ICMS Explained

A user guide for the International

Construction Measurement Standards

rics.org/icmsexplained
ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Purpose of this
user guide
Explanatory notes
To provide a brief guide of the background, structure,
content and potential use for ICMS, together with various
appendices, which provide further and more detailed
guidance and worked examples.

For global RICS professionals

This user guide is intended for use by RICS and other
relevant professionals to make use of ICMS as part of a
client instruction or other relevant work. This work can be
done on behalf or by investors, funders, clients, consultants
and contractors across all aspects of construction.
It assumes a level of competency and experience in cost
reporting and data analysis. For further help or support
please refer to appendix C for relevant contact details,
or visit rics.org to find out more.
 rics.org/icmsexplained

Philosophy of ICMS One of the strengths of ICMS is that it treats buildings and
each separate class of civil engineering project in the same
structured way.

Objectives Projects and sub-projects

ICMS are principles-based international standards that set A ‘project’ is considered as a stand-alone piece of
out how to report, group and classify construction project construction work where the cost classification can be
costs in a structured and logical form. As far as RICS is presented for that building or civil engineering piece of
concerned, it is the first step in creating a seamless, global, work. A ‘project’ can also be a ‘wrapper’ for a series of
pyramidal hierarchy of construction cost classification: ‘sub-projects’, where each sub-project is distinct and
from high-level global cost benchmarking to granular, local comprises part of the overall development. However, if
cost measurement. one building is designed and built for multi-use, such as a
tower-built mixed-use development that contains residential,
Why is it important? commercial office space, retail and hotel accommodation,
then this would be considered a single ‘project’.
As property, construction and infrastructure continues to
be increasingly global in extent and operation, there is a

Structure, format
real need for international consistency in something as
fundamental as construction cost classification. Historically,
these processes have followed local and regional custom
and practice, which has made comparison across the
world more difficult, leading to confusion, uncertainty and
lack of confidence from key stakeholders.
and layout of ICMS
Combining buildings and ICMS framework – concept
civil engineering overview
ICMS deal with construction cost classification across References in this user guide to page numbers, Sections,
buildings and civil engineering (infrastructure) type Tables and Schedules are related to ICMS, first edition,
projects. Never has a single standard document sought published in July 2017.
to combine all elements of construction.
Section 2.1 of ICMS (Figure 1) sets out an overview of
‘Buildings’ are defined in ICMS as ‘a construction with the framework with various cost classification levels, the
a cover and enclosure to house people, equipment component parts of which are explained in this guide. All of
or goods’ and includes all functional types, such as the terms and definitions in each case are set out in the list
residential, offices, retail and industrial. The definition of of definitions at ICMS section 1.2):
which functional type applies is then set out in the relevant
Level 1: ‘projects or sub-projects’ – these relate to either
description of the project.
‘buildings’, or ‘civil engineering/infrastructure’ classified
In the case of civil engineering or infrastructure projects, projects individually, although the treatment of both types
these are presented as separate project classifications, is the same.
each defined by their principal purpose. The principal
In the case of ‘buildings’, the description of the functional
project classifications identified currently include roads,
type of the building under consideration is given in the
railways, bridges, tunnels, waste water treatment works,
project attributes for the ‘Works’ in Schedule 1 – a
water treatment works, pipelines, wells and boreholes,
selection of sample building functional types are provided
power-generating plants, chemical plants and refineries.
(such as residential, office and commercial) together
For each project classification, the definition of which
with the opportunity to add any other functional type not
functional type applies (for example: bridges, roads, rail,
specifically listed.
pedestrians, etc.) is then set out in the relevant description
of the project. In the case of ‘civil engineering/infrastructure’ type
projects, there are 11 classified types of such projects
The separate classification for civil engineering projects has
listed, these being considered the most common
been decided for presentation within ICMS because the
infrastructure type projects that typically exist and again,
characteristics and purpose of each are sufficiently different
for each classification a selection of sample functional
from each other to warrant separate sections. On the
types is provided (such as road, rail, pipeline for tunnels)
other hand, any differences in the functional types for each
together with the opportunity to add any other functional
project can be captured in the project attributes section.
type not specifically listed.

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Appropriate skill and judgement is needed by the Design fees incurred and paid for by the constructor
construction cost adviser if the ‘building’ being cost should be included elsewhere within the capital
classified (say, a shopping centre, railway station or airport construction costs and a suitable note added to the
terminal) contains within the development an element of attributes section and
surface access roads (and car parking). It is suggested, as
risk allowances (sometimes known as contingency).
4 
a principle, that, unless they are of significant scope, the
roads and car parking cost is included within the building Site acquisition and client’s other costs: this will
cost classification (within the ‘external works’ cost group) typically include the cost to acquire the site and all non-
rather than being classified as separate projects. directly construction-related costs incurred by the client,
Further, appropriate skill and judgement is needed by such as fees incurred with lawyers, marketing, funders, etc.
the construction cost adviser as to whether (for example, Construction cost advisers may not be aware of the site
a small ancillary structure within a larger project) should acquisition cost incurred by the client or the site may have
merely be considered as part of the whole or whether it been within the ownership of the client for some time,
should be placed into and cost reported as a separate sub- appropriate notes should be added to the project attributes
project. Given that ICMS are intended to be a ‘high-level’ section to make clear the status of the site purchase cost.
framework model, it is impossible to provide meaningful
guidance on the multitude of variants that will exist. Do not include in this cost group the current open-market
valuation of the site as an asset – this is not relevant to this
Similarly, if the civil engineering project of one classification cost classification framework.
contains a minor amount of work in other classifications
(for example, minor lineside buildings and access roads to a The sum of these three cost categories must always be the
railway) these may be included within the external work cost same as the total capital cost and the construction cost
group rather than being classified as separate projects. adviser must ensure that all construction and other related
costs are included in one of the three cost categories. In
ICMS, first edition, only contain these level 1 project other words, the total cost of each category or group shall
categories and the framework notes that further types of be the sum of its results at the level below, plus any cost
project will be ‘added later’. allocated at that level and not further broken down.
Level 2: ‘cost categories’ – these are individual categories ICMS, first edition, only contains these three level 2 cost
that provide for a suitable split or classification of the overall categories and the framework notes that provision for
project cost into three level 2 cost categories, as follows: the analysis and cost classification of cost-in-use will be
Capital construction costs: this will be typically the total made ‘later’.
cost of the project expenditure as paid by the client to the Level 3: ‘cost groups’ – these capture the sub-division
constructor as set out in the business case, budget, or of the three cost category totals into a more detailed break-
construction contract(s). There may be separate sets of down in each case – there are ten separate cost groups
construction costs that make up the total, if more than one for capital construction costs, three separate cost groups
constructor is retained, depending on the procurement for associated capital costs and two separate cost groups
model chosen. for the site acquisition.
Associated construction costs: this will typically be the These cost groups at level 3 are mandatory and should
sum of the other capital costs associated with the project not be changed, deleted or added to – the construction
and which serve to facilitate all that takes place. The four cost adviser is required to ensure that all the costs to
cost groups listed in this section are: be classified should be included somewhere within this
services and similar work off-site, to enable
1  framework at level 3.
the project to be completed – typically the cost The definition of these level 3 cost groups is set out in
of the utility connections (where not paid for by section 2.2 Table 1 and a more detailed description of the
the constructor) coverage of these cost groups is set out in the guide under
2 loose furniture and equipment that would typically be the commentary in respect of Table 1.
installed or placed after, or close to, completion of the Level 4: ‘cost sub-groups’ – these are intended to
construction works capture further sub-divisions of cost within each of the level
consultant’s fees related directly to the construction
3  3 cost groups, thereby providing an even more granular
project – this would typically be the client’s directly- level of detail of cost classification.
appointed design and management team – fees that
are not directly construction related should be classified
in the next section.

