North America’s leading

construction cost database

History
Robert Snow Means was a Civil Engineer who kept meticulous notes of construction costs in a series of
leather-bound books. In the early 1940s, peers took notice of the thorough tracking and offered to buy
his “cost books.”

The first books were created by hand at Robert’s kitchen table with help from his wife. Each book
detailed material, equipment and labor costs. Robert quickly outgrew this home operation and started
the R.S. Means Company.

Gordian Gordian developed

purchased RSMeans data
RSMeans Predictive Analytics

RSMeans Data Gordian created

Online was RSMeans
launched data API
Today
RSMeans data has progressed from handwritten cost books to the most comprehensive construction cost
database in North America. More than 22,000 hours are invested in cost research each year. Our Cost
Engineers apply their skill and expertise to validate each line item and work closely with Data Scientists
to develop the formulas and algorithms to ensure accuracy, completeness and usability.

Actively monitored data points fueling our database:

55,000+ 35 638 970+

Materials Trades Equipment Locations
Types

The Future
RSMeans data is evolving every day. As the strength of the database grows, the analysis becomes more
insightful. Leveraging advanced algorithms, the construction of tomorrow will be powered by RSMeans
data from Gordian.
How the Database is Built
Construction costs are comprised of material, labor and/or equipment prices and can be referenced at
the unit, assembly or square foot level of detail.

Material Labor Equipment Costs

Unit Assembly SqFt Model

Ex: Brick Ex: Brick Wall Ex: Brick Building
How the Database is Used
Planning
From capital planning to small-scale
budgeting, RSMeans data can be
utilized for creating or operating within
a budget and making plans based on
local, historical or future factors.
Validating
RSMeans data can be referenced as a
benchmark and accredited source for
endorsed rates, prices and calculations.
Estimating
Be it the price of a single brick to the
cost of an entire building, estimates
through RSMeans data provide the
exact level of detail to satisfy your
needs.
Maintaining
RSMeans data provides the continued
cost and upkeep throughout the
facility’s or infrastructure’s entire
lifecycle.
About
Gordian is the world’s leading provider of facility and
construction cost data, software and services for all
phases of the building lifecycle. A pioneer of Job Order
Contracting (JOC), Gordian’s solutions also include
our proprietary RSMeans data and Sightlines facility
benchmarking and analysis. From planning to design,
procurement, construction and operations, Gordian’s
solutions help clients maximize efficiency, optimize cost
savings and increase building quality.

For more information, visit rsmeans.com or gordian.com

© 2018 The Gordian Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.