Quantification and Costing

Question 1

What is the NRM?

Answer 1

New Rules of Measurement. It replaced the SMM7. Provides measurement rules and guidance. Published by the RICS.

Question 2

What are the volumes of NRM?

Answer 2

NRM1 – order of cost estimate and cost planning. NRM2 – detailed measurement for building works. NRM3 – building maintenance.

Question 3

When would you use NRM1?

Answer 3

When producing an order of cost estimating. When producing cost plans. RIBA stages 1-3. It provides an elemental breakdown to budget against.

Question 4

When would you use NRM2?

Answer 4

When preparing detailed bill of quantities. When preparing a very detailed cost plan. RIBA stage 4+

Question 5

When would you use NRM3?

Answer 5

Post construction maintenance work. Can be used at early stages to provide cost estimates for maintenance work after handover.

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of NRM?

Answer 6

Pros: Provides clarity around measurement across the industry. Standardised method of referencing measures to allow easy tracking. Improved accuracy. Cons: Can be challenging to read for someone with little to no experience. Complex. Time consuming.

Question 7

How would I measure an RC wall using NRM?

Answer 7

I would use NRM2 and split the RC core into its core components – concrete, formwork, reinforcement and finishing. I’d measure the length, height and width of the walls, making no deductions for openings. I’d use these measures to calculate the concrete volume and formwork area. The rebar can be quantified accurately in line with NRM, however in my experience most designs provide a kg/m3 which I would use.

Question 8

What is BCIS?

Answer 8

Building Cost Information Services. Online data base with cost data from thousands of historic projects. Also provides data on carbon.

Question 9

What is BCIS used for in regard to costs?

Answer 9

Providing high level cost estimates for potential projects.

Question 10

When would you use BCIS?

Answer 10

RIBA Stage 0-2. When minimal design information is available to provide a detailed cost estimate.

Question 11

How would you provide a cost estimate using BCIS?

Answer 11

I would use whatever information is available to find a similar project on BCIS. I would then rebase the estimate depending on time and location. I would make necessary adjustments for bespoke items. For example, if I am providing a cost estimate for a house and I have found a similar house on BCIS (i.e same amount of bathrooms, bedrooms and size) but the client wants a swimming pool, I would make necessary adjustments to my estimate.

Question 12

What are building/construction cost indices?

Answer 12

Movement in costs throughout the course of construction.

Question 13

What are tender price indices?

Answer 13

Movement in cost for which the job was tendered from.

Question 14

What is a location index?

Answer 14

An adjustment made depending on where the project is located. SPONs is based on outer London. Refer to the table in Part 1 of SPONs for indices.

Question 15

How did I measure the external walls?

Answer 15

Measured along the centre line with no deductions for windows or doors.

Question 16

How did I measure the internal partitions?

Answer 16

Measured along the centre line with no deductions for windows or doors.