Page's book in the 2nd Edition, is a very helpful reference. Incredibly detailed, it consists almost wholly of graphs which allow one to approach estimating with a high degree confidence. (The 1st edition dates back to the 1980's.)
Paperback, 326 pp with something like 280 graphs and introductory prose before each chapter.
Here's how Page lays things out in his Preface...
"Long has been the need for a manual on conceptual cost estimating that allows the construction industry and the engineering/manufacturing staff of chemical, refinery, and industrial plants to arrive at a reasonable cost for a specified facility. Simply to rely on past records...by no means justifies the construction cost of the plant. Management of all organizations concerned demands more reasoning...."
"When a project is in its planning stages, the cost of a complete design and definitive estimate would be, in most cases, too great to justify the design and estimate." "By using a very moderate flow sheet design, specifications, and/or equipment lists, by properly applying man-hours, dollars, percentage values (as are shown throughout this manual in graph and table form), and construction indexes, and by considering other items outlined in the Introduction, a total cost...should be obtainable for any location in the world."
