Using the Square Foot Estimator in RSMeans Data Online

A square foot model is a collection of assembly costs that comes together to make up a building model. The Square Foot Estimator allows an RSMeans Data Online user to create and edit conceptual estimates quickly based on our extensive library of pre-built models.  Square foot models are available for commercial and residential new construction as well as commercial renovation projects.

Here are quick steps for creating a square estimate in RSMeans Data Online.

1. Click Square Foot Estimate  in the Square Foot Estimator tab
2. Fill in the required header information fields and select/confirm your cost data preferences.
3. In Step 1 select the building type and wall/framing type for the estimate (e.g., Apartment 1-3 Story – Brick Veneer / Wood Frame).
4. In Step 2 select the building parameters for the estimate (e.g., Area, Perimeter, Stories, Story Height, etc.).
5. Step 3 allows for the options selection of building additives. (Hint: Check the Quick View first).
6. Create and review the Square Foot Cost Estimator Report.
7. If necessary, utilize the customization tools to refine the estimate.
8. Print and/or export the estimate.
9. Save the square foot estimate.

There are three ways to create a new square foot estimate:

1. On the Square Foot Estimator tab. This is the easiest and most common method.
2. From the Manage Estimates tab,click Create New Estimate. Be sure that the Cost Data and Type options display Square Foot Models.
3. From the Search Data tab, click Create New Estimate near the bottom of the screen.
4. There are six main sections of the Square Foot Estimator:
   1. The Square Foot Estimator Tool Ribbon
   2. Model Cost Summary
   3. Estimate Header Information
   4. Step 1: Building Type
   5. Step 2: Building Parameters
   6. Step 3: Building Additives (optional)

At the top and bottom of the screen you'll find the Square Foot Estimator Tool ribbon. As you work through your square foot estimate, be sure to save the estimate by clicking the Save Estimate in the tool ribbon.

The Model Cost Summary window displays an updated cost and any changes made to the model as you build the square foot estimate.

In the Estimate Header Information window, you’ll enter the required estimate header information and select/confirm your cost data preferences. Enter the estimate information in this section, including selecting/confirming your cost data preferences.  Only the Estimate Name and Folder are required in this section, but it is recommended to enter as much information about your estimate as possible to keep your estimates organized.

The first selection will be the Building Category. Depending on your dataset and service level (Tier) , you’ll choose either Commercial or Residential. Review the Labor Type, Release and Location Factor fields as these are required. These cost data preferences will default to your account cost data preferences.

NOTE: You’ll be able to update any of these fields as well as enter additional information at any time while working on the estimate.

NOTE: Users on the Complete Plus tier can select a year or quarter up to three years into the future in order to create a square foot model. To use predictive data in your model, select a year and/or quarter from the drop-down.

Select your Building Type and Wall/Framing Type.

The Building Type menu allows you to choose one of the given options, depending on the Building Category selection. The Wall/Framing Type options are a direct result of your Building Type selection. This list is in alphabetical order and does not designate a default Wall/Framing type. When the wall/framing type is changed, the building costs will automatically change, allowing users to compare the costs of different structure types.

Select your Building Parameters.

With the exception of the Include Basement selection, all fields in the Building Parameter window are required and are based on the Building Type previously selected. Defaults values are populated but can be easily modified.

• The Area (S.F.) field allows you to enter a square footage for the building. It is a best  practice  to stay within the given size range as the calculations for the building costs are based on the quantity entered here.
• The Perimeter will automatically update based on the entered Area (S.F.) but can be edited.
• The Stories and Story Height fields are editable and are populated based on the Building Type selection.

You’ll be notified if you enter a quantity outside the suggested range. The system won’t stop you from entering a quantity outside of the suggested range, but keep in mind that the calculations that create the estimate results are based on the suggested ranges of these fields. There is a direct correlation between the accuracy of estimates and these suggested ranges. The closer you adhere to the ranges, the more accurate your estimate will be.

• The Contractor, Architectural and User Fees fields are editable and are also pre-populated based on the Building Type selection.
• The Include Basement selection defaults to No. If you’d like to include a basement in the costs of the building, simply click Yes.

The Building Additives section is optional and allows you to add Additives (appliances to emergency lighting or elevators) to your building.

TIP: Before adding Additives, click Quick View from the tool ribbon to review the current contents of the model to decide if and which additives are necessary.

