The Data

Reading Unit Costs Data

This topic is an explanation of the information available for Unit Costs as displayed on the Unit Cost data Cost Books.

Note: dollar amounts in this topic may vary from the current data.

For this example, we have highlighted line number 03 310 240 3900:

1. Division Number/Title

Example: 3 Concrete

Use the dropdown lists at the top of the screen or the Navigation Tree on the left side of the screen to locate data.  The data is classified by divisions in accordance with the CSI MasterFormat (MF95 / 1995 Edition).

2. Line Numbers

Example: 03310 240 3900

Each unit price line item has been assigned a unique 12-digit code based on the CSI MasterFormat classification.

3. Description

Example: "Footings, strip, 18" x 9", unreinforced"

Each line item is described in detail. Sub-items and additional sizes are indented beneath the appropriate line items. The first line or two after the main item (in boldface) may contain descriptive information that pertains to all line items beneath this boldface listing.

4. CostCalc area

This area shows a breakdown of the information available for the cost data line that is currently selected / highlighted.

5. Long Description

Example: "Structural concrete, in place, continuous strip footing, 18" wide x 9" deep, includes forms(4 uses), and finishing"

When a line is selected, its "Long Description" is displayed near the bottom of the screen. When sending information to the CostList, this "Long Description" is the line description that is used.

6. Reference Information

Certain lines have corresponding Reference files.  The relation may be: (1) an estimating procedure that should be read before estimating, (2) an alternate pricing method, or (3) technical information.

When a line has a corresponding reference file, the Means Individual Line Number (the number shown in the first column) will be displayed in blue text.  In the case of our highlighted example, this number shows in yellow.  When there is no corresponding reference file this number will appear in black text.

This image shows systems that have References files available. Note the blue/yellow text as found in the Means Individual Line Number column:

To open this reference file, click on the References icon or double-click on the blue/yellow text in the Means Individual Line Number column.

7. Crew

Example: C14C

The Crew column designates the typical trade or crew used to install the item. If an installation can be accomplished by one trade and requires no power equipment, that trade and the number of workers are listed (example: “2 Carpenters”). If an installation requires a composite crew, a crew code designation is listed (example: “C14C”).

For a complete list of all trades utilized in a title and their abbreviations, see the Labor Rates reference file.

8. Daily Output

Example: 40

The “Daily Output” represents the typical number of units the designated crew will install in a normal 8-hour day. To find out the number of days the given crew would require to complete the installation, divide your quantity by the daily output.

9. Labor Hours

Example: 2.800

The "Labor Hours" figure represents the number of labor-hours required to install one unit of work. To find out the number of labor-hours required for your particular task, multiply the quantity of the item by the number of labor-hours shown.

10.  Unit of Measure

Example:  C.Y. = Cubic Yard

The abbreviated designation indicates the unit of measure upon which the price, production, and crew are based.

11. Bare Materials

Example: 101

The unit material cost is the “bare” material cost with no overhead and profit included. Costs shown include delivery to the job site. No sales taxes are included.

12. Bare Labor

Example: 91.50

The unit labor cost is derived by multiplying bare labor-hour costs for Crew C-14C by labor-hour units.

13. Bare Equip.

Example: .59

Equipment costs for each crew are listed in the description of each crew. Tools or equipment whose value justifies purchase or ownership by a contractor are considered overhead as shown on the inside back cover. The unit equipment cost is derived by multiplying the bare equipment hourly cost by the labor-hour units.

14. Bare Total

The total of the bare costs is the arithmetic total of the three previous columns: mat., labor, and equip.

15. Total Incl. O&P

This figure is the sum of the bare material cost plus 10% for profit; the bare labor cost plus total overhead and profit (per the Labor Rates reference file or, if a crew is listed, from the crew listings); and the bare equipment cost plus 10% for profit.

Related Topics

Rounding Rules