Crew Cost and Productivity Performance Benchmarking Based on Commercial Cost Estimating Databases

Benchmarks of crew cost and productivity performance for commonly used methods in the construction industry are readily accessible through industry-wide commercial estimating databases (such as RS Means). The objective of this study is to identify limitations of commercial benchmarking services and further propose a framework for benchmarking crew cost and productivity performance over several years and in different cities. The proposed framework is applied to a typical open-cut method, illustrated with data retrieved from RS Means online databases. In particular, the data structure of RS Means is explained, and the drawback of the underlying productivity benchmarking methodology is revealed. We conclude crew cost data ($/labor-hour) from RS Means can be used to trend the changes of time and location-specific crew and material costs in a reliable way, while productivity (daily or hourly production: unit/h) accounts for the industry average only, ignoring theunique variations and attributes of crews, jobs, contractors, or projects.