4BT Open Cost Construction Cost Data

4BT Construction Cost Data Capabilities Statement

4BT OpenCOST^TM Construction Cost Data
The premier independent, transparent, and trusted source for locally researched, detailed line-item renovation, repair, and construction cost data.

Data-driven Predictions Drive Successful Outcomes

Why Choose 4BT OpenCOST^TM Construction Cost Data?

• Uniform communication among staff and service providers
• Shared goals and clear project vision
• Informed decision-making through reliable data
• Risk management with objective, current, verifiable,granular localized costs
• Operational efficiency in estimating and planning

While national average construction cost books (even with localization factors) offer a broad reference, only locally researched labor, material, and equipment costs provide truly actionable and defensible information. Relying on localization factors or cost indexes can introduce significant errors in line-item cost estimating. (See References below)

The 4BT OpenCOST^TM Advantage

• Over 90,000+ detailed unit line items for renovation, repair, maintenance, and construction.
• Preventative maintenance cost data also available – current, local market, associated checklists, frequency-based
• Locally researched costs for labor, material, and equipment.
• Developed and maintained by experienced professionals with decades of cost engineering expertise, including past roles at RSMeans, 4Clicks Solutions, U.S. Cost, and VFA, Inc.
• A solution designed to meet the needs of today’s construction industry, filling a critical gap in objective, current, verifiable detailed line-item pricing based upon local markets.

Flexible and Accessible 4BT OpenCOST^TM data is available via the cloud and integrated with:

• 4BT-CE Cloud Cost Estimating Module
• 4BT Building Construction Estimator

Request More Information Contact us at info@4BT.US to learn more and request our detailed 20-page white paper.

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4BT OpenCOST^TM Methodology & Value Proposition

• Independent, Objective, and Defensible Data: Current locally researched construction cost data ensures precision and reliability, taking into account major local variances in trades labor costs, materials, site access, and more.
• Proven Approach: Our methodology produces unit price cost data equivalent to, or superior to, any other industry resource available.
• Experienced Team: With a legacy of decades of cost data research, project management, and JOC programs in the U.S., our team applies deep cost engineering expertise to set a new industry standard.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Our data serves commercial renovation, repair,maintenance, new construction, and Job Order Contracting projects.
• Cost-Effective and Viable: 4BT OpenCOST^TM is not only the most cost-effective solution but also the only credible alternative to offerings from RSMeans and The Gordian Group.

Detailed and Practical Cost Data Our database comprises up to 90,000-unit price line items, covering:

• Labor, material, and equipment details
• Demolition tasks
• Line-item modifiers for tailored cost adjustments

Unlike vendors promoting overly large datasets, our streamlined approach prevents inefficiencies, learning delays, and errors. When unique or custom tasks are required, our team responds promptly with additional data.

Clear and Consistent Data Organization

• Demolition line items are clearly organized by section.
• Line-item descriptions use industry-standard terms, avoiding unnecessary abbreviations.
• CSI MasterFormat Data Structure: All line items are structured according to CSI MasterFormat divisions and levels for ease of navigation and maintenance.
• Line-item modifiers: Associated with parent line items, modifiers allow for precise cost adjustments. For example, a parent line item such as “Installed 30 Ounce Commercial Grade Carpet” can have modifiers like “Borders and Patterns” added, ensuring accurate and detailed estimates, or costs based upon quantities required.

No Reliance on Price Factors Using price factors can result in significant errors for line-item estimating. Instead, 4BT conducts meticulous local research across cities, counties, and regions, ensuring accurate delivery of labor, material, and equipment costs.

• Labor Rates: Our labor rates are based on prevailing and/or Davis-Bacon wage rates, providing up to 30%-40%+ greater accuracy compared to other databases.

Ongoing Updates Our data is continuously refined, with major updates released annually.

Dedicated Cost Engineering Team Our in-house cost engineering staff focuses exclusively on construction cost research, supplemented by external consultants as needed. We support clients with:

• Financial transparency
• Local research
• Current, actionable data
• Training and technical support from seasoned cost estimators and project managers.

