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RSMeans Electrical Cost Data 2010

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Updated annually, RS Means Electrical Cost Data (MECD) is intended as a resource for those in the electrical trades, or engineering and planning fields, for use in the preparation of cost estimates. Such estimates might be used for bidding, budgeting or planning. The MECD can be very valuable because reliable data about material, equipment, and construction labor costs, are often hard to find, even utilizing the internet.

For most contractors, preparing an accurate bid that wins a job, is one of the keys to profitability. A company that isn't successful in competitive bidding, may not be in business very long. Means publishes cost databooks for various trades, and the MECD is probably one of the key pricing resources in the electrical industry. If the information in the book helps you to prepare even one winning bid, the amount paid for the MECD would be more than justified.

Coverage of the electrical industry is broad and quite detailed. Some of the basic electrical items covered include transformers, switchboards, panelboards, controls, lighting, wiring, conduit, communications systems, security systems, and some site work items. While the bulk of the book is devoted to electrical items, the MECD also covers some tasks in related fields, including Concrete, Metals, Wood Plastics and Composites, Equipment, Earthwork, Fire Suppression, Plumbing, and Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning.

Means' method of breaking down tasks is usually very detailed, with some thought given to how the work is anticipated to be done, how many workers will be required, and when appropriate, what equipment or additional items may be required to complete the task. Obviously Means cannot cover every item, task, or situation, but they generally do attempt to be quite thorough and detailed.

The MECD is intended to be used as a guide. It is up to the estimator to review the information found in the MECD, and determine if it is appropriate for the particular project being priced. If the assumptions Means makes about how a task will be done are not valid, the estimator must make any necessary adjustments. In addition, any number of factors can affect costs. These might include things like location, wages rates, overtime, special circumstances, equipment costs, subcontractor costs, unusual conditions, testing requirements, required safety measures, regulatory compliance, union rules, and available manpower.

Good cost estimating is often a mixture of experience, knowledge, skill, interpretation, and often a little luck, as making assumptions almost always plays a role. Most estimators strive to be accurate, however the results of competitive bidding can often be surprising, and an accurate estimate may not be the low bid. The information found in Means may or may not be accurate for your particular project, but at least it provides the estimator with some baseline or reference point for many basic electrical tasks. Often time is in short supply when preparing a bid, so anything that can help you prepare your estimate faster, becomes even more valuable.