RS MEANS Equivalent - Business opportunity

[architech]

As we know i'm an architect.

And as an architect/ project manager... i will do constuction estimates..

There's this set of books called "RS MEANS"... these books are like a set of encyclopedias...

They have material costs per square foot... and labor costs per square foot...

But the cost of certain materials goes up faster than next set of issued books (RS MEANS) gets published to the public.

and at times... not every material is listed in this very detailed set.


When the books fail...
I have to actual call manufacturers and ask for ball park estimates..
Which they hate to give when there's no real project..

And there's cant be a real project if i dont submit and actual construction cost estimate.. so the client can know what budget to shoot for...

so i have to lie a little to get actual numbers..

and at times... the cost of sheetrock for example is way too low in the book... where i then need to do takes off... and call Home depot ... and ask how many sheet rock panels do i need and how much will cost...
and take that info and do the math that converts all that into...
"cost per square foot"....

and then make another call to contractors to ask about labor costs... and they really dont to talk to about about fantasy projects....


In the end...
I was thinking...
What if someone ... made a web forum...
where the latest...
Material costs & labor for a square foot - were ALWAYS the latest!!!!
:D

Where both Engineers & architects & blue collar contractors could all come and get the same numbers....

and have the numbers broken down into regions of the country or states...

Maybe have the members actively give input to changing costs... so the data base is always current and accurate...

and then have a forum where the same professionals..
help out each other with design details of construction....

I believe those forums are out there.. for the "Do It Yourself"...

but those are limited in help...

This forum would attract the real Pros...
and real construction problems could be asked....

................

so my question is...
Is there such a site .... that i missed with all my googling...
And if not...
Which i believe there is no such site....

Then maybe someone out there cant this idea... and make it real and make some money off it... too! :thumbsup:

[architech]

Another thing to add to this forum would be the current - building codes, energy code, plumbing code, etc etc etc each state uses....

Very Very Very few states have a website that lists this..
Most of the times architect, engineers, and contractors need to call the local township they intend to work in to find out...

and most of the times.. its only one guy.... which the building inspector for the township....

but he only works in his office.... 3times a week... or 2...
and this is because he's the building code inspector for another town ...
and the other days he's not in this office... he's at the other ....

and the reason they work like that.. becuase not everyone builds a new building... everyday... and hence the salary is only 20k a year...
so if he works for 2 or 3 towns.. he's making some good money.. @ 20k a township...

Anyway...
having a list of the current codes from state to state would also help out all architect, engineers and contractors...



Again...
if anyone knows of such a site let me know...
otherwise..
i think... this is would be a nice venture for someone to start... :)
please....