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Key Features of 4BT OpenCOST^TM Construction Cost Data

• Locally researched labor, material, and equipment line items
• Clear, detailed line-item descriptions using standard industry terms
• CSI MasterFormat data architecture
• Coverage of 90% of routine renovation, repair, maintenance and new construction tasks
• Demolition line items organized by section
• Line-item modifiers for precise cost customization
• Regular updates, with major revisions annually
• Independence and objectivity in cost research
• Prevailing wage/Davis-Bacon labor rates for accuracy
• Comprehensive support and training for cost estimators and project managers

For precise, reliable, and actionable construction cost data, choose 4BT OpenCOST^TM—the trusted solution for informed decision-making and efficient project delivery.

 

 

While “national average” construction cost books (even with localization factors) provide some basic reference value…  only locally researched labor, material, and equipment costs provide actionable, defensible information.

 

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4BT OpenCOST^TM construction cost data provides 90,000+ detailed unit line items of actionable and defensible renovation, repair, and construction information.

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4BT OpenCOST Cost Data is available via the Cloud and comes with the 4BT-CE Cloud Cost Estimating Module, or 4BT Building Construction Estimator.

Contact us today to learn more and request the 20-page WHITE PAPER… info@4BT.US

  4BT OpenCOST^TM Approach & Value

Independent, Objective, & Defensible Locally Researched Construction Cost Data!

 

1. 4BT construction cost data is easy to use and clearly reflects commonly encountered renovation and repair construction tasks across a diverse portfolio of buildings and physical infrastructure.  It is comprised of up to 90,000-unit price line items/construction tasks, including labor, material, equipment detail, demolition line items, and line-item modifiers.
2. While some vendors market hundreds of thousands of line items, our experience has shown that this is excessive and inefficient. Having too many line items contributes to learning delays, errors, and miscommunication.
3. In situations where additional and/or unique/custom construction task line items are required, our team can provide a timely response.
4. Demolition line items are organized by Section and found at the beginning of each Section.
5. All line items include consistently formatted and clear descriptions for each line item in industry standard common terms that all parties can easily understand.  Abbreviations are avoided whenever possible.
6. Additional labor, material, and equipment details are provided where appropriate.
7. Line items are organized at multiple levels.  All line items are based upon CSI MasterFormat and organized by MasterFormant Divisions and levels.   This allows for simple navigation as well as efficient database updating and maintenance.   CSI Masterformat (registered trademark of The Construction Specifications Institute) is the North American standard data format for organizing unit price cost data.
8. Line-item modifiers are provided and associated with “parent” line items.    Our cloud software clearly notes the number of available modifiers per parent line item as well as providing a simple interface to add or remove modifiers estimates.   An example of a parent line item would be “Installed 30 Ounce Commercial Grade Carpet – Tufted Loop – Heavy Traffic – Total Cost $30.00/SY” with associated line items for demolition and installation.   Associated with the parent line item may be one or multiple modifiers that add or deduct a cost to the parent line item.  As an example, a modifier for this line item might be “Borders and Patters – $2.50/SY”.   In this case, an additional cost of $2.50/SY would be selected and applied to the parent line item and shown in the associated estimate report with the total cost of $32.50/SY.
9. As noted, 4BT does not use price factors as this approach can introduce gross errors for certain UPB line items.  We locally research cities, counties, and regions to assure delivery of the best possible unit price book with respect to labor, material, and equipment costs.  Logical regional areas can also be created for remote and/or “like” areas.   Labor rates are painstakingly researched and are based prevailing / Davis-Bacon wage rates.  When compared to other labor rates contained within the most widely known cost databases, we estimate that 4BT OPENcost delivers 30% greater accuracy compared to other cost databases.  This is significant as labor averages 60% of total construction costs.
10. 4BT OpenCost construction cost data is constantly being updated; however, major updates are provided annually.
11. Cost Engineering Staff – Our dedicated cost team focus exclusively upon construction cost research, while we also have external cost consultants and resources staff on an as needed basis.
12. We support our clients, provide financial transparency, conduct local research, and deliver current, actionable data.  Common terms and standardized data organization are requisite elements always used.

