Cost Adjustments Screen

The Cost Adjustments screen contains optional fields that adjust the calculated costs or add additional items to the report. This screen displays when you click the Cost Adjustments button on the Totals screen.

To enter information, click in the desired field (or press the Tab key until the field is highlighted), then type the desired information. For the adjustments on the right side of the screen, click the

button to display the options, then click on the desired option (or press the Tab key until the field is highlighted, press the Down Arrow or Up Arrow key until the desired option is highlighted, then press Enter).

The values displayed in the "Defaults" column are the values that Residential Estimator will use when calculating the costs if you do not enter a value for that item.

The items on this screen are:

Local Multiplier: Enter a value if you do not want to use the default local multiplier (from the Residential Cost Handbook, based on ZIP/Postal Code).
Local Multiplier Adjustment (%): Enter a value if you want to increase or decrease the costs for unusual situations, such as remote locations, resort locations, shortages, surpluses, etc. In such instances, enter the percentage you want to increase or decrease costs for the local multiplier adjustment %.

Architect's Fee (%): Enter a value if you do not want to use the default architect’s fee % (from Section D of the Residential Cost Handbook, based on type and quality).
Rounding Value ($): Enter a value to print an additional line in the report with the final cost rounded to the dollar amount entered.
Report Date (mm/yyyy): Enter a value only if you want the costs in the report to be calculated for a previous date (with October 1975 the earliest available date). Use this field only if you want to set the report date for selected estimates to a date other than the cost date (such as when doing an appraisal for a divorce or estate where a specific valuation date is required). If you need the report date for all estimates set to a specific date (such as in assessment work), set the default date using the Calculations tab in the Customization option of the Tools menu.
Single Line Backdate Date (mm/yyyy): Enter a value only if you want to print an additional line in the report with the final cost trended back to a previous date (with October 1975 the available date).
Base Date (mm/yyyy): This is a required field that sets the month and year of all effective ages and physical and/or physical+functional depreciation percentages in the estimate (with October 1975 the available date). It also sets the date of the costs for additions with the Trend option set but that do not have their own Base Dates. See the Worksheet Reference for further details.
Effective Age Adjustment Value: The number of years to adjust each effective age in the estimate for each year between the Base Date and the Report Date.
Depreciation Percentage Adjustment Value: The percentage to adjust each physical and/or physical+functional depreciation percentage in the estimate for each year between the Base Date and the Report Date.
Energy Adjustment: Select one of the climate zones to adjust the costs for items that affect energy conservation (i.e., insulation, framing and window glazing), or select the "Use Default" option to use the default listed in the "Defaults" column.
Foundation Adjustment: Select one of the climate zones to adjust the foundation depth of the residence, or select the "Use Default" option to use the default listed to the right of this drop-down list box.
Hillside Adjustment: Select one of the options here to adjust the cost for hillside construction if the residence is built on a hillside.
Seismic Adjustment: Select one of the options here if you want to adjust the cost for the additional construction needed to meet seismic building code requirements. For frame homes, this includes the additional cost of structurally upgrading the sheathing, bracing and roof ties and of increased reinforcement in the foundation. For masonry homes, this includes the additional reinforcement cost for the exterior wall and foundation, as well as the additional costs for roof ties and any other miscellaneous structural upgrading. If you do not want to adjust the cost for seismic construction, select "No Adjustment."
Wind Adjustment: Select "Wind Adjustment" to adjust the cost for the additional construction to meet high wind building code requirements. Select "No Adjustment" if you do not want to adjust for wind.
Type Name: Enter a type name only if you want the report to have something other than the residence type you selected on the Building Data screen. For example, if a Single-Family Residence has been converted to a Restaurant, enter Restaurant for the type name.
Story Height: Enter a story height only if it differs from the default height displayed to the right. The story height is the average height per floor. For example, for a two-story house with a 10’ high first floor and an 8’ high second floor, enter 9 for the story height.

You can also define values to use for new estimates for most of the fields on this screen. For example, you can set the base date for all estimates to a given date in the past. Whenever you create a new estimate, Residential Estimator automatically displays these default values in the appropriate fields.