Document downloads - Bills of quantities
Available downloads
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Code of measuring practice
Published: September 2007
Reinstated: 23 January 2018
Effective from: 23 January 2018
Code of measuring practice, 6th edition was reinstated on 23 January 2018 after publication of RICS property measurement, 2nd edition.
The 6th edition of the code became effective globally from 18 May 2015 when it was incorporated into the first professional statement, that for offices. -
Valuing change
Published May 2010
This guidance note summarises what is meant by 'change' and how it is valued under JCT, NEC and FIDIC forms of contract.
This is part of the RICS QS and construction standards (the 'Black Book'). -
Definition of Prime Cost of Daywork
The Definition of Prime Cost is published by RICS and the relevant trade body for convenience and for use by people who choose to use it. Members of the relevant trade body are not in any way debarred from defining Prime Cost and rendering their accounts for work carried out on that basis in any way they choose. Building owners are advised to reach agreement with contractors on the Definition of Prime Cost to be used prior to entering into a contract or subcontract.
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Cost analysis and benchmarking – UK (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note summarises the purpose and process of both cost analysis and construction project benchmarking.
It is based on current practice within the UK and covers the general principles applying to each operation. It does not seek to cover every approach to cost analysis or benchmarking but looks at the subject areas from a practical aspect.
In addition, while the processes of cost analysis and benchmarking are applicable to the whole life costs associated with the construction and operation of a building, this guidance note considers capital cost only. The principles covered may, however, also be applied to costs in use.
This is part of the RICS QS and construction standards (the 'Black Book'). -
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 analysis and benchmarking – global (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This first edition guidance provides a summary of the purpose and process of both cost analysis and construction project benchmarking.
The purpose of this guidance note is to ensure consistent practice, delivered in a professional manner that is in line with internationally recognised guidance.
This is part of the RICS QS and Construction Standards. -
Overview of a 5D BIM project (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Through consultation with RICS, Henry Riley LLP was invited to write an information paper based on its experience of 5D BIM throughout 2012 and 2013, with particular focus on a project in which an RICS NRM 1 pricing document based on quantification from a BIM model was issued for tender.
This 1st edition information paper includes: project details, key problems identified, process and solution pre-tender, post-tender review and lessons learnt. -
International BIM implementation guide
Published September 2014
Effective from 1 March 2015
This guidance note highlights international high-level principles around how to implement and use BIM in the design, construction and operation of our built environment, including facets of procurement management and asset management. It is intended that these principles are used as an overarching framework for potential national standards or regional guidelines on BIM, and also by individuals and organisations. Therefore, this guidance note is designed for any firm or professional using BIM or considering using BIM in the foreseeable future. -
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 the RICS QS and Construction Standards. -
RICS property measurement
Published January 2018
Effective from 1 May 2018
RICS property measurement comprises the following two elements:
1. Professional statement: property measurement
a) Application of this professional statement
b) Technical definitions
c) IPMS: Office Buildings, as applied under the professional statement
d) IPMS: Residential Buildings as applied under the professional statement (applies to office measurements and residential measurements only – download these below).
2. RICS IPMS data standard
This document reflects the IPMS standards (IPMS: Office Buildings and IPMS: Residential) and will be updated over time to comply with other IPMS standards, including industrial, retail and mixed use, as they are published.
For all building classes except offices and residential buildings, the bases of measurement contained within the Code of measuring practice, 6th edition (COMP) may still apply though the application of this professional statement applies to all building classes. The COMP was effective globally from 18 May 2015, though early adoption of IPMS is recommended on publication of the new standards.
Software developers and those requiring the use of structured data are advised to follow the schemas as defined, and those wishing to pursue RICS software certification must demonstrate compliance with this data standard. This data standard is an XML schema and is available to download.
A user guide to the standard, intended for implementers, is available for download. For more information please email datastandards@rics.org. -
BIM for cost managers: requirements from the BIM model
Published: August 2015
Effective from: August 2015
This global guidance note should be used as a source of reference for quantity surveyors or cost managers when BIM has been implemented in the life cycle of a project. It offers an awareness of BIM and provides readers with recommendations for good practice when producing measurement outputs.
This guidance note covers:
- working in a BIM environment
- background information on naming structures conventions/data drops
- internal practice procedures and
- BIM measurement.
This guidance note is effective from publication in August 2015.