Document downloads - Construction
Available downloads
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CDM designer competency questionnaire
Questionnaire to assess the competency of a designer in compliance with CDM 2007, with criteria for assessment.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007) came into force in April 2007 and apply to construction work in Great Britain. CDM is intended to protect the health and safety of people working in construction and others who may be affected by their activities. -
Accessibility audit example layout
There are many different styles of accessibility audit within the industry, with no real right or wrong version. The usefulness, detail and readability of audit reports varies considerably. To an extent, client requirements will dictate the type and style used. It is important to discuss this with the client and ask the question as to what the client hopes to achieve from the audit.
This form is an example of a possible layout for an audit and recommendations. -
Access Consultant terms and conditions of engagement
The National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) was established in 1999 to accredit access auditors and access consultants. This was the first recognised UK body of its kind. These are the terms and conditions for engaging an access consultant or access auditor under disability discrimination/equality legislation.
The amended text of the Terms and conditions for the engagement of an Access Consultant or Access Auditor is reproduced here with the permission of the NRAC. -
Display screen equipment assessment
Display screen equipment (DSE) is any work equipment having a screen that displays information. Typical examples are computer screens. This is an individual work station assessment form to evaluate display screen equipment according to health and safety policy.
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Notice of intention to adjudicate
A notice of intention to adjudicate defines the dispute that is being referred to the adjudicator and prevents either the parties or the adjudicator from introducing other disputes. For example, a notice asking the adjudicator to decide whether or not the referring party is entitled to the sum claimed does not permit the adjudicator to decide how much is in fact due, if the adjudicator decides that the sum claimed is not due. In the case of ambiguity in the notice of intention to adjudicate, the notice will be construed against the referring party.
This is a template for a notice of intention to adjudicate. -
Adjudication sample witness statement
A sample witness statement for an adjudication.
Adjudication is the single greatest factor to have affected dispute resolution in the construction industry in the UK.
This document is a sample template for a witness statement in the matter of adjudication pursuant to Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. -
Adjudication template for referral
A sample template for a referral during adjudication.
Adjudication is the single greatest factor to have affected dispute resolution in the construction industry in the UK.
This document is a sample template for a referral in the matter of a 'construction contract' and in the matter of an adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. -
Adjudication template for response
A sample template for a response to a referral notice during adjudication.
Adjudication is the single greatest factor to have affected dispute resolution in the construction industry in the UK.
This document is a sample template for a response to a referral notice in the matter of an adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. -
Arbitration Calderbank letter
A sample template Calderbank letter, for an offer to settle a matter of arbitration. Calderbank offers and offers made under Part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules, are offers made to settle a dispute, usually the amount of the rent, on a without prejudice basis, except that the existence of the offer to settle may be brought to the attention of an arbitrator, an independent expert or a court if he or she has discretion when it comes to determining the matter of costs.
IMPORTANT: Calderbank offers are binding offers to settle. You should ensure you have the appropriate authorisations and/or consents from your client and any other appropriate parties before such offers are made. -
Arbitration standard agenda
A standard agenda for directions for a preliminary arbitration meeting, with spaces for comments.
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BCIS Standard form of cost analysis: Section 7 Analysis forms
Cost planning of construction projects has been used for 50 years to provide a methodology for keeping control of a capital build project. It provides a means of controlling the design process to meet the budgetary requirements of the client. It enables the quantity surveyor, with the design team, to design a building to a cost, rather than costing a design after it has been completed.
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Benchmarking process
A flow diagram showing benchmarking processes.
Before any benchmarking is undertaken, it is essential that there is a detailed understanding of the products or services in question, including how they link in to the rest of the organisation. -
CDM information request from the client
A sample information request from the client under CDM 2015.
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CDM health and safety file
The typical contents of a CDM health and safety file. The health and safety file is a document prepared and issued promptly following completion of the construction works containing information needed during future construction work (which includes future cleaning, maintenance, alterations, refurbishments and demolition work) at the same site or structure.
Information contained in the health and safety file is essential for those parties involved in or carrying out such future works, to alert them to any health and safety risks that should be considered in the planning or carrying out of such works. -
Comfort letter
A comfort letter expresses the intention of one of the parties to act in a particular way (for example, to enter into a contract), but does not create any legal obligation on that party actually to act in that way. The author of the letter will only be liable for deviating from the stated intended course of action if the expressed intention was not actually held at the time that the letter was signed.
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Consent to spend
A sample consent to spend letter. Instructions to proceed with consent to spend are sometimes referred to as 'if' contracts, and usually take the following form:
'if you commence works pending preparation of the contract documents, then we will reimburse you your reasonable costs should the contract not be entered into.'
These agreements are legally binding contracts which pre-date and are superseded by the principal contract when it is executed. They must be entered into by a duly authorised representative of the party procuring the works. Consultants often make the mistake of issuing such letters on behalf of their clients. Unless the practitioner has authority to enter into contracts as the agent of his client, he or she should not sign such letters, but should leave it to the client to do so. -
Cost management change control log
Changes within construction projects are inevitable, but should be kept to a minimum and, when they do occur, controlled rigorously. For this to happen, there must be an adequate strategy and sufficient supporting documentation to record and manage the change control process.
This is a sample change control log for recording these changes. -
Cost management tender receipt opening form
Upon receiving tenders, and opening them at the previously agreed time, the amounts, together with brief comments (such as qualifications, the programme, the priced BQs received or not received) should be recorded on a standard tender return form. Each person present should sign the form to record that he or she was present and that it is a true and accurate record of the tender opening.
This form is a template sample tender receipt opening form for recording such an opening. -
Document management workflow
In the field of electronic document management, 'workflow' refers to a system in which documents are sent automatically from one user of the system to another or, more generally, where the flow of work between users is monitored electronically. This slideshow demonstrates how workflow is used to manage the life-cycle of drawings on a construction project.
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Fire action notice sample
Fire action notices should be clearly displayed where everyone can see them. Display them on major escape routes, places where people meet, circulation spaces, etc.
This file is a sample fire action notice that could be filled in and used. -
Fire emergency plan sample
A site fire safety co-ordinator should be appointed who takes responsibility for the completion and implementation of the fire emergency plan, which should ensure everyone on site reaches safety in the event of a fire. The fire plan aims to minimise the risk by controlling the hazards.
This is an example of a fire emergency plan. -
Heads of terms for construction contracts
'Heads of terms' are used to capture the essence of the agreement. A heads of terms document is often prepared by the commercial managers, and usually requires considerable refinement and clarification by lawyers as the drafting process proceeds.
This document lists numerous factors that should be taken in to account for a heads of term document. -
Contracts final certificate
A sample notice of final certificate for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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KPI value chain
Key performance Indicators (KPIs) are a fundamental part of a performance management business philosophy and of performance measurement and continuous improvement initiatives. In brief, a KPI is simply an indicator of the status of something deemed to be important.
The Value Chain approach separates the activities of the firm into a sequential chain. It represents what an organisation does and the order in which it does it. Activities are usually shown sequentially, although in reality many are consecutive and iterative.
This document is an example of a value chain. -
Suggested line of junction notice
A line of junction notice describes the intention to construct a wall either astride or abutting a boundary, which is not presently built upon, or is built upon only to the extent of a simple boundary wall wholly on one party's land. (Minimum notice period is one month).
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Suggested notice of adjacent excavation
The provisions of section 6 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (the Act) are designed to try to avoid the careless destabilising of the foundations to buildings and structures that are in close proximity to a development site. If works will involve excavation of any type (whether or not for foundations), and that excavation falls within certain dimensional parameters in relation to an adjoining building or structure, then notices must be served.
This document is a sample notice of adjacent excavation that can be issued in such circumstances. -
Suggested party structure notice
A party structure notice, under section 3 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, describes the intention to exercise rights, conferred under section 2, to undertake certain works to a party structure and certain limited works to an adjoining owner's independent building (minimum notice period is two months). The required notices must be served on all adjoining owners with an interest in the relevant structures or land.
This document is a sample template for such a notice. -
PFI process map
The figure indicates key stages in a typical PFI project, in a diagrammatic form.
The process map reduces the PFI process to 14 distinct stages and provides an appropriate framework to capture the opportunities available for the lay practitioner at each stage of the process. The practitioner must be conscious of the fact that there are several variations within the public-sector specific guidance. In principle, however, these all describe the same process. -
PFI typical structure
The typical structure of a PFI project is shown in this document. It has been annotated to indicate where there is opportunity for the provision of professional consultancy services.
There is scope for the practitioner to provide professional consultancy services to the public-sector purchaser of the service; the private-sector operator (the private-sector provider); and the funders or investors in the project company. -
Post-occupancy checklist
The primary purpose of a post-occupancy review is to establish the satisfaction of the customer (in this case, the end-user and occupier of the building) with the built facility they occupy. A post-occupancy review can be carried out on a newly completed building or an existing building where an occupier has taken occupancy with minimum work. In the latter, the review can be an assessment against the criteria for acquiring the lease of the building.
Prior to the post-occupancy review, information should be collated against a checklist, such as the one provided in this document. -
PPC 2000 process
PPC 2000 is the first standard form of project partnering contract. It is published by the Association of Consultant Architects and was launched by Sir John Egan, chairman of the Construction Task Force, in September 2000 when he described it as 'a blow for freedom'.
This diagram shows the process involved in PPC 2000. -
Contracts certificate of practical completion
A sample notice of practical completion for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Practical completion checklist
Completion of works is an important milestone. It is a date that has a significant impact on payment, risk and damages. For example, and depending on the contractual terms, the employer will take possession and responsibility for loss or damage, the right to deduct damages for delay, will come to an end; payments for retention or performance bonuses will be payable; the defects liability period will commence; the time during which the final account should be prepared will commence.
