The RICS New Rules of Measurement come in three parts. NRM 1 covers order of cost estimating and elemental cost planning — the early-stage work that turns a brief into a budget. NRM 2 is the detailed measurement rules for building works — the structured language a Bill of Quantities is written in. NRM 3 covers building maintenance works.

On a domestic project you’re mostly seeing NRM 1 logic in feasibility appraisals and NRM 2 logic in take-offs and cost plans. We work proportionately — a Plymouth bathroom doesn’t need a full BoQ, but the same measurement discipline behind the scenes makes the price defensible.

Ask your QS which methodology underpins their numbers. If the answer is vague, the numbers might be too.