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These cost sub-groups at level 4 are discretionary and The three divisions set out in Table 1 are as follows:
can be formulated to suit local custom and practice.
Capital construction costs, this classifies the total cost into
ICMS include a set of suggested cost sub-group codes
ten separate level 3 cost groups, in order to ‘capture’ all of
and descriptions, which it is recommended are followed,
the construction costs (in seven groups) together with three
wherever possible.
further groups for such items of cost such as preliminaries,
If a cost incurred on the project is not listed within the risk allowances and taxes/levies.
sample selection provided at level 4, then the construction
It is acknowledged that the use of only seven directly related
cost adviser should add a suitable item and cost code in
construction cost groups for the classification of all the
a logical manner taking account of the remainder of the
construction cost will be a lower number that many historic
coding within that cost group. These sample selection
construction cost classification systems or databases have
details are contained within four appendices within ICMS
in place, but it should be remembered that further and more
(pages 27-40 inclusive), as follows:
detailed cost classification can be given at level 4 in the
Appendix A (pages 28-34 inclusive): ‘buildings’ classification various cost sub-groups.
(common to all types of Buildings, where the functional type
The other three cost groups relate to construction-related
is defined in the project attributes elsewhere).
costs such as preliminaries (site running costs), risk
Appendix B (pages 35-38 inclusive): ‘civil engineering allowances (contingency) within the construction project
works’ classification (the classification appears in the and taxes/levies.
form of a table or matrix, where the relevant level 4 cost
In the case of taxes/levies and where local mandatory tax
sub-group item is ‘dotted’ to indicate that it is relevant to
is applicable as an addition to the cost of the construction
that particular type of civil engineering works).
works, but by custom and practice has been excluded from
Appendix C (page 39): ‘associated capital costs’ any cost classification system, the construction cost adviser
classification (common to both of the foregoing in should ensure that it is clear that such mandatory tax is
appendix A and B). included within the cost classification, and the total cost of
the project, even though the tax status of the client and the
Appendix D (page 40): ‘site acquisition and client’s other
local tax rules may mean that the tax incurred is recovered
costs’ classification (common to both of the foregoing in
by the client at a later date. In addition, it should be made
appendix A and B).
clear in the attributes section if the client does not have to
A detailed, but discretionary, cost coding system is pay such tax.
provided for all items and it is suggested that these are
Associated capital costs, this classifies the total cost of
followed whenever possible, although it is likely that the
the three separate level 3 cost groups, in order to capture
future data products, published by the RICS and others,
items such as utility connections, loose furniture, construction
will represent these in a formal structure. There are also
project related consultant fees and risk allowances
(in the case of appendix A and B of ICMS) a set of ‘general
(contingency) where the client chooses to retain the risk
notes’ (page 27 of ICMS) that are intended to clarify and
allowance outside the parameters of the construction project.
define coverage and allocation where applicable.
The inclusion of the cost of loose furniture, fittings and
ICMS hierarchical levels – overview furniture is intended to capture the cost of those items that
are added to the completed project after completion of
Section 2.2 (Figure 2) sets out a diagram of the hierarchical the construction works, although this distinction should be
structure of ICMS together with a brief set of notes that considered by the construction cost adviser in the context of
describe the various levels of the framework. such items, which might be included prior to the completed
construction works.
Table 1 (pages 8-9 inclusive) provides a detailed description
of the scope or ‘coverage’ intended to be classified within Careful consideration should be given so that the
the relevant level 3 cost group under each of the three cost construction cost adviser makes clear in any project cost
categories at level 2. Such ‘coverage’ is common in this report the status of items of cost which linked to the project
Table to both buildings and civil engineering projects and is (for example, the new rolling stock for a railway or the process
mandatory and standardised for all projects irrespective of plant for a production facility) but which are not correctly to be
type or function. considered as construction works.
Schedule 2 contains guidance on the allocation of the costs Site acquisition and client’s other costs, this classifies the
between substructure and structure. total cost of the purchase of the site (if known or released
by the client) and all expenses incurred by the client on such
non-direct construction activities undertaken by lawyers,
marketing people, funders, etc.

