methods (Means Electrical Estimating, 2nd ed)

R S Means Company

List Price: $64.95 By: R.S. Means Company Amazon Marketplace: 9 new & used starting at $19.80

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

What a starter 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This is definitly a must have book for a begining or a seasoned estimator.

electrical estimating methods 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The printing is soooo poor that it strained the eyes.I rang the printers in America and was treated like some rubbish. No wonder people hate americans. The people from RSMeans Publishers Reed Construction data Tel 781 422 5000 were so horrible and didnt have any sense of talking to a customer. i was disgusted and ashmed of even ringing the americans to complain about the typeset which is very very light. and very difficult for the eyes. I paid $55 plus 10 postage i am shocked completely. And after talking to the these people i will make sure that i will never travel to the USA and stay away from everything American. especially books.
many thanks
navin sohanpal

WONDERFUL! Just what we needed! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The book was recieved VERY promptly, and just in time for us to study up for our renewal certification. Thank you!

Editorial Review:

This "companion" reference to Means Electrical Cost Data has been updated and expanded in keeping with the latest versions of CSI MasterFormat and Means Cost Data. The book also includes electrical systems.

Estimating With Timberline Precision Version 5.2

Mark Reich, Jud Youell

List Price: $71.95 By: Delmar Pub Amazon Marketplace: 2 new & used starting at $77.69

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent guide 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

It is almost impossible to learn the full power of the Timberline Precision Estimating programs by studing the Timberline manuals. It's like trying to learn a foreign language with only a pocket dictionary. This book walks you through the concepts and structure of the program, so that the various pieces form a logical whole. You learn to exploit the power of the program, rather than curse the complexity. The chapters on work packages, and especially the "intelligent work packages" are worth ten times the purchase price.

I highly recommend this book for any student of Timberline Estimating. I hope Mark Reich and Jud Youell are working on an updated version for the latest Timberline Estimating "windows" products.

Exceptional even applies to newer versions 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I can't emphasize how true the previous reviewer's statement that "It is almost impossible to learn the full power of the Timberline Precision Estimating programs by studing the Timberline manuals. It's like trying to learn a foreign language with only a pocket dictionary. This book walks you through the concepts and structure of the program, so that the various pieces form a logical whole."

I would add that it has more indepth coverage than the training and users manuals.

Although this book only applies to the older DOS versions, I have found it invavluable to newer Windows 6.1 and 6.5 versions. In particular, how to organize and structure databases and assemblies. How grouping and sorting functions work for report. How to create smart assemblies. I just wish the authors would update this book for the newer Windows versions.