No comments about The Home Remodeling Organizer.

3 comments about Electrical Estimating Methods (Means Electrical Estimating, 2nd ed).

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



2. 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



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

2 comments about Estimating With Timberline Precision Version 5.2.

1. 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.




2. 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.

No comments about How to Estimate Building Losses and Construction Costs.

1 comments about Mechanical Cost Data 2002 (Means Mechanical Cost Data, 2002).

1. As many HVAC estimators apparently know, this book has cost data for just about every mechanical system you can imagine. While the book would be overkill for most folks, those who are considering significant home remodeling projects may find it worthwhile as a way to fairly evaluate bids. A certain amount of time and knowledge is required to figure out how to use the book, but once you do it's a goldmine. As an example, I used it a week ago to verify a $65,000 quote for a big renovation job a coworker's friend was considering and found out that the heat pump piping was ten times too high - $20,000 versus $2,000! It breaks out materials, labor and profit/overhead so you know exactly what you are getting into. Money well spent, especially if you get last year's edition... so the costs are a little lower - it's a good spot to start bargaining with contractors!

1 comments about Interior Home Improvement Costs: The Practical Pricing Guide for Homeowners & Contractors (Interior Home Improvement Costs).

1. 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.

No comments about Estimating Painting Costs.

1 comments about Basic Estimating for Construction.

1. This book is ok. It can be hard to search for information that you need to in class. I think the book should be broke down more into sub sections.

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

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



2. 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.



3. Purchased as a gift - although I was a little disappointed by the size of the book! Very costly for the amount of information within its contents.

5 comments about Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book.

1. This is like five books in one. I think it's an amazing value. My father used this book for about 40 years and, as a result, I became a disciple of the Walker method. I just picked up the new edition and I found the concrete and masonry chapters vastly improved. It teaches you how to factor in all those variables and to account for the unexpected and how to put together your own bid, something that estimating software has yet to do.



2. This is like five books in one. I think it's an amazing value. My father used this book for about 40 years and, as a result, I became a disciple of the Walker method. I just picked up the new edition and I found the concrete and masonry chapters vastly improved. It teaches you how to factor in all those variables and to account for the unexpected and how to put together your own bid, something that estimating software has yet to do.



3. This book is unique in that it gives you the tools to obtain an accurate cost for your project with its own specific data. Having control over a project, and its BUDGET, depends on how well you know your estimate; and this book will teach you most of what you need to know about estimating.



4. Walker's shows you how to work up a price and customize your bids. It takes some computation of your own (you definitely have to know your local labor costs) but it's definitely worth the effort because Walker's explains how jobs wind up costing a certain amount. A great book for sure.



5. The picture shows ver 26, the text says version 25, and Florida Contractor's License Board says to use version 27. Which are you sending to customers, Amazon. Florida is very specific and Amazon needs to pay attention to details like this. I find same problem with other listed used book vendors who don't state edition or version numbers.