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

If the site acquisition costs are not known, then the The specific attributes and values are split into each of the
construction cost adviser should make this clear within 12 separate project types – one for buildings generally and
the various notes included with the cost classification 11 for each of the civil engineering works types (and these
plan or report and it is suggested that for consistency could be considered as the technical information). This
in data systems, that this information should have a information seeks to capture the key and specific design-
well-defined location. based data about the project together with the
key quantities.
Schedule 2 (pages 25-26 inclusive) contains a sample set
of diagrams on the suggested delineation point between In respect of quantities under the ‘buildings’ section, it
substructure and structure in the case of buildings and should be noted that the ‘gross external floor area’ (IPMS 1)
a selection of civil engineering works, so that the relevant and ‘gross internal floor area’ (IPMS 2) are cross-referenced
cost allocation between the two can be made. to that International Property Measurement Standards
(IPMS) definition (see appendix G of ICMS). Construction
No other delineation diagrams are given (for example, cost advisers should satisfy themselves that they are aware
between structure and non-structural works) and of the provisions of IPMS to report against this attribute (or
accordingly the construction cost adviser is to use be aware that any quantities provided to them by others
appropriate judgement for such decisions, based on have also been prepared in that format), required to be
the scope description contained within Table 1. quoted within the project attributes and values (Schedule
Each of the cost groups within Table 1 has a primary cost 1) should be defined and given to an appropriate level of
code number (for example, 1.01, 2.02 and 3.01), which detail, to give a general indication of the scale and size of
are mandatory and will better facilitate a digital analysis. the project.
Further suggested (non-mandatory) cost sub-group cost It is suggested that the currency used for reporting should
codes are given in appendices A–D inclusive of ICMS). be the local currency relating to the payments made for
the project. It is, therefore, important that the project
ICMS project attributes and attributes capture both the real-time details (when the
project was undertaken) as well as the exchange rate
project values (pages 10-24 applicable at the ‘base’ point in time for the relevant report
inclusive) so that meaningful currency conversion can be made for
comparison purposes. This is of particular importance
Section 2.3 (brief introductory notes) and Schedule 1 where the project has a long construction period and
(a detailed checklist) has a suggested model for the various packages may be procured at different times.
standard presentation of the key information about the
project so that construction cost advisers (and others) However, certain clients may require all reports and
can make judgements and comparisons between different costs to be reported in their own local corporate ‘trading’
projects in respect of time, size, quality, location, market currency and appropriate dual reporting of costs may be
conditions and any other relevant information that would required. Consideration should be given to the possibility
assist other advisers. that projects should be reported on a common currency
basis (say US$ or a suitable interbank rate).
There are two separate sets of Attributes and Values: the
first set (pages 11-12 inclusive) which are common to all
projects and the second set (pages 13-24 inclusive) which
are specific to buildings and each of the 11 civil engineering
works types.
The common attributes and values provide for ‘general’
information about the project (which could be considered
as non-technical) in areas such as ‘real-time’ date and
project stage status, currency and exchange rate,
programme information, site conditions and procurement
model adopted.
Sample project values are given and the construction cost
adviser should use appropriate skill and judgement to select
the ‘best-fit’ value or add to and adapt that which is offered
to suit the circumstances of the project and local custom
and practice. At the same time, they will be also seeking to
retain the suggested structure and form as best as possible.

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Other appendices While these reporting templates are paper-based models

as published with the ICMS, first edition, it is expected that
ICMS contains several other pieces of relevant information digital models or templates will be prepared by software
in appendices, as follows: vendors or individual organisations. For example, of such
possible digital solutions see appendix B of this user guide.
Appendix E – Process Flow Charts (pages 41-43
inclusive) Appendix G – Interface with International Property
Measurement Standards (IPMS) (page 47)
A selection of process flow charts are given to assist
construction cost advisers (and others) to formulate For reporting purposes, construction cost advisers are
a structured approach to the production of a cost required to state the relevant areas of the project by
classification model or report for a project and to ensure reference to the relevant definition within IPMS and this
that all cost aspects of the project are captured. appendix sets out applicable notes.
Appendix F – Reporting Templates (pages 44-46 It should be remembered, as at the publication date of
inclusive) ICMS, first edition, (July 2017) that IPMS continues to be
developed across four key functional project types (offices,
ICMS provides a set of suggested templates for three
residential, industrial and retail).
separate scenarios (noting that this merely contains the
financial material, with the need for the text and notes Appendix H – Bibliography (page 48)
in respect of the project attributes and project values
This contains a brief listing of the key relevant reference
to be added):
documents to ICMS and its use in practice.
1 The cost classification of a project in its own right.
2 T
 he cost classification between two different project
design schemes (for option appraisal purposes, but
only in respect of the capital cost and not developed
tools such as cost benefit analysis).
The cost classification for a project with a selection
3 
of sub-projects.

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Uses of ICMS Cost classification and analysis

As well as providing a ‘high-level’ cost reporting tool, ICMS
also has a cost classification function, such that individual
Early conversations cost groups or sub-groups (if applicable) are set out,
tabulated and totalled to arrive at the overall project cost.
It is anticipated that construction cost advisers who are
intending to use ICMS will have an early conversation with This will enable the cost adviser (at the ‘outline business
the end-user of the report or other piece of work to explain case’ stage of the project) to critically challenge any
the benefits of reporting costs in this way. individual cost group value if it seems to be considerably
at variance with other current or historic data for that
Benchmarking and cost reporting cost group.
In addition, this classification function will be used by the
Construction cost advisers will be providing construction
cost adviser to prepare tender enquiry pricing documents
cost information and recommendations to their clients
so that tender returns are able to be interrogated and
at various stages throughout each project life cycle and
evaluations can be made between bids on a common basis.
ICMS, as a tool, will become essential in that process. In
addition, informed clients need robust data and reporting Critically, the standard classification will allow the collection
for benchmarking in order to assess the financial viability of global cost data to better inform cost comparison
of their projects. between markets and cost prediction of future schemes.
Firstly, when providing benchmarking and order-of-cost
estimates of the likely cost of a project, the cost adviser Quantum forensics
will use appropriate skill and judgement to provide and use
Cost advisers are also involved in the demonstration of
costs based on measurements such as an approximate
proof of entitlement to recovery of costs incurred within
area or key functional parameters, e.g. length or capacity,
a ‘claims’ environment and the use of ICMS on the
against the relevant project type. This ‘base’ figure will
project will ensure that the project cost is classified in a
be drawn from historic cost data either held by the cost
recognisable manner thereby providing greater confidence
adviser or accessible from published sources and will
over the validity of the claim. Proving ‘reasonable cost’ or
have a common source basis if such historic cost data
providing the cost history of a project will also be more
and classification has been prepared using ICMS as a
easily undertaken with ICMS adoption.
reference point.
This ‘high-level’ cost estimating by the adviser would
still need to be adjusted in the usual way for external
Work breakdown structures
environmental factors such as geography and real time, Work breakdown structures (WBS) are common ways
and to take account of the size and scale of the project. of classifying works in civil engineering. ICMS have been
designed to work with these structures so that cost and
Secondly, when providing the client with more detailed time, at high level, can be classified in the same way.
estimates, procurement evaluation and post-contract An example is shown in appendix B of this user guide.
financial reporting, there will be a clearer means to
compare different cost models and run ‘what-if’ scenarios
for any change in circumstances. BIM models
Thirdly, at the end of the project, there is the need to ICMS is designed to be used, if applicable, with BIM
capture the ‘out-turn’ cost of the scheme, which serves to models. Project values and attributes are designed to
provide the basis of the final cost reporting to the client, be used with drop-down lists to ease data input and
and for the individual project costs to be added to a subsequent analysis. It should be noted, however,
database for reference and future use. that almost all BIM models are classified by
Uniformat II and there would need to be an
In all cases, it is envisaged, at least initially, that ICMS cost element of mapping between it and ICMS.
reporting may run alongside other methods of reporting
demanded by the client or the market. This should not
be problematic in practice, as long as costs can be easily
mapped between the two methods of reporting using
software solutions and professional interpretation.