This checklist lists the things that should be done in order to achieve practical completion. -
Process for scanning documentation
Potential process for scanning documentation as part of a electronic document management approach.
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Recognition of existence of a binding contract
Letters recognising the existence of a binding contract between the parties may be used to execute the contract before the formalities of copying, binding and signing the contract have been completed.
A letter recognising the existence of a binding contract has similar effects to the execution of the contract itself. If the contract is repudiated after such a letter is in place, but before the contract itself has been signed, the employer will be liable for loss of profit by the contractor on the outstanding works.
This is a sample form of letter recognising the existence of a binding contract. -
Rights of light application for a certificate under section 2 of the Rights of Light Act 1959
The subject of rights to light concerns the assessment of whether a proposed obstruction (for example, an additional storey on a building) is likely to interfere materially with a neighbour's easement of light.
If time is a critical factor (for example, the dominant owner's windows are just on the point of attaining their prescriptive right to light), a temporary certificate can be requested as a matter of urgency.
This is a letter that can be used to apply for such a certificate. -
Contracts certificate of making good defects
Sample certificates of making good defects for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Whole life costing - Worked example 2 table
The whole life cost (WLC) of an asset is defined as the present value of the total cost of that asset over its operating life (including initial capital cost, maintenance and replacement cost, energy cost and the cost or benefit of the eventual disposal of the asset at the end of its life).
Whole life costing techniques can be used to evaluate options at the elemental, component and total building levels. For example, during the design process, it may be appropriate to compare window-cleaning access options or alternative heating solutions. At the initial design stage, a whole life comparison of building refurbishment against demolition and new build would recognise the life-cycle efficiencies of the latter, and could be crucial to efforts to establish the correct way forward.
Examples of each of these option appraisal calculations are included in this table and the other two parts of the worked example. -
Whole life costing - Worked example 1 table
The whole life cost (WLC) of an asset is defined as the present value of the total cost of that asset over its operating life (including initial capital cost, maintenance and replacement cost, energy cost and the cost or benefit of the eventual disposal of the asset at the end of its life).
Whole life costing techniques can be used to evaluate options at the elemental, component and total building levels. For example, during the design process, it may be appropriate to compare window-cleaning access options or alternative heating solutions. At the initial design stage, a whole life comparison of building refurbishment against demolition and new build would recognise the life-cycle efficiencies of the latter, and could be crucial to efforts to establish the correct way forward.
Examples of each of these option appraisal calculations are included in this table and the other two parts of the worked example. -
Appointing a quantity surveyor in Scotland (ARCHIVED)
Published July 1999
Archived 16 September 2024
This guide is designed specifically for clients and professionals in Scotland. It provides information on appointing a consultant in Scotland for both the private and public sectors. It contains: a form of agreement with terms of appointment; a form of enquiry; a schedule of service; and a guide to the fee offer. -
Asbestos
Published May 2021
Effective from 1 August 2021
Reissued October 2022
The widespread use of asbestos has implications for property professionals working in all sectors and can impact on all stages of a building’s life cycle.
This professional standard contains a comprehensive overview of the legislation and industry guidance that govern the complex subject of asbestos. It provides guidance on the dangers asbestos poses to health and businesses, and sets out best practice advice to assist property professionals in complying with the regulations and implementing an effective management plan to ensure that they do not put themselves or others at risk.
The standard is not intended to advise members specially in the undertaking of asbestos surveys. Guidance on such surveys is set out in the HSE publication HSG264 Asbestos: The survey guide.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in May 2021 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Surveyors acting as advocates
Published February 2017
Effective from 1 June 2017
The professional statement sets out the core duties expected of the surveyor-advocate. It applies where you agree (whether in writing or orally) to act as a surveyor-advocate before any tribunal in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The guidance note offers guidance on fundamental aspects of advocacy practice. It outlines general duties and roles and offers best practice advice on, among other things, case preparation and preliminaries, evidence and documents, and hearings.
A client guide (a stand-alone electronic version of the professional statement) is also available. -
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. -
Contamination, the environment and sustainability: Implications for chartered surveyors and their clients (ARCHIVE)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The challenges presented by contaminated land and environmental issues, such as the flood risk caused by climate change, and the need to live in a more sustainable way mean that the demand for best advice has never been more important. Surveyors are uniquely placed to provide this advice to clients in all property sectors.
This guidance note aims to support and guide the professional activities both of those who are already highly proficient in this area and also those who are less experienced.
This publication was reviewed and a new standard was published in 2018: 'Environmental risk and global real estate'. -
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 changes a basic principle of English law, namely that only parties to a contract can enforce rights under that contract - the 'privity of contract' rule. This RICS information paper clarifies some of the issues that have come to light as a result of this change. -
Dilapidations
Published September 2016 (E&W) and March 2015 (Scotland)
Effective from December 2016 (E&W) and March 2015 (Scotland)
Reissued December 2023
This professional standard seeks to advise members on the factors they should take into consideration when producing Schedules of Dilapidations, Quantified Demands, Responses, Scott Schedules and Diminution Valuations for reference to or use by the client, the other party to the lease, third parties and tribunals.
Dilapidations in England and Wales was reissued in December 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in September 2016 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document.
Dilapidations in Scotland was reissued in December 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in March 2015 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Direct professional access to barristers (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
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Environmental Impact Assessment (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a statutory tool for assessing the environmental impacts of development projects, and identifying measures that can be taken to reduce these impacts. EIA has been established in the UK since 1988, and has been made a statutory requirement for certain projects by the implementation of two key European Directives (Directive 85/337 The assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment and the subsequent Directive 97/11).
This guidance note provides an overview of the EIA process and considers the potential role of RICS members. Chartered Surveyors should be conscious of the EIA process, either as an integrated part of the planning/permitting process or as a separate procedure, and of the detailed differences for example in the nature and scale of proposals subject to EIA. -
E-tendering
Published December 2010
E-tendering provides a framework where both clients and tenderers can reduce their costs, remove unnecessary administration and streamline the overall tendering process. This guidance note provides useful best practice information on e-tendering for anyone involved in the tendering and procurement process. Appendices include a glossary of terms, sample materials, checklists and where to find out further information regarding the implementation of e-tendering within your enterprise.
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. -
Fixed plant (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The term 'fixed plant' is widely used, especially in the context of accounting, taxation and rating. However, it is not easily defined and frequently means different things to different people. It is important to be clear about the distinction between plant, fixed plant, fixtures and chattels, as it has vital implications in property sales, leases, mortgages, taxation and rating. -
Fire damage reinstatement (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The repair of fire damage has much in common with other repair and maintenance works, but presents the surveyor with some particular problems. The form of damage is qualitatively different from that with which he may be familiar. This Information Paper is not intended to provide guidance and advice to surveyors on the manner in which repair works should be implemented. Rather, it highlights the peripheral matters which arise, and aspects which need to be given consideration over and above those matters which normally apply to building works. -
Reinstatement cost assessment of buildings
Published February 2018
Effective from 1 June 2018
Reissued June 2024
This publication is intended as a guide for surveyors who carry out reinstatement cost assessments of buildings.
The professional standard provides detailed recommendations on: the manner in which assessments should be approached, the nature and extent of the information to be collated, the manner in which this information should be processed and how the assessment should be calculated and submitted.
This document was reissued in June 2024 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in February 2018 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Use of GNSS in land surveying and mapping
Published: May 2023
Effective from: 18 June 2023
This standard forms part of a series of specifications and guidelines intended to assist those connected with the requesting, purchasing and production of surveys and mapping material at all scales, by spreading good practice and seeking to avoid duplication of effort.
This document has been written primarily to provide:
- the surveyor with a set of practical operational guidelines, which can be used when undertaking any survey that includes GNSS techniques; sufficient information is also included to allow the surveyor to generate a set of GNSS survey procedures applicable to a survey task required by the client, and
- the client, or purchaser of spatial information generated from a GNSS survey, with sufficient information to write a task-specific specification for a GNSS survey, which sets out the accuracy requirements, products and a scope of work from which the surveyor can accurately produce a bid for the survey. -
Party wall legislation and procedure
Published July 2019
Effective from 1 October 2019
Reissued May 2023
This standard provides guidance for RICS members who accept instructions for which the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (the Act) may be relevant. It also describes the circumstances in which the Act will apply, as well as the procedures to be followed where it does.
The new 7th edition, which is effective from 1 December 2019, contains an in-depth and important section on professional conduct. While a party wall surveyor is minimally required to act only in accordance with their statutory obligations, an RICS member is expected to meet RICS expectations of professional and ethical behaviour commensurate with their membership, alongside their duty to conform to the Act.
The appendices contain various draft letters and draft notices and a revised and updated suggested draft award. -
Practice management guidelines (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The Practice management guidelines, 3rd edition was aimed at small to medium practices and intended to assist in the day-to-day running of the business. -
Principles of measurement (international) for works of construction (ARCHIVED)
A set of principles of measurement is essential to reduce widely varying practices and consequent disputes. Although there are an increasing number of contract documents requiring bills of quantities, often there is no framework within which they can be prepared, nor a commonly agreed basis of measurement. These principles, prepared by the RICS, provide a uniform basis of measurement. They are suitable for use where existing rules are inappropriate or where no rules exist.
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Private finance initiative (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Chartered surveyors have considerable opportunities to support the success of PFI. This guidance note aims to show what type of opportunities exist for the chartered surveyor in PFI, as well as providing a current statement of PFI policy and practice. -
Project management agreement and conditions of engagement
Published 1992
Archived 16 September 2024
This document has been designed as a model agreement and conditions of engagement for use by client and project managers. The project manager is regarded as an independent professional, but there are differences of opinion as to the responsibilities he or she has and the services he or she provides.