Simply click into the Quantity field of the additive that you want to include in your building cost and enter the desired quantity for that additive. To ensure that your additives are included in the estimate, click anywhere outside the Quantity field. You will see the total for your additives appear to the right in the Total column.

When you’ve completed each section (additives are optional), be sure to click Calculate Building Cost to calculate or recalculate your estimate.

Remember to do so after making any changes to the estimate preferences (e.g., Location, Release, etc.) or adding additives.

The Square Foot Cost Estimator Report displays the building cost summary and the collection of Assembly Costs that comprise the building model. You have options to view, print and/or export the report.

Once you have created your square foot estimate, click Customize/View Report.

The Square Foot Cost Estimator Report will appear. The report will display a breakdown of the Assembly Costs included in the model along with a cost per S.F. and a total building cost.

To return to your estimate from the Square Foot Cost Estimate Report window, click Return To Square Foot Estimator in the top left corner of the report window.

Printing the Square Foot Cost Estimator Report creates an Adobe PDF file of the report. To print the report, click Print in the tool ribbon (pop-ups must be allowed in your browser).

The PDF will be generated and downloaded to your computer (or your browser will give you options to open or save the file). If you select to open the file, the PDF opens using your default PDF reader. Remember to save this file before closing it.

Square Foot Estimator allows you to export the Square Foot Estimate Report to Microsoft Excel. However, unlike the Construction Estimator, the Square Foot Estimate Report spreadsheet will not contain formulas.

To export your Square Foot Cost Estimator Report to an Excel spreadsheet, click Export To Excel in the tool ribbon.

The Excel file will be generated and downloaded to your computer (or your browser will give you options to open or save the file). If you choose to save the file, you’ll need to select a destination. If you choose to open the file, it will open in Excel. As with printing, remember to save this file before closing it.

NOTE: for Complete Plus users:  If you included predictive data as part of your model, the data will be present within the PDF report or Excel spreadsheet.

Square foot models are collections of assembly costs. The pre-populated assemblies that make up a square foot estimate are customizable based on user preference or requirements.

Follow these steps to customize a square foot estimate:  
On the Square Foot Estimator page, click the Customize/View Report button.

On the Square Foot Cost Estimator Report page, there are options for adding, swapping and removing assemblies.

On the Square Foot Estimator page, click Customize/View Report.

From the Square Foot Cost Estimator Report, select the assembly that most closely matches that assembly you want to add to the model.

Click Add Assembly.

Use the search feature to locate the desired assembly cost. Once you've found it, click either the line number or description to select it.

Enter the quantity for the new assembly in the given field and click Confirm.

Confirm that the assembly has been added to the report. On Commercial New Construction estimates, added assemblies will display a ⊕ icon so that you can easily distinguish them from the other assemblies.

To return to your estimate from the Square Foot Cost Estimate Report window, click Return To Square Foot Estimator in the top left corner of the report window.

On the Square Foot Estimator page, click Customize/View Report.

From the Square Foot Cost Estimator Report, select the assembly you want to swap.

Once selected, click Swap Assembly.

Use the search field or scroll through the given results to locate the line item you want to swap within the assembly. Once you've selected an assembly to swap, click Confirm.

A confirmation window will appear, allowing you to enter a new quantity or enter a percentage of the original item. Doing the latter will leave the remaining quantity in the original assembly. Once you're ready to continue, click Yes, Swap these Assemblies.

Confirm that the assembly has been swapped on the report. On Commercial New Construction estimates, swapped assemblies will display an icon (Fully Swapped) or an icon (Partially Swapped) so that you can easily distinguish them from other assemblies.

To return to your estimate from the Square Foot Cost Estimate Report window, click Return To Square Foot Estimator in the top left corner of the report window.

NOTE: Changing a Building Parameter within your square foot estimate will not update any swapped assemblies due to business calculation rules. For a Commercial New Construction estimate, use the ⊕ icons as reminders to check your swapped assemblies for any updates that need to be made based on your changes to Building Parameters.

On the Square Foot Estimator page, click Customize/View Report.

From the Square Foot Cost Estimator Report, select the assembly you want to remove from the model. Once selected, click Remove Assembly.

A confirmation window will appear. Click Yes to remove the assembly. The assembly will be removed from the report.

To return to your estimate from the Square Foot Cost Estimate Report window, click Return To Square Foot Estimator in the top left corner of the report window.