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Limitations of ICMS While there are limitations as to the accuracy of exchange

rate comparisons over time, it should be borne in mind
that the use of purchasing power parity measures
instead (while more accurate) would involve the user in
Measurement depth considerably more effort.
Although ICMS contains the word ‘measurement’ in The specification (or quality) of the project is also to be
the title, it is a construction cost classification tool and, given as part of the project values but this is only intended
therefore, does not require detailed measurement of to be an approximate indication of the general level of
construction quantities (as set out – for example – in specification within each project, rather than a detailed
guidance on measurement rules in SMM, NRM, POMI, description of each cost group. This is so that other
CESMM or similar). However, there are project quantities subsequent users of the cost data can form a reasoned
stated that are intended to be set out within the details of judgement of the adjustment in cost required when
each project, although these are not intended to be arrived producing an approximate estimate based on the historic
at by detailed measurement, but are merely an approximate cost data and adjusting it for the perceived difference in
quantity to provide an indication of the size and scale of the specification or quality.
various attributes of the project. Indeed, such approximate
quantities may be taken from other sources such as a client
brief or similar. The construction cost adviser should use
Extent of coverage – civil
appropriate skill and judgement to arrive at a suitable level engineering
of accuracy for such approximate quantities.
As already noted, ICMS covers 11 common civil engineering
(infrastructure) project types and it is considered that these
Currency and specification cover much of the infrastructure output. It is intended that
further infrastructure project types will be added into a
No single currency is used as the basis of cost classification
second edition of ICMS due for publication in 2019.
within ICMS, as this is intended to be expressed in the
local currency pertaining to the location of the project
and/or the currency which was used as the transactional Extent of coverage – life cycle
machinery. That stated currency is then to be added as a
project specific value by the cost adviser, together with the costs
base date of the costs. This is so that other subsequent ICMS only addresses the capital cost of the project – that is
users of the cost data can reference the exchange rate for the initial cost of construction or development – and does
that currency at the time of the project and make suitable not seek to capture any life cycle (or cost-in-use) data with
adjustments for the fluctuation in the exchange rate since the cost classification models.
that date. (See earlier under ICMS project attributes and
project values for comments as to the reporting of costs in It is intended that a further refinement and addition of life
a common currency). cycle cost data (together with other related non-financial
impacts) will be added into a second edition of ICMS in
the future. This expansion of the coverage of ICMS will
seek to link into BREEAM and similar standards and
provide a complete project cycle throughout the whole
life of the asset.

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Differences to Given that there is going to be an element of uncertainty

over the actual contribution that non-load bearing
components to the integrity of the load-bearing

elemental cost component, construction cost advisers will be required

to use appropriate skill and judgement over the allocation.
A good example of this might relate to external walls, with
planning the need to define in the project attributes the proportion
of the façade which is glazed, however, this level of detail
may not be known to any degree of confidence at the
Classification principles early stages of a project.
Cost management professionals may need to seek advice
The classification of construction costs as set out in ICMS
from structural designers (if appointed as part of the
differ from other historic elemental cost plan structures,
design team) to establish which construction elements
layouts and formats, given that the traditional elemental
are loadbearing or non-loadbearing, given that this is not
titles and groups for cost classification do not necessarily
always clearly evident from the design information.
apply across the world. Indeed, the thinking behind the
work of the ICMS Coalition is to arrive at a cost framework
that can be understood by all parties, hence, the use of Alignment to design disciplines
classification groups with titles such as ‘cost groups’ and
The cost classification grouping, as set out in the ICMS
‘cost sub-groups’.
framework, seeks to align the various cost groups with the
design discipline (and, therefore, individual members of the
Substructure and superstructure design team) that will sit behind the defined work, such that
within section 2.2 of ICMS (hierarchical levels) there are
delineation seven ‘work-based’ groups, namely:
Different parts of the world have historically applied • demolition
different ‘boundaries’ to where the ‘substructure’ ends
and ‘superstructure’ starts and these differences are • sub-structure
also evident in the boundary applied between structural • structure
designers (engineers) and cost management professionals
(historically quantity surveyors or cost managers). • architectural and non-structural works
The important matter to be decided is that a single • services and equipment
common approach is taken, such that when project
• drainage (above and below ground)
cost classifications are prepared, the same principle is
applied in each case, based on the sample diagrams • external works.
as presented in Schedule 2 of ICMS. This also serves to
It is acknowledged that these seven groupings do
align with the way in which 3D models of the building or
not necessarily align with the ‘packaging up’ and the
structure are constructed.
procurement of construction work in any market, but rather
that the groups better align with the design discipline that
Loadbearing and non-loadbearing undertakes the work in question.
delineation
Again, historic custom and practice in different parts of the
world have not used or have adopted a different approach
to the definition of loadbearing and non-loadbearing and
the resultant allocation of costs between the two elements
or sections. ICMS seeks to define what ‘structure’ should
include, and it is worth noting that the inclusion of non-
load bearing components, which are an integral part of the
composite load-bearing work, should be included within
the ‘structure’ cost allocation.

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RICS planned It is not expected that there will be any material impact
on NRM 2 because of the publication of ICMS, However,
since ICMS reporting can be used at any project stage,

publications mapping between both elemental (NRM 1 and 3)

classifications and ICMS and trade (NRM 2) classifications
and ICMS will be reviewed.

RICS global professional Planned RICS BCIS products

statement in cost prediction It is expected that the following products will be developed
ICMS are not mandatory for RICS professionals. However, by BCIS in due course to complement the use of ICMS
RICS will be producing a global professional statement on (although the ability to develop these products (in the
this subject which will incorporate all the provisions and the case of the second and third bullet points) will depend
complete text of ICMS, at which point it will then become on the availability of data to develop robust measures of
mandatory for RICS professionals by its inclusion within construction purchasing power parity:
the professional statement.
• research and scope amendment of data collection
The only reason that RICS professionals would not be forms/templates to allow collection of ICMS
required to comply with the RICS professional statement is structured data
if their client instructs them not to comply. The professional
• development of international location factor and
statement is expected to be published in 2019.
indices product for adjusting ICMS data and

RICS data standard • development of an international benchmarking tool. 