This agreement has been written on the basis of the generally recognised situation in the construction industry where the person or company in the position of project manager coordinates other consultants appointed directly by the client. A distinction between project management and project co-ordination is made by RICS Insurance Services Limited (RICSIS). If the project manager appoints other consultants, RICSIS defines the service as project management. If the client appoints other consultants, the service is defined as project co-ordination. It is to be used in conjunction with Memorandum of agreement between client and project manager and conditions of engagement also presented here. -
Project monitoring (ARCHIVED)
Published March 2007
Effective from March 2007
Archived 16 September 2024
Project monitoring is distinct from both project management and construction monitoring, and can be defined as: 'protecting the client's interests by identifying and advising on the risks associated with acquiring an interest in a development that is not under the client's direct control.'
This guidance note considers the typical things that a project monitor will advise upon, including:
- land and property acquisition matters
- statutory consents; competency of the developer, its team and any proposed project management systems
- financial appraisals
- development, finance, consultancy and construction agreements
- construction costs and programmes and
- design and construction quality. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: introduction and index (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: the client's roles and responsibilities (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: value engineering (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. -
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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: life cycle costing (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: elements for buildings (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: design and build – guidance for employer's agents (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: the chartered surveyor as lead consultant (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: defining sustainable construction (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: developing an appropriate building procurement strategy (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: building services procurement (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: the problems of practical completion (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: ascertaining the amount of loss and expense incurred in building projects (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: the management of risk (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: valuations for interim certificates (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: extension of time (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: surveying safely (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. -
Surveyors' construction handbook: electronic document storage - legal admissibility (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. -
Stock condition surveys (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
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Surveyors acting as arbitrators and as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews (ARCHIVE)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
See the latest editions:
- Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2013).
- Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2014). -
Surveyors acting as arbitrators in construction disputes
Published April 2017
Effective from 3 July 2017
Reissued April 2023
This professional standard applies to RICS members appointed to act as arbitrators in disputes relating to construction works. It should also be of assistance to parties involved in arbitration, and those acting for them, by making them aware of the procedures that may be followed.
It includes:
- the fundamentals of arbitration and the powers and duties of an arbitrator
- the agreement and commencement of proceedings
- appointment of the arbitrator
- setting procedure
- the interlocutory period
- the hearing and award
- termination/post award.
This document was reissued in April 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in April 2017 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Surveyors acting as expert witnesses
Published April 2014
Effective from 2 July 2014
Reissued February 2023
Surveyors acting as expert witnesses, 4th edition, applies to surveyors when providing expert evidence, whether oral or written, before a range of courts and tribunals in the UK,
The practice statement sets out the mandatory duties of a surveyor in providing evidence, while the guidance note provides further information on good practice, including: the need for clear instructions and terms of engagement; fees; guidance on what to do in situations of conflict of interest; an outline of the written report format; clarification of the differences between the roles of expert witness and advocate; and the immunity of the expert witness.
A stand-alone electronic version of this practice statement (without the guidance note) is also available for potential use with clients in connection with the particular requirement of PS 3.3.
This document was amended in February 2023 to remove wording from PS10 and GN19 which could be read as prohibiting expert witnesses from taking instructions from solicitors who are engaged on a conditional fee, even if the expert is instructed on an unconditional fee basis. This was not the intention of RICS and has therefore been amended for clarity. -
Measured surveys of land, buildings and utilities
Published November 2014
Effective from 8 December 2014
Reissued April 2024
This professional standard is designed for use by land, engineering and measured building surveyors who are acting in an advisory capacity and by survey knowledgeable clients who specify their own surveys.
This third edition supersedes the second edition. One of the primary changes from the second edition is the use of survey accuracy band, which takes into consideration client requirements for scale independent metadata and digital data handling environments.
This professional standard covers:
- project information
- survey accuracy, control, coordinate grid and datum
- topographic surveys
- measured building surveys
- underground utility surveys
- monitoring and deformation and
- deliverables. -
Terms and conditions of contract for land surveying services (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This document contained the main contractual terms and conditions for survey contracts, for small- to medium-sized projects, where a longer and more complex general contract was not required. -
Waste management – a guide to landfill (ARCHIVE)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
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Environmental impact assessment checklist
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to anticipate the environmental consequences of a development before planning permission is granted. This sort of assessment is required for certain projects defined under EU regulations. The process involves determining whether an EIA is required for the project (screening) and deciding which issues should be assessed (scoping), before completing the assessment process.
This is a list of contents that could appear in such an assessment. -
PFI scope for the provision of professional consultancy services
The key requirements and deliverables for the parties in a PFI are summarised in this table: Scope for the provision of professional consultancy services at key stages of the PFI process.
The requirement from the perspective of the purchaser (the client body) is distinguished from that of the private-sector provider (PSP, or operator), as there is a marked difference between the two. The principal opportunities for the practitioner from both perspectives have been identified where relevant. -
Whole life costing - Worked example 3 tables
The whole life cost (WLC) of an asset is defined as the present value of the total cost of that asset over its operating life (including initial capital cost, maintenance and replacement cost, energy cost and the cost or benefit of the eventual disposal of the asset at the end of its life).
Whole life costing techniques can be used to evaluate options at the elemental, component and total building levels. For example, during the design process, it may be appropriate to compare window-cleaning access options or alternative heating solutions. At the initial design stage, a whole life comparison of building refurbishment against demolition and new build would recognise the life-cycle efficiencies of the latter, and could be crucial to efforts to establish the correct way forward.
Examples of each of these option appraisal calculations are included in this table and the other two parts of the worked example. -
Whole life costing - Discount factor tables
The whole life costing (WLC) technique is concerned with the assessment of the time stream of costs and revenues that will flow throughout the life of a construction project option.
As 'money today' has a different value to 'money tomorrow' or 'money in 10 years' time', a technique has to be adopted that will express future costs or revenues in present values for comparative purposes. The process of converting 'future money' to 'present money' is called 'discounting'.
Discounting involves establishing the discount rate to be used. In making a decision on a discount rate for a particular project, some judgment will need to be exercised about the degree of risk return (interest) and the likely levels of future inflation rates.
These tables provide assistance in calculating the discount rate and are taken from pages 45-47 in Part 2, section 2 of the old Surveyor's Construction Handbook. -
Surveyors acting as adjudicators in the construction industry
Published January 2017
Effective from January 2017
Reissued April 2023
This professional standard applies to RICS members who are either nominated by RICS or another adjudicator nominating body (ANB), or appointed directly by the parties, to adjudicate disputes relating to works carried out under a construction contract and works carried out under a contract to which the Construction Act does not apply, but under which the parties have agreed a contractual mechanism to enable them to adjudicate disputes.
It is also intended to assist the parties and those acting for them by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed in an adjudication.
This document was reissued in April 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in January 2017 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document.
Surveyors acting as adjudicators in the construction industry when Scots Law applies:
Published April 2018
Effective from April 2018
Reissued June 2024
This document was reissued in June 2024 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in April 2028 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
RICS Forms of Consultant's Appointment (England and Wales) (ARCHIVED)
These documents have been archived and are available on isurv for information purposes only.
The latest edition was published in May 2022 and is available to download from: www.isurv.com/info/1557/rics_forms_of_consultant_appointments -
Scott schedule
A major feature of defects claims litigation is the Scott Schedule. This can be a particularly useful way of establishing the linkage between cause and effect in any given set of circumstances.
This is a typical Scott Schedule providing the landlord's item-by-item claim schedule and the tenant's item-by-item response.
A completed example is also given for reference (from Appendix D of the Dilapidations guidance note). -
Schedule of dilapidations
The schedule of dilapidations is an extremely important document which, if proven, inevitably has a significant impact on the party receiving the claim. This is usually a tenant but not in every case. It is a document that will be put in front of the court should legal proceedings follow and upon which a claim will be based.
Taken from the 6th edition of the RICS Dilapidations guidance note, this is a sample schedule of dilapidations.
The completed example is taken from the 5th edition of the RICS Dilapidations guidance note. -
Access Statement example
Access Statements should be prepared at the planning stage and will need to be submitted for both planning purposes and then subsequently developed for submission with the Building Regulation application. The actual requirement to submit an Access Statement to Building Control will largely depend upon the local enforcing authority.
This example Access Statement can be used to develop your own Access Statement. -
Project monitor drawdown letter
The project monitor will frequently be required to provide a recommendation to the bank or fund on the drawdown of development expenditure. Typically the developer will submit a drawdown request including a cumulative summary of costs incurred to date together with supporting documentation i.e. architect's certificates, fee invoices, etc.
The project monitor should review and check the drawdown request by comparing it with the cashflow forecast and any budgets or cost plans provided in the development agreement or in the initial audit report. It is important that the project monitor advises the client if any budgets or cost plans have been, or are like to be, exceeded.
At the end of this exercise the project monitor should make a payment recommendation to the bank or fund based on the information received. This document is a sample letter making such a recommendation. -
Project monitor initial audit report
The initial audit report provides the opportunity for the project monitor to fully acquaint itself with the proposed scheme. Once complete, the report should provide a complete picture of the project including the desired specification, design brief and constraints: the development appraisal and associated cost build-ups; the design and construction programmes; and the design and construction team. Using its experience, the project monitor will then be able to advise the bank or fund on the risks associated with the project and fully appreciate the consequences of variations or changes, as they arise.
This is a sample initial audit report. -
Project monitor initial report format
The initial audit report provides the opportunity for the project monitor to fully acquaint itself with the proposed scheme. Once complete, the report should provide a complete picture of the project including the desired specification, design brief and constraints:
• the development appraisal and associated cost build-ups;
• the design and construction programmes; and
• the design and construction team.
