The cost rank, or quality of construction, determines the level of the calculated costs. You must enter a cost rank for each occupancy entered in the occupancy grid. In addition, you can change the rank for each component entered in the component grid.
The four basic cost ranks are:
Low (Rank 1) - These tend to be very plain buildings that conform to minimum building code requirements. Interiors are plain with little attention given to detail or finish. Typically, there are minimum mechanical and low-cost finishes throughout.
Average (Rank 2) - These buildings are the most common and meet building code requirements. There is some ornamentation on the exterior with interiors having some trim items. Lighting and plumbing are adequate to service the occupants of the building.
Good (Rank 3) - These are generally well-designed buildings. Exterior walls usually have a mix of ornamental finishes. Interior walls are nicely finished and there are good quality floor covers. Lighting and plumbing include better quality fixtures.
Excellent (Rank 4) - Usually, these buildings are specially designed, have high-cost materials and exhibit excellent workmanship. Both exteriors and interiors have custom and ornamental features. Lighting and plumbing include high-cost fixtures.
In addition to the four basic ranks, you can enter ranks down to 0.5 and up to 5. Also, you can enter a cost rank between two rank numbers (e.g., 2.5 for a quality between average and good).
Buildings must be compared for quality within the occupancy listed. Industrial buildings must be compared with other industrial buildings. Lofts cannot be compared with offices, and all types must be considered in the light of what is built nationally. Many localities will never have an Excellent quality building. In some localities it will be difficult to build a Low-cost building for some occupancies because of code requirements and land costs.
It is usually true that a well-framed building is a well-finished building. If the builder cuts corners on his framing, he will probably also cut corners on his finish and mechanical equipment. Cheap hardware, lighting fixtures, and millwork may be very ornamental, while, for example, the structure of a model home may be scarcely strong enough to support its beautiful tile roof; therefore, the estimator must have some idea of comparative quality of components and the occupancy as a whole.