RSMeans material cost info for PVC conduit

[SteamDonkey]

Does anyone know why the material cost for PVC conduit is so high in RSMeans? Their material costs for Sch. 80 PVC in sizes up to 3" are 4 to 8 times higher than the price at my local home improvement center. This is for Cantex bell end, 90 deg. wire, sunlight resistant, etc. not some cheap unlisted pipe disguised as conduit. I consider RSMeans a good resource so this really baffles me. Am I overlooking something in my comparison? Thanks.

 

[GoldDigger]

Does anyone know why the material cost for PVC conduit is so high in RSMeans? Their material costs for Sch. 80 PVC in sizes up to 3" are 4 to 8 times higher than the price at my local home improvement center. This is for Cantex bell end, 90 deg. wire, sunlight resistant, etc. not some cheap unlisted pipe disguised as conduit. I consider RSMeans a good resource so this really baffles me. Am I overlooking something in my comparison? Thanks.

Sales volume and stocking costs for odd sizes plays a role. There may also be a difference in the supplier and specifications even though both must meet Schedule 80 standards. If is is exactly the same manufacturer and part number, then distribution costs would be the big remaining factor.
Sales via P.O. usually cost more than cash, but not by a factor of four.

 

[GUNNING]

Profit = labor costs + material costs - overhead

Profit = labor costs + material costs - overhead

Dont like the number put in your own number. I would not substitute the Big Box Store prices. They get theres on volume as stated ealier. I would call the local supply house and see what there numbers were. Keep the labor and material prices seperate and patronize the supply house. They have those litle things BBS dont have, like 3 phase disconnects and motor starters.

Energy costs are a big part of PVC production. If they got the numbers when the price was high that would explain it. I like RSM because there prices are a little high and edge on the side of inflation. The labor prices are pretty accurate for an off the shelf item.

 

[JDBrown]

The material costs (and labor costs, for that matter) can vary based on the area of the country you're using. I know a lot of people just use the national average, rather than the actual location of the job. If that's how your software is set up, it could account for some of the discrepancy.