While the original publication of ICMS is available in

print and online as a PDF, the reason for it existing is to
present a construction cost classification framework,
which, in normal usage, will almost always be in a digitally-
based media. Traditionally, this has been in a very two-
dimensional format such as Microsoft Office Excel, which,
while being familiar to the cost adviser community over
many years, does still have its limitations.
Accordingly, RICS are in the process of producing a data
standard document that seeks to define a preferred data
format for the template documents that will be used to
complete cost classifications in use. It is expected that
software importing or exporting data will comply with this
data standard to provide compatibility and consistency
across different products. This XML data standard is
expected to be formally released in the first quarter of 2018.

RICS adaptations to the NRM suite

Given that there is an existing UK RICS construction cost
classification model in existence as contained within NRM
1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital
building works and NRM 3: Order of cost estimating and
cost planning for building maintenance works, there is
the need to align and interface the specific classification
system of ICMS with the original NRM classifications.
Initially, this will take the form of an overview statement
of the linkage between the two and, subsequently, the
publication of revisions to both NRM 1 and NRM 3 so that
they both fully align with the ICMS classifications.

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Appendices
Appendix A – Mapping to NRM 1
Given that RICS NRM 1 and ICMS follow different formats for cost classification, an exercise has been
undertaken that seeks to map across the NRM 1 cost groups to those which are now presented in ICMS,
such that a valid interface can be achieved when comparing historic cost classification data – previously
prepared in accordance with NRM 1 – with any new data prepared in accordance with ICMS.
Consideration will need to be given for the need for mapping in both directions.
The initial mapping document is set out in this appendix.
The Microsoft Office Excel version of ICMS mapped to RICS NRM is available at rics.org/icmsexplained

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
Capital Capital Construction
Construction Costs Costs
01 Capital Demolition and site 8.1.1 External works Site preparation Site clearance
Construction Costs preparation works
Capital Demolition and site 8.1.2 External works Site preparation Preparatory
Construction Costs preparation works groundworks
01 020 Capital Demolition and site Site survey and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs preparation investigation
01 020 Capital Demolition and site Environmental 0.6.2 Facilitating Extraordinary Reptile/wildlife
Construction Costs preparation treatment works site mitigation measures
investigation
works
01 030 Capital Demolition and site Sampling for #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs preparation construction,
geophysical, geological
or similar purposes
01 040 Capital Demolition and site Temporary fencing #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs preparation
01 050 Capital Demolition and site Demolition of existing 7.1.1 Work to Minor demolition Minor demolition and
Construction Costs preparation buildings and support existing and alteration alteration works
to adjacent structures buildings works
Capital Demolition and site Demolition of existing 0.2.1 Facilitating Major demolition Demolition works
Construction Costs preparation buildings and support works works
to adjacent structures
Capital Demolition and site Demolition of existing 0.2.2 Facilitating Major demolition Soft strip works
Construction Costs preparation buildings and support works works
to adjacent structures
01 060 Capital Demolition and site Site surface clearance #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs preparation (clearing, grubbing,
topsoil stripping,
tree felling, minor
earthwork, removal)
01 070 Capital Demolition and site Tree transplant #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs preparation
01 080 Capital Demolition and site Temporary surface #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs preparation drainage and
dewatering
01 090 Capital Demolition and site Temporary protection, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs preparation diversion and
relocation of public
utilities
02 Capital Substructure #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
02 010 Capital Substructure Foundation piling: 1.1.1 Substructure Substructure Standard
Construction Costs foundations
Capital Substructure Foundation piling: 1.1.2 Substructure Substructure Specialist
Construction Costs foundations
Capital Substructure Foundation piling: 1.1.3 Substructure Substructure Lowest floor
Construction Costs construction

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Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
02 010 1 Capital Substructure Foundation piling: Mobilisation and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs demobilisation
02 010 2 Capital Substructure Foundation piling: Trial piles #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
02 010 3 Capital Substructure Foundation piling: Permanent piles #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
02 010 4 Capital Substructure Foundation piling: Pile testing #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
02 020 Capital Substructure Foundations up to top #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs of lowest floor slabs:
02 020 1 Capital Substructure Foundations up to top Excavation and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs of lowest floor slabs: disposal
02 020 2 Capital Substructure Foundations up to top Lateral supports #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs of lowest floor slabs:
02 020 3 Capital Substructure Foundations up to top Raft footings, pile #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs of lowest floor slabs: caps, column bases,
wall footings, strap
beams, tie beams
02 020 4 Capital Substructure Foundations up to top Substructure walls #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs of lowest floor slabs: and columns
02 020 5 Capital Substructure Foundations up to top Ground beams and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs of lowest floor slabs: ground slabs
02 020 6 Capital Substructure Foundations up to top Lift pits #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs of lowest floor slabs:
02 030 Capital Substructure Basement sides and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs bottom:
02 030 1 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Excavation and 1.1.4 Substructure Substructure Basement
Construction Costs bottom: disposal excavation
02 030 2 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Lateral supports #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs bottom:
02 030 3 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Bottom slabs and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs bottom: blinding
02 030 4 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Sides 1.1.5 Substructure Substructure Basement retaining
Construction Costs bottom: walls
02 030 5 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Vertical waterproof #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs bottom: tanking, drainage
blanket, drains and
skin wall
02 030 6 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Horizontal waterproof #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs bottom: tanking, drainage
blanket, drains and
topping slab
02 030 7 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Insulation #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs bottom:
02 030 8 Capital Substructure Basement sides and Lift pits, sump pits, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs bottom: sleeves
03 Capital Structure 2.1.1 Superstructure Frame Steel frames
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.1.2 Superstructure Frame Space frames/decks
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.1.3 Superstructure Frame Concrete casings to
Construction Costs steel frames
03 Capital Structure 2.1.4 Superstructure Frame Concrete frames
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.2.1 Superstructure Upper Floor Floors
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.2.2 Superstructure Upper Floor Balconies
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.2.3 Superstructure Upper Floor Drainage to
Construction Costs balconies
03 Capital Structure 2.1.4 Superstructure Frame Concrete frames
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.1.5 Superstructure Frame Timber frames
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.1.6 Superstructure Frame Specialist frames
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.3.1 Superstructure Roof Roof structure
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.3.2 Superstructure Roof Roof coverings
Construction Costs