 

 

References:

The limitations of using nationally aggregated construction cost data like RSMeans for estimating project costs are highlighted below, noting that data of this type may not reflect local material prices and may not account for various factors like local building codes, climate conditions, and labor factors, resulting in inaccurate cost estimations when applied to specific projects.

• “Location factors are used during preliminary project evaluations. They are not intended to be used when preparing appropriation-quality estimates. They often are applied to conceptual estimates for identifying “go/no-go” projects at an early stage.”

(Peitlock, B.A., ccc, Developing Location Factors Using a Factoring Method, International Cost Engineering Council, ICEC International Cost   Management Journal (ICMJ), 1998.)

• Location factors are primarily used in class 4 and 5 estimates and are not intended to be used for higher quality estimates, such as class 3, 2, or 1. The RSMeans city cost index (CCI) and the Department of Defense area cost factor (ACF) index are two primary examples of location factor publications.

(Martinez, A., Validation of methods for adjusting construction cost estimates by project location , University of New Mexico UNM   Digital Repository, 2010)

• “Despite its potential weaknesses, estimation by adjustment factors is a very common approach for all types of construction. A very common approach for performing quick-order-of-magnitude estimates is based on using Location Cost Adjustment Factors (LCAFs). The accuracy of cost estimates in the early phases varies within an expected range that spans from -100% to +200% ” “Using the results of this study, various commercial entities (e.g., RS Means) could enhance their online tools by uploading publicly available socio-economic variables and allowing users to perform geostatistical analysis. As a result, a cost engineer could input the location of a project and obtain the most accurate location adjustment factor through a mix of interpolation and geostatistical prediction techniques.”

  (Migliaccio, G., Empirical Assessment of Spatial Prediction Methods for Location Cost Adjustment Factors, J Constr EngManag. 2013)

• “Problems within the methodology, unfortunately, will continue to arise as standardized estimation tools (CCI) simply cannot account for the unique characteristics of individual states. Unfortunately, the accuracy of program-wide CCIs occasionally led to swings of ±20 percent after projects had gone through the bidding process. Additionally, no direct application of market or economic conditions existed in this conventional CCI process, which was theorized by FHWA to potentially be a significant influence on resulting project estimate accuracy. ”

(University of Colorado Denver College of Engineering and Applied Science Department of Civil Engineering, Validation of Project-level   Construction Cost Index Estimation Methodology, 2017

• In the United States, RSMeans and other published construction cost data are useful for estimating the overall cost of a project. However, these are typically nationally aggregated mean costs and intended to be used with a local multiplier. Prior studies have found that locally adjusted RSMeans costs vary from actual local material prices. For example, Estes (2016) found that for a slab-on-grade foundation assembly with 0.1 m (4 inches) thick slab, vapour barrier and welded wire fabric in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, concrete was found to be underestimated by 18% and vapour barrier by as much as 67%. Additionally, assembly costs for 0.1 m (4 inches) thick concrete slab were found to differ significantly (p = 0.004, α = 0.05) when comparing locally sourced costs and adjusted RSMeans cost data (Estes, 2016). Published cost data also lack accuracy due to the type and manner of data collected and represented. For example, RSMeans data do not account for variations caused by local codes, productivity rates, climate conditions, labour quality and availability, or costs related to land prices and permit fees (Ontario Construction Secretariat, 2001).

(Kodavatiganti Y, Rahim MA, Friedland CJ, Mostafiz RB, Taghinezhad A and Heil S (2023), Material quantities and estimated construction costs for new elevated IRC 2015-compliant single-family home foundations. Front. Built Environ., 21 May 2023
Sec. Construction Management Volume 9 – 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1111563)

 

Note: Gordian/RSMeans City Cost Index is a factor compares materials, labor, and equipment and to a national average of 30 major U.S. cities. Material, labor and equipment prices and quantities are input into “ a composite cost model”, which is weighted to attempt to reflect construction costs.