RSMeans data, from Gordian (formerly Costworks) is a construction and estimation software offering acquired by the Gordian Group in 2014. It includes cost books and construction project estimating software tools.
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TurboBid
Score 8.7 out of 10
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TurboBid is a construction and estimation software offering from Advanced Electrical Technologies, Inc.
Well Suited: Construction cost estimates for new larger projects where the construction will start within the next 6-9 months. Budgetary estimates for future buildings through its square foot models. Not Well Suited: Not accurate enough on small projects where labor, travel to sites, and OH&P are a higher percentage of unit costs than on larger projects where these costs are spread out across more units.
It is very adaptable to our business plan. Also, it is very cost-effective than any other software I used while working with previous companies. Also, as previously mentioned it helps a lot with our takeoffs, customers know what the job consists of, and what our costs are, and make it easy to pass on job management items to others.
CostWorks is very good at generating quick and valid estimates for standardized facilities such as office buildings, schools, etc. It allows you to validate other cost estimates at the UniFormat level when doing an estimate validation.
CostWorks' database of detailed line-items is a very resourceful asset when it comes to finding a very specific line-item. Sometimes, when using Success or MII, I will have CostWorks open on the other screen so I can find an item that the other softwares just don't have and build it into the other software from the CostWorks entry.
CostWorks does a very good job of generating reports that are both well-developed and have enough detail at the summary level to be able to sit with a client or a project manager and have them follow along and understand without being overwhelmed with detail and numbers.
I dealt with one individual and the owner. After making me feel stupid for not being able to get an up to date price list from my suppliers, they decided to try. There were unsuccessful as well. The right thing to do would have been to refund my money, but they refused to do that. I was lied to and basically called a liar on many occasions (including in emails). I have never had an experience like this with a company before. Most of the other companies guarantee their products and would refund your money if something was wrong, didn't work or you were unsatisfied. Not this company! They could care less once they have their money.
CostWorks is a unique software for estimating as compared to the other softwares I have listed above. PACES is mostly used for federal modeling and really cannot be compared to Costworks. It has its own developed modeling database and has its own quirkiness and issues. MII has been developed for the USACE and utilized a user-developed folder structure and RS Means Database. I use CostWorks along side this software to find line-items that are not in the MII RS Means Database. Success has been developed for NAVFAC and again, utilizes a user-developed folder structure and RS Means Database. When I use this software, I ALWAYS have CostWorks open on the other screen as Success' RS Means database is extremely lacking when it comes to the number of detail line-items. Timberline is by SAGE and I use it mostly for DOS and FAA work. Of the 3 RS Means Database softwares, this one has the most detailed database for reference, however, there are times when I do have to look up an item that Timberline does not have and the first software I open is CostWorks.
We selected TurboBid because it was very cost-effective. The adaptability to use this program is also very easy and guidable. The database has a very large capacity. Along with the accuracy of the program as well. As you can see there are many reasons to go with TurboBid as it delivers to the contractors with ease.
I don't really see any "negative" impacts on my business or my ROI by purchasing CostWorks. It's a valuable tool that we use, however, some of my colleagues do not use it or use it very infrequently.
I find it well worth the cost even though we don't develop complete estimates in CostWorks due to client dictated softwares.
It has provided very quickly-built estimating models that let our team and project managers know that the RFP or the task that they are contemplating bidding on or starting to work on is actually feasible to construction given the budget and directive.
