Document downloads - Post-tender estimates
Available downloads
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Code of measuring practice
Published: September 2007
Reinstated: 23 January 2018
Effective from: 23 January 2018
Please note this document is in the process of being updated in 2025.
During this interim period, when using the 6th edition of the Code and/or IPMS: All Buildings (https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/real-estate-standards/international-property-measurement-standards), RICS members and RICS-regulated firms should continue to adopt the appropriate measurement basis so as to satisfy the requirements of the instruction. The basis of measurement used should be documented.
Code of measuring practice became globally effective in May 2015.
Please note, the RICS Property measurement standard 2nd edition has been archived and should only be used as a reference. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: pre-contract cost planning and cost management (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Any questions relating to its status and application should be addressed to the RICS QS and construction professional group. -
New rules of measurement
Published October 2021
Effective from 1 December 2021
Reissued October 2022
New rules of measurement (NRM) provides a standard set of measurement rules and essential guidance for the cost management of construction projects and maintenance works.
For the first time, all three volumes of the NRM suite have been published at the same time. The updated suite consists of three separate volumes:
- NRM 1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works
- NRM 2: Detailed measurement for building works
- NRM 3: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works
The primary development in recent years has been the publication of the International Cost Management Standard (ICMS) (formerly known as International Construction Measurement Standards). Together with the Cost prediction professional standard, there now exists a hierarchy of cost management standards and tools from the high-level and global ICMS, through the more detailed principles of all aspects of cost prediction in the professional standard, to the detailed rules and guidance in the NRM suite.
Other recent developments that have resulted in the need for a revised edition include the publication of a new RIBA Plan of Work (2020), which provides a framework for the analysis of construction costs.
A mapping tool between NRM and ICMS will be provided here shortly, mapping the new NRM with ICMS 3, launched in November 2021. While NRM is based on UK practice, it provides a framework for a common set of rules and guidance with global application.
A number of other supporting documents are also being provided alongside the new NRM suite, which are designed to assist users with their understanding and use of the new NRM suite. These will be available from, or shortly after, launch.
These documents were reissued in October 2022 as practice information. They had previously been published in October 2021 as guidance notes. No material changes have been made to the documents. -
Cost reporting
Published March 2015
Effective from March 2015
This 1st edition guidance note sets out the principles of cost reporting from the perspective of the quantity surveyor to the client during construction.
This guidance note explains the purpose of cost reporting, the factors affecting outturn cost and explores the different formats and types of cost report.
This guidance note covers:
- the purpose of cost reporting;
- cost reporting models;
- report formats;
- establishing the budget;
- treatment of variable costs;
- strategic importance; and
- reporting of loss and expense.
This is part of RICS' Black Book, which is a collection of technical practice documents that covers all processes throughout the construction project life cycle. The documents are essential development tools for junior professionals working through their APC and useful guides to best practice for more experienced professionals.
A project is currently underway to review and update the Black Book content with the aim of producing a comprehensive new edition. Expected to publish in 2025, the new Black Book will comprise an overarching global professional standard, accompanied by practical guidance material. -
RICS property measurement (ARCHIVED)
Published January 2018
Effective from 1 May 2018
Archived 9 June 2025
Please note this standard has been archived and should only be used as a reference.
RICS members and RICS-regulated firms should adopt the appropriate measurement basis from IPMS: All Buildings (https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/real-estate-standards/international-property-measurement-standards) or RICS' Code of measuring practice (https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/real-estate-standards/code-of-measuring-practice) so as to satisfy the requirements of the instruction. The basis of measurement used should be documented.