RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM) Overview.
The RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM) suite provides a standardized set of measurement rules and cost presentation formats for UK construction. NRM 1 covers order of cost estimating, NRM 2 covers detailed measurement for procurement, and NRM 3 covers maintenance and asset management.
Authored by Alexandr Vreme | Reviewed by Maksym Vasylkov
Published — Next review
Who this guide is for
Quantity surveyors, estimators, and commercial managers. Scope: UK-wide.
The NRM Suite Explained
- NRM 1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works (early stage design feasibility).
- NRM 2: Detailed measurement for building works (compiling Bills of Quantities and tender schedules).
- NRM 3: Order of cost estimating and element cost planning for building maintenance and facilities management.
Why Standardization Matters
Using NRM standard rules ensures all pricing parties measure quantities on identical terms (e.g. net in-place measurements with separate allowances for waste and laps).
Miniature Example
An estimator following NRM 2 measures plasterboard net wall area (140 m²) and includes fixings, joints, and waste as part of the composite rate build-up rather than guessing gross board counts.
Primary Sources & Further Reading
Official reference sources: GOV.UK Building Regulations, Legislation.gov.uk, and HSE CDM 2015 Guidance.
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