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
03 Capital Structure 2.3.3 Superstructure Roof Specialist roof
Construction Costs systems
03 Capital Structure 2.3.4 Superstructure Roof Roof drainage
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.3.5 Superstructure Roof Rooflights, skylights
Construction Costs and openings
03 Capital Structure 2.3.6 Superstructure Roof Roof features
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.4.1 Superstructure Stairs and Stair/ramp
Construction Costs ramps structures
03 Capital Structure 2.4.2 Superstructure Stairs and Stair/ramp finishes
Construction Costs ramps
03 Capital Structure 2.5.1 Superstructure External Walls External enclosing
Construction Costs walls above ground
level
03 Capital Structure 2.5.2 Superstructure External Walls External enclosing
Construction Costs walls below ground
level
03 Capital Structure 2.5.3 Superstructure External Walls Solar/rain screening
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.5.4 Superstructure External Walls External soffits
Construction Costs
03 Capital Structure 2.5.5 Superstructure External Walls Subsidiary walls,
Construction Costs balustrades and
proprietary balconies
03 010 Capital Structure Structural removal and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs alterations
03 020 Capital Structure Basement suspended #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs floors:
03 020 1 Capital Structure Basement suspended Walls and columns #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs floors:
03 020 2 Capital Structure Basement suspended Beams and slabs #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs floors:
03 020 3 Capital Structure Basement suspended Staircases #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs floors:
03 030 Capital Structure Frames and slabs: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
03 030 1 Capital Structure Frames and slabs: Structural walls and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs columns
03 030 2 Capital Structure Frames and slabs: Upper floor beams #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs and slabs
03 030 3 Capital Structure Frames and slabs: Roof beams and slabs #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
03 030 4 Capital Structure Frames and slabs: Roof beams and slabs #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
03 030 5 Capital Structure Frames and slabs: Staircases #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
03 030 6 Capital Structure Frames and slabs: Fireproofing to steel #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs structure
03 040 Capital Structure Tanks, pools, sundries #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
04 Capital Architectural works 2.7.1 Superstructure Internal walls Walls and partitions
Construction Costs | Non-structural and partitions
works
04 Capital Architectural works 2.7.3 Superstructure Internal walls Moveable room
Construction Costs | Non-structural and partitions dividers
works
04 Capital Architectural works 4.1.1 Fittings, Fittings, General fittings,
Construction Costs | Non-structural furnishings and furnishings and furnishings and
works equipment equipment equipment
04 Capital Architectural works 4.1.2 Fittings, Fittings, Domestic kitchen
Construction Costs | Non-structural furnishings and furnishings and fittings and
works equipment equipment equipment
04 010 Capital Architectural works Non-structural removal #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural and alterations
works

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Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
04 020 Capital Architectural works External elevations: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 020 1 Capital Architectural works Non-structural #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural external walls and
works features
04 020 2 Capital Architectural works External wall finishes #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural except cladding
works
04 020 3 Capital Architectural works Facade cladding and 2.5.6 Superstructure External Walls Facade access/
Construction Costs | Non-structural curtain walls cleaning systems
works
04 020 4 Capital Architectural works External windows 2.6.1 Superstructure Windows and External windows
Construction Costs | Non-structural external doors
works
04 020 5 Capital Architectural works External doors 2.6.2 Superstructure Windows and External doors
Construction Costs | Non-structural external doors
works
04 020 6 Capital Architectural works External shop fronts #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 020 7 Capital Architectural works Roller shutters and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural fire shutters
works
04 030 Capital Architectural works Roof finishes, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural skylights and
works landscaping (including
waterproofing and
insulation):
04 030 1 Capital Architectural works Roof finishes #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 030 2 Capital Architectural works Skylights #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 030 3 Capital Architectural works Roof landscaping #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural (hard and soft)
works
04 040 Capital Architectural works Internal divisions: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 040 1 Capital Architectural works Non-structural #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural internal walls and
works partitions
04 040 2 Capital Architectural works Shop fronts #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 040 3 Capital Architectural works Toilet cubicles 2.7.4 Superstructure Internal walls Cubicles
Construction Costs | Non-structural and partitions
works
04 040 4 Capital Architectural works Cold rooms #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 040 5 Capital Architectural works Internal doors 2.8.1 Superstructure Internal doors Internal doors
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 040 6 Capital Architectural works Internal windows #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 040 7 Capital Architectural works Roller shutters and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural fire shutters
works
04 040 8 Capital Architectural works Sundry concrete work #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 050 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 050 1 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Balustrades, railings 2.7.2 Superstructure Internal walls Balustrades and
Construction Costs | Non-structural and handrails and partitions handrails
works

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
04 050 2 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Staircases and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural catwalk not forming
works part of the structure,
cat ladders
04 050 2 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Staircases and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural catwalk not forming
works part of the structure,
cat ladders
04 050 3 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Cabinets, cupboards, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural shelves, counters,
works benches, notice
boards, blackboards
04 050 4 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Exit signs, directory 4.1.4 Fittings, Fittings, Signs/notices
Construction Costs | Non-structural signs furnishings and furnishings and
works equipment equipment
04 050 5 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Pelmets and curtains #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 050 6 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Decorative features 4.1.3 Fittings, Fittings, Special purpose
Construction Costs | Non-structural furnishings and furnishings and fittings, furnishings
works equipment equipment and equipment
04 050 7 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Interior landscaping #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 050 8 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Access panels, fire #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural service cabinets
works
04 050 9 Capital Architectural works Fittings and sundries: Sundries #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 060 Capital Architectural works Finishes under cover: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural
works
04 060 1 Capital Architectural works Finishes under cover: Floor finishes 3.2.1 Internal Floor finishes Finishes to floors
Construction Costs | Non-structural (internal and external) finishes
works
04 060 1 Capital Architectural works Finishes under cover: Floor finishes 3.2.2 Internal Floor finishes Raised access floors
Construction Costs | Non-structural (internal and external) finishes
works
04 060 2 Capital Architectural works Finishes under cover: Internal wall finishes 3.1.1 Internal Wall finishes Wall finishes
Construction Costs | Non-structural and cladding finishes
works
04 060 3 Capital Architectural works Finishes under cover: Ceiling finishes and 3.3.1 Internal Ceiling finishes Finishes to ceilings
Construction Costs | Non-structural false ceilings (internal finishes
works or external)
04 070 Capital Architectural works Builder’s work in 3.3.2 Internal Ceiling finishes False ceilings
Construction Costs | Non-structural connection with finishes
works services:
04 070 1 Capital Architectural works Plinth, bases 3.3.3 Internal Ceiling finishes Demountable
Construction Costs | Non-structural finishes suspended ceilings
works
04 070 2 Capital Architectural works Fire-proofing 8.7.11 External works External services Builder’s work in
Construction Costs | Non-structural enclosure connection with
works external services
04 070 3 Capital Architectural works Hoisting beams, lift 5.10.1 Services Lift and Lifts and enclosed
Construction Costs | Non-structural pit separation screens conveyor hoists
works installations
04 070 4 Capital Architectural works Suspended manholes 5.14.1 Services Builder’s work in Builder’s work in
Construction Costs | Non-structural connection with connection with
works services services
04 070 5 Capital Architectural works Cable trenches, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural trench covers
works
04 070 6 Capital Architectural works Sleeves, openings and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs | Non-structural the like not allowed
works for in fittings and
sundries
05 Capital Services and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 010 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating 5.4.5 Services Water Steam and
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning installations condensate
systems/air distribution
conditioners:

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Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
05 010 1 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Seawater system 5.6.2 Services Space heating Local heating
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning and air
systems/air conditioning
conditioners:
05 010 2 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Cooling water system 5.6.3 Services Space heating Central cooling
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning and air
systems/air conditioning
conditioners:
05 010 3 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Chilled water system 5.6.4 Services Space heating Local cooling
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning and air
systems/air conditioning
conditioners:
05 010 4 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Heating water system 5.6.5 Services Space heating Central heating and
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning and air cooling
systems/air conditioning
conditioners:
05 010 5 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Steam and 5.6.6 Services Space heating Local heating and
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning condensate system and air cooling
systems/air conditioning
conditioners:
05 010 6 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Fuel oil system 5.6.7 Services Space heating Central air
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning and air conditioning
systems/air conditioning
conditioners:
05 010 7 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Water treatment 5.6.8 Services Space heating Local air
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning and air conditioning
systems/air conditioning
conditioners:
05 010 8 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Air handling and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning distribution system
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 9 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Condensate drain #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning system
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 10 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Unitary air- #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning conditioning system
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 11 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Mechanical ventilation 5.7.1 Services Ventilation Central ventilation
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning system
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 12 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Kitchen ventilation 5.7.2 Services Ventilation Local and special
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning system ventilation
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 13 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Fume-extraction #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning system
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 14 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Anaesthetic gas- #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning extraction system
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 15 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Window and split- #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning type air conditioners
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 16 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Air-curtains #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 17 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Fans #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning
systems/air
conditioners:
05 010 18 Capital Services and Heating, ventilating Related electrical and 5.2.1 Services Services Services equipment
Construction Costs equipment and air-conditioning control systems equipment
systems/air
conditioners:
05 020 Capital Services and Electrical services: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
05 020 1 Capital Services and Electrical services: High-voltage 5.8.1 Services Electrical Electrical mains
Construction Costs equipment transformers and installations and sub-mains
switchboards distribution
05 020 2 Capital Services and Electrical services: Incoming mains, low- #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment voltage transformers
and switchboards
05 020 3 Capital Services and Electrical services: Main and submain #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 020 4 Capital Services and Electrical services: Standby system #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 020 5 Capital Services and Electrical services: Lighting and power 5.8.3 Services Electrical Lighting installations
Construction Costs equipment installations
05 020 5 Capital Services and Electrical services: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 020 6 Capital Services and Electrical services: Uninterrupted power #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment supply
05 020 7 Capital Services and Electrical services: Electric underfloor 5.6.6 Services Space heating Local heating and
Construction Costs equipment heating and air cooling
conditioning
05 020 8 Capital Services and Electrical services: Local electrical 5.6.2 Services Space heating Local heating
Construction Costs equipment heating units and air
conditioning
05 020 9 Capital Services and Electrical services: Earthing/lightning 5.8.6 Services Electrical Earthing and
Construction Costs equipment protection and installations bonding systems
bonding
05 030 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment fittings
05 030 1 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting Communications 5.8.4 Services Electrical Specialist lighting
Construction Costs equipment fittings installations installations
05 030 2 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting Staff paging/location #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment fittings
05 030 3 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting Public address #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment fittings system
05 030 4 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting Building automation #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment fittings
05 030 5 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting Security and alarm 5.12.2 Services Communication, Security systems
Construction Costs equipment fittings security and
control systems
05 030 6 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting Close circuit television 8.7.8 External works External services External security
Construction Costs equipment fittings systems
05 030 7 Capital Services and Fitting out lighting Communal aerial #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment fittings broadcast distribution
and the like
05 040 Capital Services and Water supply and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage:
05 040 1 Capital Services and Water supply and Cold water supply 5.4.2 Services Water Cold water
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage: installations distribution
05 040 2 Capital Services and Water supply and Hot water supply 5.4.3 Services Water Hot water
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage: installations distribution
05 040 3 Capital Services and Water supply and Flushing water supply #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage:
05 040 4 Capital Services and Water supply and Grey water supply #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage:
05 040 5 Capital Services and Water supply and Cleansing water #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage: supply
05 040 6 Capital Services and Water supply and Irrigation water supply #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage:
05 040 7 Capital Services and Water supply and Rainwater disposal #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage:
05 040 8 Capital Services and Water supply and Soil and waste #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage: disposal
05 040 9 Capital Services and Water supply and Planter drainage #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage: disposal
05 040 10 Capital Services and Water supply and Kitchen drainage #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage: disposal
05 040 11 Capital Services and Water supply and Related electrical and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment above ground drainage: control systems.