Using its experience, the project monitor will then be able to advise the bank or fund on the risks associated with the project and fully appreciate the consequences of variations or changes, as they arise.
This is an example of the format for the initial audit report. -
Project monitor instruction letter
It is particularly important that the role of the project monitor is clearly understood by both the bank or fund and the developer. This will allow the project monitor to carry out its role in an effective manner and make a positive contribution to the development team as a whole.
This is a sample letter for instructing a project monitor on their role. -
Project monitor progress report checklist
In most instances the project monitor prepares a monthly report for the bank or fund. This progress report is key to the overall reporting process to the bank or fund.
Typically, the progress report will be undertaken on a monthly basis and, where appropriate, should follow seven days after the drawdown request by the developer.
This is a checklist of items the progress monitor should consider in making the progress report. -
Project monitor schedule of surveying services
An example schedule of surveying services for project monitors, to allow them to determine practical completion.
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Arbitration directions
Sample template of an order for directions for rent review arbitration.
It is helpful if, prior to a preliminary arbitration meeting, the third party sends to both parties suggested draft directions. This will allow the parties to be better prepared for discussions at the preliminary meeting and will give them the opportunity to have agreed as much as possible between themselves before the meeting. -
Client briefing meeting checklist
A checklist of things to consider and discuss at a client briefing meeting.
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Consultancy appointments checklist
A checklist of typical issues to consider when reviewing consultancy appointments documents.
Many clients will have their own terms under which they require their suppliers to work, others will be open for the supplier to put forward their standard conditions. Provided the other party checks the terms and finds them acceptable then the origin of the terms is irrelevant and most organisations will have key issues they look for in reviewing appointment terms such as: limitations on liability, professional indemnity insurance requirements, payment terms and the like. -
Client feedback checklist
A checklist of questions to ask clients to gather feedback in various areas.
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Site waste management plan
A key tool in achieving effective waste management and minimisation is through the implementation of a site waste management plan, which for some sites is a legal obligation.
The form below is a sample form for such a waste management plan. -
Contracts extension of time
A sample notice of extension of time for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Contracts certificate of non-completion
A sample notice of non-completion for use with JCT Intermediate and Standard contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Contracts statement of retention values
A sample statement of retention/payment values for use with JCT Iintermediate and Design and Build contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Contracts instruction
A sample notice of instruction for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Excel format).
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Contracts valuation form
A sample valuation form for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Excel format).
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Contracts certificate for payment
Sample certificate for payment for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Contracts site direction
A sample notice for site direction for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Excel format).
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Contracts notice of dispute
A sample notice of dispute for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Renewable energy (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Commissioned by the rural professional group and published by RICS in April 2009, this information paper was an update and upgrade of the Renewables briefing paper originally published in 2007. It was designed to meet the immediate needs of non-specialist surveyors in the UK who do not have detailed knowledge of renewable energy issues and to act as a resource guide for those seeking to make a basic assessment of the options for farmers and householders, and not as a comprehensive guide to renewable energy. -
Sustainability and the RICS property lifecycle (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The chartered surveying profession has long had a role and reputation as being the custodian of the built and natural environment. With a body of knowledge and expertise built up over many years, RICS members are at the core of decision-making on the built and natural environment.
RICS recognises that sustainability should be considered throughout the property lifecycle. The interrelationships of the five phases in the property lifecycle - greenfield and estate management, planning and procurement, new construction, occupation and use (including refurbishment and alterations), demolition and remediation - are critical to achieving sustainability for the property profession.
This document details how sustainability can be embedded into the RICS property lifecycle and provides a resource for engaging our members in sustainability in promoting a positive contribution to our pursuit of sustainable land, property and construction.
This guidance note primarily examines the sustainability interventions and opportunities property professionals can put forward during the design and construction of a building project.
It also forms a starting point for further guidance aimed at the RICS property lifecycle stages. -
Boundaries: procedures for boundary identification, demarcation and dispute resolution
Published February 2021
Effective from 1 May 2021
Reissued October 2022
Disputes about boundaries, and related neighbour disputes, are never far from the news and have been increasing steadily during the COVID-19 period in England and Wales. Boundary disputes can be costly, traumatic and time-consuming for all concerned; they can end up in expensive legal cases, leave a lingering mistrust and ill-feeling between neighbours, result in delayed development and additional costs, and cause confusion between professionals. They never fail to light up the letter pages of the tabloids, and the constituency postbags of MPs.
It is critical that RICS members, and other professionals working within this sector, are up to date with the latest best practice advice and guidance. This new 4th edition encompasses all that was best from the seminal 3rd edition, with a new emphasis on mediation, and has been reformatted and edited to include several new and expanded sections.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in February 2021 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Development management (ARCHIVED)
Published August 2009
Archived 16 September 2024
This guidance note is primarily aimed at project management surveyors and has two purposes:
(1) to set out the main phases of the development management process and the main activities included in each phase; and
(2) to provide specific guidance on the following issues that will impact upon the development process: development appraisal; planning application processes; development finance; and procurement. -
Historic building conservation (ARCHIVED)
Published September 2009
Effective from 1 October 2009
Archived April 2024
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note should be used by any RICS member practising or working on old and traditionally constructed building or structures. One in five buildings in the UK date from before 1914, meaning that surveyors of all disciplines are likely to encounter such buildings at some stage in their career.
General guidance does not cover all situations and the practitioner's skill will lie in tailoring his or her knowledge to suit each case. The diverse nature of historic buildings and the owner and user's interests in them means that surveyors working in this field, however briefly, require a rounded understanding of the whole subject before any truly successful solution can be identified. The section on the philosophy of historic building conservation is intended to help equip the competent surveyor to balance apparently conflicting demands in the best interests of owners and the wider community. -
Electronic document management (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note was prepared in response to the growth in electronic document exchange and storage. Without some form of structured methodology, the task of managing information through the traditional document lifecycle is virtually impossible.
There are a number of Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) providing the basis of a structured system. The question for practitioners is, what form should a system take, and which system is best for a particular project? While there is no single system, there are some general recommendations on good practice.
This guidance note is part of the RICS QS and construction standards (the 'Black Book').
Please be aware that this guidance note contains some material which is in the process of being updated for revisions to the CDM Regulations, RIBA Plan of Work, and updates to the JCT, NEC and FIDIC suites. Members are made aware of these impending revisions in order that they first check the most up to date position before electing to act in accordance with this guidance document. -
Construction insurance (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Best practice for property professionals regarding construction insurance in relation to construction projects – from the initial development stage, through to completion.
This is part of the RICS QS and construction standards. -
Life cycle costing of sustainable design (RICS)
Published February 2009
This report, by John Kelly and Kirsty Hunter with RICS Education Trust funding, provides a methodology for assessing the life cycle cost of buildings that incorporate elements of sustainable design. -
Geospatial information and the surveying profession (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Geographic or geospatial information (GI) has become part of everyday life and is a growing worldwide phenomenon. No longer is GI the preserve of highly skilled professionals; instead many people in society use it on a daily basis, sometimes unknowingly. In-car navigation systems and instant access to satellite imagery through the Internet are just two of the enormous changes that have taken place over the past few years. The proliferation of websites that use maps, images and addresses is a clear indication that GI has become part of the norm for many people. Although many of the examples in this information paper are taken from the UK, the acceleration of GI is a relevant worldwide. -
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 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. -
SMM7: Standard method of measurement of building works (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
SMM7 has been superseded by NRM 2 (see www.isurv.com/downloads/download/1472/new_rules_of_measurement).
ARCHIVED: The 7th edition of the Standard Method of Measurement was published in 1988. Following experience in use and in consequence of queries raised minor amendments were made in September 1988, May 1989 and May 1992. In 1998 further changes were required. Three amendments were also issued in May 2000 (1 and 2) and in June 2009 (3).
Copyright for SMM7 is now held by RICS. -
Rights of light
3rd edition
Published March 2024
Effective from 1 June 2024
Produced by a cross-professional group specialist panel of associate and chartered surveyors, this guidance deals with easements known as rights of light and outlines current best practice for surveyors in this field.
A right of light as an easement requires various factors to be in in order to create or trigger the formation of the legal right. Due to the legal nature of rights of light, practitioners often work closely with specialist legal advisers.
Members should avoid exceeding the extent of their competence in reporting on legal rather than technical issues. -
Right of light dispute checklist
Suggested checklist of documents relevant to a rights of light dispute, and where they can be obtained. Covers client's property, neighbour's property, and items that apply to both.
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The validity of daylight calculations in rights to light cases (RICS)
The aim of this research was to discover whether it would be possible to justify an alternative measure of daylight sufficiency that would satisfy the requirement of a court and also be capable of being used in negotiations of compensation.
By testing the validity of the original research, which has underpinned the current methods without question since 1923 and comparing this with alternative methods of measurement, a new standard was developed which more accurately represents the value of daylight in a room. Further research, experimentation and testing confirmed the levels of illuminance required for sufficiency. -
Expert witness terms of engagement template
This template is adapted from the practice statement and guidance note, Surveyors acting as expert witnesses. Its sample terms are not intended to be mandatory or prescriptive, and may be adapted as required. It is recognised that a variety of circumstances will prevail in the range of assignments surveyors may undertake and that clauses may not be appropriate in every circumstance. For example, where a client appoints a surveyor directly, without using an appointer, the terms would need to be amended accordingly. Other or additional terms of engagement may also be indicated, for example, by a protocol established under the CPR or in guides that supplement the CPR in certain courts.
