Most significant launch of guidance for surveyors in 30 years - includes new standards on using BIM

The RICS has launched a revised ‘Black Book’ of guidance for surveyors, in its most significant release for 30 years.

The Black Book is a comprehensive set of documents defining good technical standards in quantity surveying and construction.

RICS also launched a new raft of New Rules of Measurement (NRM), which take into account working with Building Information Modelling.

The guidance was launched at a high profile event at RICS HQ today, attended by speakers including chief construction advisor Paul Morrell, Balfour Beatty’s chief executive officer of construction services Mike Peasland, and head of delivery at Development Securities Duncan Trench.

Morrell said: “The industry is going through a period of great change, with new contractual arrangements, new tools and technologies, new ways of working and new business models.

“There will always, however, be a need for standards, and for the disciplines of measurement.

“The launch of the RICS “Black Book” of practice standards is a timely contribution to both needs, and coupled with the NRM they will help to equip the profession with the means to maintain a high quality of service and advice to its clients through this time of transformation.”

Alan Muse, director of built environment professional groups at RICS, said: “Endorsed by industry and welcomed by government, the Black Book and NRM suite see RICS delivering real value to its members and the construction industry in defining what ‘good’ looks like.

“The use of these standards will provide clients with greater certainty and consistency in the construction process and will reduce risk, enabling a level playing field for clients to measure expectations against when procuring services, and for practitioners to benchmark their performance against. 

“Clients and employers will likely reap cost and good practice efficiencies through the standardisation of construction and procurement costs and processes.

“If followed, these standards will form the basis of an efficient, cost effective industry.”

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