2008 Cost Data

[Alan Gertner]

I completed my upgrade from the NBC 2007 -> 2008 cost data. The upgrade took a little longer this time due to changes and additions to the cost data. Several interesting revelations were made during the upgrade:

- Dramatic increase in costs, over 100% in some cases. The high end cost increases were much more than the low end costs increases.

- The Quality classes were redefined and 3 new upper end classes were added.

- Larger GLA categories were added to the cost tables.

- Manuf Home cost data was added.

- You MUST have user defined cost modifiers available to make this (and most other) cost data work for many properties.

Total time to update the cost data in my integrated system: 1/2 day

Total expense for cost data in 2008: $25 for book + 1/2 day time

Value of cost data knowledge/usage obtained during the update: Eye opening.

bueno suerto.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I noticed the changes in NBC and am thinking about dropping my NADA MH book. It hardly pays for itself in the lines that I appraise anyway. And it is up to $170 a year now.

 

[Tom Woolford]

NBC? I've just always used Marshall and Swift but I'm open to a lower cost alternative. Just what is NBC.

 

[TSBailey]

NBC? I've just always used Marshall and Swift but I'm open to a lower cost alternative. Just what is NBC.

What he said

 

[Jason Barber]

I believe it's the 2008 National Building Cost Manual

I've never used it either... but would be curious to hear others opinons on reliability vs Blue Book or Marshall & Swift???

 

[Alan Gertner]

http://craftsman-book.com/products/...64c1bfad8bb9852b404&cPath=31&products_id=419&

The eBook pdf download version is available for $16.50.

As identified earlier, you can create your own cost estimator utility using NBC or other cost data. Plug the cost data into your favorite table lookup utility and customize the cost report and human interface however you like.

bueno suerto.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I have used these for over 5 years. I find that it as reliable as M & S.
I also use the Means Residential SF Cost book which runs slightly higher and only contains residential property. I check each against the other and find I really prefer NBC although both usually arrive at roughly the same price.
Means is owned by Reed Construction which has been doing cost data since the 1940's. According to a personal propery / building appraiser I know (insurance adjuster) he was taught that NBC and Means rely upon the same databases that M & S do. The difference is in the way the different outfits manipulate the data.