Disclaimer: Users of this document are responsible for forming their own view as to whether this document and its contents are suitable for use in any particular circumstances. The supply of this document does not constitute legal or other professional advice, nor does it constitute any opinion or recommendation as to how any person should conduct its business or whether any person should or should not enter into any form of contract. Users should, if appropriate, consult their professional advisers as to any such matter. No warranty, express or implied, is given in respect of this document and neither RICS nor the authors shall be liable for any loss or damage of any kind arising directly or indirectly from the use or misuse of this document or from any reliance on it by any person, except to the extent that exclusion of such liability is prohibited by law. -
Managing organisational change (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
These papers are aimed at surveyors who are assisting clients with organisational change or are re-organising their own professional practice. -
The future of UK housebuilding (RICS)
Published December 2010
This report aims to explore the future nature and form of UK housebuilding over the next 10 to 20 years with the purpose to encourage strategic thinking and provoke debate on the future of housing in the UK. The report reviews the current status of housebuilding, identifies the current key challenges and opportunities facing the industry in relation to the delivery of housing of quantity, quality, environmental sustainability and affordability. It then discusses the drivers for change and the potential future nature and form of housing, presenting strategic thinking based on expertise, existing knowledge and insights of the authors and others. -
An overview and comparison of dispute resolution processes in the UK (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
There are many different dispute resolution processes in the UK, the idea being that all of them strive to meet these aims in different ways. However, 'one size does not fit all', and selecting the wrong process can result in the opposite outcome; an unacceptable result in the longest possible time, with the greatest possible expense and maximum stress on the participants. The purpose of this paper is therefore to give an accurate, non-legalistic and user-friendly overview of the main dispute resolution processes available to the property, land and built environment sectors in the UK. This should assist users in selecting the most suitable dispute resolution process for their particular dispute. -
E-tendering: Sample preliminary enquiry - initial letter
E-tendering provides a framework where both clients and tenderers can reduce their costs, remove unnecessary administration and streamline the overall tendering process. This is an initial letter sample for a preliminary enquiry.
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E-tendering: Prequalification document
E-tendering provides a framework where both clients and tenderers can reduce their costs, remove uneccessary administration and streamline the overall tendering process. This prequalification document is a description of works and guidelines for contractor submissions.
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E-tendering: Sample document index and referencing notes
E-tendering provides a framework where both clients and tenderers can reduce their costs, remove unnecessary administration and streamline the overall tendering costs.This sample document index is appropriate for the delivery of tender documents by CD, DVD, or web based systems.
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Acceleration
Published February 2024
Effective from February 2024
This practice information summarises what is meant by ‘acceleration’ in the construction
industry, how acceleration can be achieved in practice, and how it can be valued.
When used in connection with construction contracts, ‘acceleration’ generally refers to increasing the originally planned or current rate of progress of the work so as to complete the project (or, where the contract allows for the project to be completed in sections, a section of the project) earlier than would otherwise be the case.
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. -
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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Surveying safely
Published November 2018
Effective from February 2019
Reissued July 2023
Appropriate management of health and safety is a requirement for all RICS-regulated firms and RICS members, including property-related businesses. The requirement for such management has been put in place in many countries across the globe and across industry sectors and governmental organisations in order to protect individuals from harm.
This professional standard sets out basic, good practice principles for the management of health and safety for RICS-regulated firms and RICS members. It sets out principles for those engaged in the built environment as property professionals and includes health and safety responsibilities:
• at a corporate level (whether the RICS-regulated firm is large or small) and
• at the level of the individual RICS member.
It covers property-related businesses and identifies the moral, ethical and practical issues that confront RICS-regulated firms and RICS members everywhere, in all the work that they undertake.
This document came into effect on 1 February 2019.
This document was reissued in July 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in November 2018 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Defining completion of construction works
Published July 2011
Reissued August 2024
This practice information is intended to summarise the principal features of completion of construction works under a variety of construction contracts. It is intended to be of use to surveyors who are certifying, or providing services in consequence of or in relation to, completion of construction works.
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. -
Cash flow forecasting – UK
Published July 2024
This practice information summarises what cash flow forecasting is, how to produce a useful forecast and how to then use the forecast to assess progress on site as well as other issues, and to assist both employers and contractors to analyse actual expenditure against forecast expenditure.
For the purposes of giving guidance the client is referred to as the 'employer' and the main contractor as 'contractor'. However, much of the guidance can equally be applied to a contractor/sub-contractor or supplier arrangement.
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. -
Cost analysis and benchmarking – UK
Published August 2024
This practice information 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 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. -
Damages for delay to completion
Published May 2024
This practice information introduces the subject of damages for delay to completion by looking at the general principles including areas such as law; reasons for introduction within a contract; amounts of damages, and how sums are deducted, certified or released.
It focuses on how the standard forms of contract deal with damages. A list of the contracts reviewed is included within the table of contents. For liquidated damages this includes how amounts are inserted in the contract and how this is to be deducted or certified.
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. -
Party walls line of junction notice acknowledgment
This letter acknowledges a line of junction notice and agrees upon the terms that the notice is under.
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Conflicts of interest for members acting as dispute resolvers (UK)
Published November 2020
Effective from 1 February 2021
Reissued October 2022
This professional standard covers the appointment of surveyors as arbitrators, independent experts, mediators, adjudicators, and other dispute resolvers.
Surveyors may be appointed as dispute resolvers either by private agreement between the parties in dispute, or via RICS or other formal appointing parties, such as the Law Society or the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
The aim of this second edition professional standard is to provide advice on dealing with possible conflicts of interest for surveyors who are appointed to resolve disputes. It also helps all parties involved in a dispute to understand the main principles and considerations, and to be aware of when an involvement may develop into a conflict of interest.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in November 2020 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Contracts notice of non-completion
A sample notice of non-completion for use with JCT Design and Build contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Contracts pay less notice
A sample pay less notice for use with JCT contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Contracts statement of practical completion
A sample statement of practical completion for use with JCT Design and Build contracts (in PDF and Word format).
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Managing the design delivery (ARCHIVED)
Published March 2012
Archived 16 September 2024
The guidance examines design delivery management (DDM) in the particular context of construction projects, situating it as a key process that connects the various aspects of the construction value chain. DDM is explained as an essential link between response to the client's needs and the construction process, which brings that response into reality as a building, structure or facility. -
EDMS key questions checklist
The volume and diversity of electronic information within the construction industry is constantly increasing. A well-chosen and configured Electronic document management system can significantly enhance the ability of an organisation to store, find, repurpose, archive and generally manage electronic files.
This checklist is for use in evaluating commercial EDM systems. Basic features have been ignored. -
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. -
Retention
Published March 2012
This guidance note introduces the subject by looking at the general principles of retention, including areas such as law; reasons for introduction within a contract; levels of retention, and how amounts are deducted, certified or released.
The guidance note then focuses on how the standard forms of contract deal with the issue. A list of the contracts reviewed is included within the table of contents.
The guidance note reviews methods and limits of deduction, inclusion of the retention amount to be included within the contract, release and set off against sums held.
This guidance note concludes with a review of common issues including areas such as commonly occurring problems; financing; insolvency, and defects rectification.
Guidance is given for each of the main groups of contracts and the forms in most regular use within those groups, under the following headings, which map to the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC): General principles (Level 1 - Knowing), Practical application (Level 2 - Doing), Practical considerations (Level 3 - Doing/Advising).
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. -
Conflict avoidance and dispute resolution in construction
Published April 2012
Effective from April 2012
Reissued August 2024
This practice information summarises what is meant by conflict avoidance and dispute resolution. It identifies the key issues that all surveyors should understand in respect of these distinct substantive areas. It cannot cover every issue or every technique for avoiding disputes, nor can it cover the wide-ranging issues that relate to dispute resolution, the applicable rules or strategies that might be adopted.
Guidance is given in respect of conflict avoidance processes and dispute resolution techniques that are encountered within the industry under the following headings, which follow the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC): General principles (Level 1: Knowing), Practical application (Level 2: Doing), Practical considerations (Level 3: Doing/Advising).
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. -
Alignment of professional, academic and industrial development needs for quantity surveyors: The post recession dynamics (RICS)
Published December 2011
This research aims at investigating the changing developmental needs of quantity surveyors within a post recession industrial environment; one which satisfies the aspirations of industrial, professional and academic stakeholders. -
Community-based protests against construction and engineering projects (RICS)
Published June 2010
Construction and engineering projects can have significant transformation effects on the local, national and international communities in which they are embedded. While they promote employment and stimulate economic growth, they can also displace communities, destroy natural habitat and cause serious social, cultural and environmental degradation. -
Ethics in UK real estate practices (RICS)
Published July 2010
This research investigates professional ethics in small and large surveying practices. -
CONBPS: An expert system to improve the efficiency of the construction process (RICS)
Published April 2003
The aim of the research outlined in this paper is to develop a best practice process model for building projects based on the use of an expert system. The CONstruction Best Practice System (CONBPS) focuses on projects which are based on the traditional procurement strategy, using the JCT 80 standard form of contract. -
Innovation and current practice in large UK quantity surveying firms (RICS)
Published March 2004
This study develops a model of innovation for classifying types of innovation among professional service firms. This framework is used to gather evidence of innovation among the largest UK quantity surveying firms, to discover the sources of knowledge and information contributing to innovative activity and improve understanding of the process of innovation among this type of firm. -
Innovation in small construction knowledge-intensive professional service firms (RICS)
Published December 2006
The aim of this paper is to contribute to the underdeveloped area of innovation in small knowledge-intensive professional services, within a construction industry context, by offering a synthesis of the relevant literature to form a conceptual framework to assist in the understanding of innovation within this type of firm. -
nD modelling - a driver or enabler for construction improvement? (RICS)
Published April 2005
This research explores the concept of nD modelling, presents the current development of the 3D to nD modelling project, lays out the nD modelling opportunities and barriers for implementation, and concludes by examining whether it can be a practical proposition with industry wide applicability or whether it's merely a buzzword destined to remain a PR tool for the big players in the industry. -
Understanding construction alliances: their rationale and design
Alliances are collaborative vehicles which have been set up in response to intense and rapid changes associated with globalisation. This alliance trend is evident in the construction industry.
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An investigation of the issues raised for the construction industry in the United Kingdom by bats (RICS)
Published April 2002
The paper outlines the protection afforded to bats and their roosts, and how it is brought into force in the UK. This protection causes particular problems for construction, and many everyday construction operations that disturb bats and their roosts can be illegal acts. The need for liaison with the relevant statutory bodies is outlined and the detection techniques available for discovering bats are described. -
Improving early cost advice for mechanical and electrical services (RICS)
Published December 2000
This paper addresses the problem of poor communication between clients and building professionals, leading to misinterpretation of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services requirements and inaccurate cost estimates. -
Evaluation of claims checklist
This checklist outlines the evaluation of claims for loss and expense.
Once records have been assembled and listed, the consideration of the claim may be progressed in line with this checklist. -
RICS Forms of Consultant's Appointment (Northern Ireland) (ARCHIVED)
These documents have been archived and are available on isurv for information purposes only.
The latest edition was published in May 2022 and is available to download from: www.isurv.com/info/1557/rics_forms_of_consultant_appointments -
Risk management process
Communication is critical aspect of the risk management process that should occur at every step of the process among the project team, project stakeholders and contractor team.
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Risk management reponsibilities
A typical responsibility split for a major programme or large project.
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Construction employers claims checklist
Checklist for employers claims against contractors in construction disputes.
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Construction contractors claims checklist
Checklist for contractors claims against employers in construction disputes.
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TUPE: information for property managers (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
TUPE stands for The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. New regulations to update TUPE 2006 came into force on 31 January 2014 under The Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
The purpose of TUPE is to provide employment protection on the transfer of a business from one individual to another or a change in responsibility for a contracted out service. In applying it, employment tribunals generally adopt what they call a ‘purposive’ approach, which effectively means they interpret TUPE to protect employees in line with the social objectives of the European ARD. -
Construction sectors and roles for chartered quantity surveyors (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This information paper summarises what is meant by the construction sectors before going on to review the various roles for the chartered quantity surveyor within the UK construction industry.
This is part of the RICS QS and construction standards (the 'Black Book').
Please be aware that this guidance note contains some material which is in the process of being updated for revisions to the CDM Regulations, RIBA Plan of Work, and updates to the JCT, NEC and FIDIC suites. Members are made aware of these impending revisions in order that they first check the most up to date position before electing to act in accordance with this guidance document. -
Appointing a project manager
The aim of this publication is to provide practical advice and guidance to individuals and organisations involved in the commissioning or procurement of project management services as well as RICS members in England and Wales undertaking the role of project manager in relation to building works contracts.
The role of the project manager covers a wide range of possible services and projects from the smallest residential scheme through to larger infrastructure projects. The responsibilities of the project manager will be defined initially by the professional appointment under which they are employed and then by the form of building contract used for the works.
Please note: while the content of this guidance note contains textual material which is still current and able to be used in practice, it is acknowledged that a number of references in the Appendices are now out of date and need to be changed to reflect the subsequent publication of other documents. -
Developing a construction procurement strategy and selecting an appropriate route
Published August 2024
This practice information discusses construction procurement routes and the development of a procurement strategy. The guidance aims to help professionals choose an appropriate route, setting out their advantages and disadvantages. -
Construction security and performance documents
Published May 2013
Effective from May 2013
Reissued August 2024
This practice information reviews security and performance documents normally associated with a construction project, noting the main types of document, the parties to them, their purpose and general terms.
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.
This document was reissued in August 2024 as practice information. It had previously been published in May 2013 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Design and specification
Published: June 2013
This first edition guidance note provides professional practitioners with best practice guidance relevant to the tasks and processes of design and specification for small- to medium-size construction projects. -
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. -
The future of Private Finance Initiative and Public Private Partnership (RICS)
Published June 2011
This report presents a timely and credible evidence base to enable RICS to inform and guide members and other key stakeholder groupings on the challenges and opportunities afforded by PPPs.
More than 40 countries have implemented the PPP model across a diverse range of infrastructural provision and service delivery arrangements.
The key findings from the report are presented under a series of thematic headings and reflect the views and experiences of a diverse range of stakeholder groupings across 5 key PPP markets: Australia, Canada, India, the UK and the US. -
Capital allowances and land remediation relief (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This first edition guidance note introduces surveyors and other professionals to the subjects of capital allowances and land remediation relief in a UK context.
This is part of the RICS QS and Construction Standards.
Please be aware that this guidance note contains some material which is in the process of being updated for revisions to the CDM Regulations, RIBA Plan of Work, and updates to the JCT, NEC and FIDIC suites. Members are made aware of these impending revisions in order that they first check the most up to date position before electing to act in accordance with this guidance document. -
Rights of light - typical information required by an insurer
This download shows some typical information that might be required by an insurer in a rights to light case.
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The global infrastructure challenge: the role of PPP in a new financial and economic paradigm (RICS)
Published October 2013
The infrastructure investment challenge has commanded increasing levels of attention among national governments in recent years. The Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in response to the infrastructure investment challenge has been adopted in more than 40 countries around the world amid budgetary constraints and in the absence of a ‘viable alternative’.
This research provides an updated position on the global PPP market and the role PPP could occupy in redressing the global infrastructure investment gap.
RICS research content is available to everyone, free of charge on the RICS website. Non-members will need to register. RICS members and registered non-members will need to login to see the particular research items. See also the full list of RICS research held on rics.org -
Strategic facilities management (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note applies globally. It provides practitioners with operational pointers to best practice in the management of facilities, while exploring the depth of the facilities management discipline and the advantages to organisations which position the facilities role appropriately within their corporate structures.
It supersedes a previous guidance note: The strategic role of facilities management in business performance, 2nd edition. -
Defects and rectifications
Published August 2024
Aimed at construction professionals who manage defective construction work or those who have to address the consequences when it occurs.
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. -
Dilapidations (Hong Kong) (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This publication is an adaptation of the RICS guidance note: Dilapidations, 6th edition (England and Wales), providing guidance to RICS members operating in Hong Kong.
It is intended to: adapt UK best practices for RICS members in Hong Kong dealing with dilapidations in leased premises, particularly dilapidation claims, forfeiture and break clauses in the lease/tenancy, and dispute settlement; and introduce a Schedule of Dilapidation (SD) Scheme to deal with dilapidations in Hong Kong. -
Cash flow forecasting – global (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This publication provides best practice guidance on cash flow forecasting for project and cost managers in all world regions.
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.
Please be aware that this guidance note contains some material which is in the process of being updated for revisions to the CDM Regulations, RIBA Plan of Work, and updates to the JCT, NEC and FIDIC suites. Members are made aware of these impending revisions in order that they first check the most up to date position before electing to act in accordance with this guidance document. -
Cost analysis and benchmarking – Chinese translation (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This is part of the RICS QS and Construction Standards.
Please be aware that this guidance note contains some material which is in the process of being updated for revisions to the CDM Regulations, RIBA Plan of Work, and updates to the JCT, NEC and FIDIC suites. Members are made aware of these impending revisions in order that they first check the most up to date position before electing to act in accordance with this guidance document. -
Technical due diligence of commercial, industrial and residential property in Continental Europe (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Technical due diligence reports, which detail the physical condition of a property, are increasingly in demand throughout continental Europe, as financial institutions, investors and owner-occupiers look ever more closely at the risks of buying and selling property. -
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. -
Stakeholder engagement (ARCHIVED)
Published September 2014
Archived 17 September 2024
This guidance note outlines the principles of effective stakeholder engagement, providing readers with practical guidance through a series of 'real world' case examples and advice from experienced practitioners. -
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. -
Appropriate contract selection
Published April 2024
This practice information discusses the various types of construction contract that are available for use in the UK. It also discusses the factors to consider when choosing the most appropriate construction contract for a particular project.
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. -
Extensions of time
Published November 2014
Effective from 10 February 2015
Reissued July 2024
Delays occur on most construction projects, and always have done. At some point during a project, particular parts of the works, or the works as a whole, will not progress as quickly as planned, with the risk that the contractual completion date will not be met.
This practice information covers:
- costs of delay
- background to extension of time clauses
- delay assessments using BIM and
- strengths and weaknesses of delay analysis methods.
This document was reissued in July 2024 as RICS practice information. It had previously been published in November 2014 as an RICS guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document.
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. -
Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews
Published April 2013
Effective from April 2013
Reissued December 2023
This professional standard is designed primarily to assist those who are appointed to act as arbitrator, either by the President of RICS, or directly by the parties to a dispute. It is also intended to assist the parties themselves and those acting for them by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed.
See also: Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2014).
This document was reissued in December 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in April 2013 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews
Published February 2014
This 9th edition guidance note is designed primarily to assist those who are appointed either by the President of RICS, or directly by the parties to a dispute, to act as an independent expert to determine their dispute. It is also intended to assist the parties themselves and those acting for them by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed.
See also: Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2013).
The previous 8th edition is available on isurv for information purposes only. -
BIM for beginners
The built environment sector is full of debate about BIM. In these times it is crucial to be clear on the current and future state of BIM.
This document is based on key points from the RICS guidance note 'International BIM implementation guide'. It gives a brief introduction to BIM for those who have yet to work with it. It looks at:
- what BIM is
- the technology behind BIM
- how BIM is used in project delivery and
- the implications of BIM on organisations. -
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
Published January 2018
Effective from 1 May 2018
Reissued May 2024
Following the publication of IPMS: All Buildings, please note this document is in the process of being updated. Please see the RICS website for further updates.
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. -
Management of risk
Published June 2015
Effective from 25 September 2015
The aim of this guidance note is to provide a reference point for professionals on the discipline of risk management.
This guidance note provides details of the general principles of risk management and provides practical applications and considerations for successful implementation.
This guidance note covers:
- key principles of risk management
- response/mitigation strategies and
- risk identification techniques.
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. -
Ascertaining loss and expense
Published July 2024
Effective from publication
Originally published as a guidance note in 2015, this document has been rewritten as practice information to account for changes in legislation, case law and construction contracts introduced since 2015.
The ascertainment of loss and expense is a set of tasks that endeavour to calculate as precisely as possible, and in accordance with the contract, the additional costs or losses incurred by one party directly due to a default of the other.
This practice information covers:
- what is loss and expense
- standard forms of contracts
- global claims
- methods of analysis of loss and expense and
- strengths and weaknesses of the various methods.
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. -
Surveyors acting as expert witnesses in Scotland
Published August 2015
Effective from 6 November 2015
This 1st edition of Surveyors acting as expert witnesses in Scotland applies to surveyors when providing expert evidence, whether oral or written, before a range of courts and tribunals in Scotland.
This document:
- explains the need for clear instructions and terms of engagement
- gives guidance on what to do in situations of conflict of interest
- outlines the written report format
- clarifies the differences between the roles of expert and advocate
- helps remove pressure upon experts to support their clients’ cases irrespective of their honest professional opinion.
This practice statement is also published in the form of an accompanying client guide, a copy of which can be supplied by the expert witness to the prospective client. This guide may be provided without copyright permission; however, the expert witness must make clear to the prospective client that his/her copy is for his/her use only, and that any reproduction of the guide for the use of a third party would breach RICS copyright, as specified in PS 3.4(b).
The foreword by Lord Doherty that accompanies this guidance note was amended in February 2016 in order to cite updated case law from the United Kingdom Supreme Court. -
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. -
Interim valuations and payment
Published August 2015
Effective from 12 November 2015
Most construction contracts require interim payments to be paid to the contractor. This is to relieve the contractor of the burden of financing the whole of the works until completion; works which may take many months or years to complete.
This guidance note covers:
- conditions of contract
- payment mechanisms
- retention
- valuation process and
- standard forms and covering letters.
This guidance note contains some material that is in the process of being updated for revisions to the CDM Regulations, RIBA Plan of Work, and updates to the JCT, NEC and FIDIC suites. Members are made aware of these impending revisions in order that they first check the most up to date position before electing to act in accordance with this guidance document.
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. -
Utilization of BIM in construction cost and project management practices (RICS)
Published June 2015
The report analyses the factors shaping the development of BIM in the North American, Chinese and UK construction industries and provides insight in how to navigate these. -
BIM and the value dimension (RICS)
Published June 2015
The central question this research report addresses is how BIM can support the activities and professional services delivered by property professionals.
RICS research content is available to everyone, free of charge on the RICS website. Non-members will need to register. RICS members and registered non-members will need to login to see the particular research items. See also the full list of RICS research held on rics.org -
The informed infrastructure client
Published September 2015
Effective from 1 December 2015
This guidance note is intended for RICS members practising in the infrastructure sector, either providing services to an infrastructure client or working within an infrastructure client organisation. -
How Can Building Information Modelling (BIM) Support The New Rules of Measurement (NRM1) (RICS)
Published January 2014
The research piece investigates the required information from a BIM model to support the RICS New Rule of Measurement order of cost estimating and elemental cost planning, (NRM1).
The report reviews the four most well-known tools in the UK market, namely, Solibri model checker, Autodesk QTO, CostX and Causeway BIM measure, based on a set of criteria which is relevant to the NRM1 cost estimating and cost planning exercise.
RICS research content is available to everyone, free of charge on the RICS website. Non-members will need to register. RICS members and registered non-members will need to login to see the particular research items. See also the full list of RICS research held on rics.org -
Commercial management of construction
Published March 2016
Effective from 21 June 2016
Reissued August 2024
The role of a commercial manager, and the commercial management functions performed, play a critical part in the commercial and financial success of a construction project or of any other business.
This practice information outlines the role of commercial management in construction, providing a framework of guidance covering the most common tasks that a commercial manager will perform on a construction project.
This document was reissued in August 2024 as practice information. It had previously been published in March 2016 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document.
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. -
Life cycle costing
Published April 2016
Effective from 1 July 2016
This guidance note summarises what is meant by a life cycle costing and whole life costing service for both new construction works and for the refurbishment of existing assets.
Covered in this guidance note:
- standards and definitions
- essentials of life cycle costing
- worked examples.
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. -
Lessons learned
Published April 2016
Effective from 1 May 2016
Focusing on the fundamental question of why projects fail, this guidance outlines some of the most commonly occurring reasons for failure and offers practical solutions in the context of applying the lessons learned.
Although the main emphasis is on the built environment, case examples and lessons learned are drawn from a variety of sectors, including infrastructure and IT. The guidance note also stresses the importance of capturing the knowledge acquired during the planning and delivery of a project, and making best use of this for the benefit of future projects.
This guidance has global application, with case examples drawn from various countries. -
The practice of stakeholder engagement in infrastructure projects (RICS)
Published March 2016
Using East West Link in Melbourne and Crossrail in London as case studies, this research analyses stakeholder engagement in the planning and development phase of public infrastructure projects. -
Driving commercial performance in major projects and programmes (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This information paper outlines some of the key challenges facing the UK infrastructure construction industry and the requirement to improve commercial performance in line with government targets relating to effectiveness and efficiency. -
Construction cost and commercial management services in the UK and China (RICS)
Published May 2016
This research compares the two of the most popular mainstream cost management systems in the world promoting construction cost management consultants to better understand complex client needs. -
The hub and the place (RICS)
Published June 2016
This research takes an in-depth look at the issues related to infrastructure delivery, by examining three case studies of rail transport hubs and their surrounding environment and urban development in the UK, China and India. -
Residential property measurement practice – evidence from world regions (RICS)
Published September 2016
The report by University of Ulster investigated local property measurement practice across five world regions and attempted to quantify the measurement choices made locally. -
The role of the commercial manager in infrastructure
Published January 2017
Effective from January 2017
This RICS guidance note sets out how the role of the commercial manager is both expanding and deepening in the fast evolving field of infrastructure. It describes how the commercial manager should bring professional skill and influence through the infrastructure project lifecycle and demonstrates the importance of understanding and translating the investment case into disciplined processes; recognising the impact of scale and the uniqueness of engineering not seen elsewhere in general practice, and tailoring the approach to cost, risk and engaging the supply chain. -
Value management and value engineering
Published January 2017
Effective from 1 May 2017
Reissued September 2024
This 1st edition practice information introduces the concepts of value management and value engineering as they relate to construction projects and to the role of chartered surveyors, who have a key role to play in helping manage value across the project.
Value management and value engineering are both concerned with increasing the ratio between benefit (outputs) and the cost or effort (inputs) required, but are often separated in terms of their timing and their scale. But value is also a relative concept, and one of the roles of project management, supply chain procurement and overall procurement is to manage these imbalances so that the project as a whole provides value to the client.
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.
This document was reissued in September 2024 as practice information. It had previously been published in January 2017 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
JCT Minor Works Building Contract 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Minor Works Building Contract 2016.
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JCT Minor Works Building Contract 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Minor Works Building Contract 2016.
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JCT Minor Works Building Contract with contractor's design 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Minor Works Building Contract with contractor's design 2016.
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JCT Minor Works Building Contract with contractor's design 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Minor Works Building Contract with contractor's design 2016.
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JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2016.
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JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2016.
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JCT Intermediate Building Contract with contractor's design 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with contractor's design 2016.
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JCT Intermediate Building Contract with contractor's design 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with contractor's design 2016.
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JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Quantities 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Quantities 2016.
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JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Quantities 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Quantities 2016.
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JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Approximate Quantities 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Approximate Quantities 2016.
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JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Approximate Quantities 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract With Approximate Quantities 2016.
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JCT Standard Form of Building Contract Without Quantities 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract Without Quantities 2016.
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JCT Standard Form of Building Contract Without Quantities 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract Without Quantities 2016.
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JCT Design and Build Contract 2016 (Word)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Design and Build Contract 2016.
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JCT Design and Build Contract 2016 (PDF)
RICS contract administration forms for use with the JCT Design and Build Contract 2016.
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Conflicts of interest – global
Published March 2017
Effective from 1 January 2018
Reissued July 2023
The global professional standard on conflicts of interest provides clear rules for RICS members and regulated firms to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest.
Effective identification and management of conflicts of interest is an essential component of professionalism. The professional standard provides confidence to clients and consumers that RICS members and regulated firms are operating to the highest ethical standards.
Following extensive industry consultation and feedback, RICS developed this professional standard to provide clarification on:
- competing bidders
- effective date/transition
- conflicts arising during professional assignments
- passing confidential information to insurers and legal advisers.
The conflicts of interest professional standard, which supports the RICS Rules of Conduct, places an overarching mandatory requirement on all RICS members and regulated firms and specifies RICS’ expectations of how compliance with the Rules of Conduct should be achieved.
This document was reissued in July 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in March 2017 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Conflicts of interest: UK commercial property market investment agency
Published May 2017
Effective from 1 January 2018
Reissued June 2024
This professional standard provides RICS members and RICS regulated firms with mandatory requirements when acting on the open market sale or acquisition of a commercial investment real estate opportunity in the UK in order to avoid conflicts of interest prejudicial to their clients’ best interests.
It covers:
- dual agency, including related firms
- multiple introductions and
- incremental advice.
This document was reissued in June 2024 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in May 2017 as a professional statement. No material changes have been made to the document.
See also RICS' global professional standard 'Conflicts of interest' at: www.isurv.com/downloads/download/2140/conflicts_of_interest_–_global -
Employer's agent: design and build
Published October 2017
Effective from 1 January 2018
Reissued September 2024
Employer’s agent: design and build is intended for use in conjunction with the JCT Design and Build Contract where an agent will be appointed by the employer to represent them. This practice information considers the role and responsibilities of the employer’s agent and other non-core pre-contract activities.
This practice information includes:
- definition of employer’s agent
- commencement of the role
- competence, technical ability and experience and
- appointment documents/service agreement.
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.
This document was reissued in September 2024 as practice information. It had previously been published in October 2017 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment
Published 19 September 2023
Reissued 21 November 2023
Effective from 1 July 2024
This professional standard will enable professionals to make prudent decisions to limit the whole life carbon impact of buildings and infrastructure. It facilitates carbon measurement from the production of construction materials to the design, construction and eventual end of life of built assets. -
Countering bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing
Published February 2019
Effective from 1 September 2019
Reissued October 2022
This global professional standard sets out mandatory requirements for RICS members and RICS-regulated firms in relation to bribery, corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.
It is divided into three parts:
1. Mandatory requirements for anti-bribery and corruption and for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing.
2. Guidance setting out supporting good practice regarding each of these areas.
3. Supplementary guidance on some key concepts described in parts 1 and 2.
If this document contradicts local legislation then the legislation takes precedence. -
Cost reduction and deployment of prefabricated building integrated photovoltaics
This research evaluates the mechanisms driving the cost reductions and deployment of prefabricated Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and explores the benefits, including aesthetics, of integrating photovoltaics within building materials and the challenges that need to be overcome.
Technology development, commercialisation, and manufacturing scaling have contributed significantly to rapid reductions in solar photovoltaic hardware costs. However, the soft costs, including design, financing, procurement, permitting, installation, labour, and inspection, have not declined rapidly. The lack of economic confidence and the lack of collaboration between the PV and building industries make the integration of prefabricated solar panels to the building envelope difficult. This research evaluates the mechanisms driving the cost reductions and deployment of prefabricated BIPV. The research aims to formalise a deployment framework by empirically breaking down prefabricated BIPV cost trajectories into a set of low- and high-level factors and identify their reduction potentials. -
Surveyors advising in respect of the Electronic Communications Code
Published November 2019
Effective from 14 November 2019
Reissued 2 August 2024
The electronic communications sector has witnessed dramatic evolution both in terms of the development of new technologies and the demand for services. This has resulted in a profound shift in the way digital electronic communications are deployed, accessed and used. The government acknowledged this by enacting the Electronic Communications Code at the end of 2017, as part of the Digital Economy Act 2017, to facilitate the delivery and maintenance of high quality digital electronic communications infrastructure and to accommodate future technological development. The Code regulates the relationship between electronic communications network operators, infrastructure providers and site providers throughout the UK and provides a statutory framework for establishing agreements to place, operate and maintain electronic communications apparatus on land and property.
The government’s objective is to achieve the right balance of interests between site providers, electronic communications providers and, most importantly, the public interest in access to a choice of high-quality electronic communications services, and a competitive and sustainable digital communications infrastructure.
The aim of this standard is to highlight the main factors that may influence or impact the variety of roles a surveyor may be called on to perform within this environment. Given the dynamic nature of the industry, it is not intended to provide an exhaustive body of guidance but to identify the main issues likely to arise. This ground-breaking guidance note will also provide a framework that surveyors can refer to when advising their clients in relation to electronic communications networks and installations that fall under the scope of the Electronic Communications Code. -
Beyond COVID-19: Reopening of commercial buildings
This document has global applicability and is designed to give support and advice on the preparations and considerations for the reopening of commercial buildings once pandemic lockdown restrictions are lifted.
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Beyond COVID-19: Inspections and visits for non-domestic properties
Recommendations on inspections and visits for non-domestic properties during COVID-19 in England.
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Change control and management
Published January 2021
Effective from 1 April 2021
Reissued March 2024
This practice information gives advice on how to handle changes proposed and made after a contract is agreed and covers the role of the person requiring the change, whether the employer’s agent, the project manager or the contract administrator. It also looks at the contrast between a change and a variation and the different circumstances that apply to each, with reference to relevant contract provisions. This practice information supports the RICS core competency of Contract practice.
This practice information does not detail issues such as organisational change that might be taking place at the same time as the project, which could affect change and its management. Neither does it address value management or value engineering – professionals are encouraged to refer to the relevant RICS document for such information.
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. -
Subcontracting
Published April 2021
Effective from 1 July 2021
This guidance note covers most issues that can arise as a result of subcontracting on a major project, but some of these issues will not arise on most smaller projects. It is necessarily limited in its content and focuses on subcontracting in the context of building and civil engineering projects in the UK, but not private finance initiative (PFI) projects. It does not cover the management of subcontractors on site, or the role of suppliers of materials or goods.
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 Forms of Consultant's Appointment (England and Wales)
Published May 2022
RICS has published a new edition of the RICS Forms of Consultant’s Appointment.
RICS members and others involved in the appointment of surveyors are encouraged to use these Forms for a wide variety of different disciplines within the construction process and related fields.
The Appointment Forms are published in three separate versions: Standard, Short and Short Designated, with explanatory notes provided on how the Forms and Scope documents are to be used.
Versions for Northern Ireland and Scotland have also been published. -
RICS Forms of Consultant's Appointment (Northern Ireland)
Published May 2022
RICS has published a new edition of the RICS Forms of Consultant’s Appointment.
RICS members and others involved in the appointment of surveyors are encouraged to use these Forms for a wide variety of different disciplines within the construction process and related fields.
The Appointment Forms are published in three separate versions: Standard, Short and Short Designated, with explanatory notes provided on how the Forms and Scope documents are to be used.
Versions for England and Wales and Scotland have also been published. -
RICS Forms of Consultant's Appointment (Scotland)
Published May 2022
RICS has published a new edition of the RICS Forms of Consultant’s Appointment.
RICS members and others involved in the appointment of surveyors are encouraged to use these Forms for a wide variety of different disciplines within the construction process and related fields.
The Appointment Forms are published in three separate versions: Standard, Short and Short Designated, with explanatory notes provided on how the Forms and Scope documents are to be used.
Versions for England and Wales and Northern Ireland have also been published. -
RICS Forms of Consultant's Appointment (Scotland) (ARCHIVED)
These documents have been archived and are available on isurv for information purposes only.
The latest edition was published in May 2022 and is available to download from: www.isurv.com/info/1557/rics_forms_of_consultant_appointments -
The future of BIM: digital transformation in the UK construction and infrastructure sector
Published July 2020
Reissued April 2023
The industry is now on the verge of the fourth industrial revolution: digitalisation is having a profound impact on the work itself, the way the industry works together, and it will drastically affect surveyors’ abilities to progress innovation and create better places and spaces for future generations. Building information modelling (BIM) and the accompanying use of a common data environment (CDE) form the bedrock of this transformation.
As clients increasingly look to technology for solutions that create efficiencies, RICS professionals need to gain a better-informed understanding of the potential of BIM, how it is evolving, and vitally, how they can take advantage of its development to stay ahead of the curve.
Within this practice information, we look at how BIM has evolved and merged into a much broader paradigm in the UK, and how this might set an example for other markets. As the UK transitioned from national to ISO standards, the focus has shifted from considering adoption and implementation of BIM as the end goal to using BIM and CDE as a catalyst to promote a holistic shift towards a model-driven approach to the design, delivery and operation of constructed assets.
The practice information provides answers about the evolving ‘what’ and ‘why’ of BIM and its potential for surveyors, including:
- the background to BIM
- the need to innovate
- why the development of the definition of BIM needs to be explored and
- the need for surveyors to examine the digital technologies available, and a plan of action for implementing them.
This document was reissued in April 2023 as practice information. It had previously been published in July 2020 as an insight paper. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Residential retrofit standard
Published 19 March 2024
Effective from 31 October 2024
RICS’ first residential retrofit standard has been created in response to growing demand for retrofit services. It ensures that consumers carrying out retrofit upgrades to a residential property receive advice from skilled, regulated professionals, and protects the public interest by upholding high standards in a growing market.
This UK professional standard sets out a series of concise mandatory and recommended requirements and is effective from 31 October 2024, establishing benchmarks that guide RICS members in delivering residential retrofit services tailored to their clients' evolving needs.
The implementation of this standard represents an opportunity for RICS residential property surveyors to both upskill and embrace sustainable working practices in response to the growing demand. According to UK government statistics, residential retrofits need to increase to a rate of 500,000 per year by 2025, and one million per year by 2030 to meet the decarbonisation target. Hence, there is a market need for a standard that facilitates reliability and consistency and provides a foundation for professional indemnity. -
BCIS Elemental standard form of cost analysis
Published April 2012
Accurate cost analysis is essential as new procurement practices are making a targeted cost plan central to the entire construction process. Cost analysis provides data to allow comparisons between the costs of various building functions with equivalent functions in other projects so that information from existing projects can inform the budgeting and benchmarking of future projects.
The principles, instructions and definitions of the 4th edition clarify the definitions and rules of previous editions in light of modern building design and construction techniques and take into account some practical issues arising from RICS' new rules of measurement (NRM1) and (NRM2).
The 4th edition sets out:
- the principles of analysis
- instructions on the information required to complete a costs analysis
- general definitions
- definitions of the elements and sub-elements and
- element unit quantities.
It also contains example analysis forms, describes the BCIS elemental XML schema and the BCIS analysis writer programme.