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Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
05 050 Capital Services and Supply of sanitary #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment fittings
05 060 Capital Services and Disposal systems: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 060 1 Capital Services and Supply of sanitary Refuse 5.1.1 Services Sanitary Sanitary appliances
Construction Costs equipment fittings installations
05 060 2 Capital Services and Supply of sanitary Laboratory waste 5.1.2 Services Sanitary Sanitary ancillaries
Construction Costs equipment fittings installations
05 060 3 Capital Services and Supply of sanitary Industrial waste 5.2.1 Services Services Services equipment
Construction Costs equipment fittings equipment
05 060 4 Capital Services and Supply of sanitary Incinerator 5.3.1 Services Disposal Foul drainage above
Construction Costs equipment fittings installations ground
05 070 Capital Services and Fire services: 5.3.2 Services Disposal Chemical, toxic and
Construction Costs equipment installations industrial liquid
waste drainage
05 070 1 Capital Services and Fire services: Fire hydrant and hose 5.3.3 Services Disposal Refuse disposal
Construction Costs equipment reel system installations
05 070 2 Capital Services and Fire services: Wet risers 5.11.1 Services Fire and Fire fighting systems
Construction Costs equipment lightning
protection
05 070 3 Capital Services and Fire services: Sprinkler system 5.11.2 Services Fire and Fire suppression
Construction Costs equipment lightning systems
protection
05 070 4 Capital Services and Fire services: Deluge system #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 070 5 Capital Services and Fire services: Gaseous #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment extinguishing system
05 070 6 Capital Services and Fire services: Foam extinguishing #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment system
05 070 7 Capital Services and Fire services: Audio/visual advisory #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment system
05 070 8 Capital Services and Fire services: Automatic fire alarm #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment and detection system
05 070 9 Capital Services and Fire services: Portable hand- #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment operated appliances
05 070 10 Capital Services and Fire services: Related electrical and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment control systems.
05 080 Capital Services and Gas services: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 080 1 Capital Services and Gas services: Coal gas #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 080 2 Capital Services and Gas services: Natural gas #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 080 3 Capital Services and Gas services: Liquid petroleum gas #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 080 4 Capital Services and Gas services: Medical gas/ #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment laboratory gas
05 080 5 Capital Services and Gas services: Industrial gas/ #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment compressed air/
instrument air
05 080 6 Capital Services and Gas services: Vacuum #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 090 7 Capital Services and Gas services: Steam 5.4.5 Services Water Steam and
Construction Costs equipment installations condensate
distribution
05 090 Capital Services and Movement systems: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 090 1 Capital Services and Movement systems: Lifts #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 090 2 Capital Services and Movement systems: Escalators 5.10.2 Services Lift and Escalators
Construction Costs equipment conveyor
installations
05 090 3 Capital Services and Movement systems: Conveyors 5.10.5 Services Lift and Conveyors
Construction Costs equipment conveyor
installations
05 100 Capital Services and Gondolas 5.10.6 Services Lift and Dock levellers and
Construction Costs equipment conveyor scissor lifts
installations

RICS © December 2017 19

 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
05 110 Capital Services and Turntables #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 120 Capital Services and Generators and 5.8.5 Services Electrical Local electricity
Construction Costs equipment uninterruptible power installations generation systems
supply
05 130 Capital Services and Energy-saving features #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 140 Capital Services and Sewage treatment #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 150 Capital Services and Fountains, pools and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment filtration plant
05 160 Capital Services and Powered building #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment signage
05 170 Capital Services and Kitchen equipment #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 180 Capital Services and Cold room equipment #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 190 Capital Services and Laboratory equipment #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 200 Capital Services and Medical equipment #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 210 Capital Services and Hotel equipment #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 220 Capital Services and Car park or entrances #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment access control
05 230 Capital Services and Domestic appliances #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
05 240 Capital Services and Other specialist #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment services
05 250 Capital Services and Builder's profit and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment attendance on services
06 Capital Services and Underground drainage #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
06 010 Capital Services and Surface water drainage #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
06 020 Capital Services and Storm water drainage #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment
06 030 Capital Services and Foul water drainage 5.3.1 Services Disposal Foul drainage above
Construction Costs equipment installations ground
06 040 Capital Services and Drainage connections 8.6.1 External works External Surface water and
Construction Costs equipment drainage foul water drainage
06 050 Capital Services and CCTV inspection of #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs equipment existing or new drains
07 Capital External and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works
07 010 Capital External and Site formation, 8.6.2 External works External Ancillary drainage
Construction Costs ancillary works slope treatment and drainage systems
incidental temporary
drainage and
dewatering further to
site preparation
07 020 Capital External and Permanent retaining #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works structures
07 030 Capital External and Site enclosures and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works divisions
07 040 Capital External and Ancillary structures #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works
07 050 Capital External and Roads and paving 8.2.1 External works Roads, paths, Roads, paths and
Construction Costs ancillary works pavings and pavings
surfacings
07 060 Capital External and Landscaping (hard 8.3.1 External works Soft landscapes, Seeding and turfing
Construction Costs ancillary works and soft) planting and
irrigation
systems
07 060 Capital External and Landscaping (hard 8.3.2 External works Soft landscapes, External planting
Construction Costs ancillary works and soft) planting and
irrigation
systems

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Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
07 060 Capital External and Landscaping (hard 8.3.3 External works Soft landscapes, Irrigation systems
Construction Costs ancillary works and soft) planting and
irrigation
systems
07 070 Capital External and Fittings and equipment #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works
07 080 Capital External and External services: #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works
07 080 1 Capital External and External services: Water supply 5.4.1 Services Water Mains water supply
Construction Costs ancillary works installations
07 080 2 Capital External and External services: Gas supply 8.7.5 External works External services Gas mains supply
Construction Costs ancillary works
07 080 3 Capital External and External services: Power supply #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works
07 080 4 Capital External and External services: Communications #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works supply
07 080 5 Capital External and External services: External lighting 8.7.9 External works External services External street
Construction Costs ancillary works lighting systems
07 080 6 Capital External and External services: Utility connections #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs ancillary works
08 010 Capital Preliminaries | Construction #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site management including
overheads site management staff
and support labour
08 020 Capital Preliminaries | Insurances and bonds #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site
overheads
08 030 Capital Preliminaries | Common construction #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site plant
overheads
08 040 Capital Preliminaries | Temporary access 8.7.7 External works External services External fuel
Construction Costs Constructor’s site roads and storage storage and piped
overheads areas distribution systems
08 050 Capital Preliminaries | Temporary facilities #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site and services
overheads
08 060 Capital Preliminaries | Submissions and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site reports
overheads
08 070 Capital Preliminaries | Building information #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site modelling (BIM)
overheads
08 080 Capital Preliminaries | Traffic management #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site and diversion
overheads
08 090 Capital Preliminaries | Safety, health and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site environmental
overheads management
08 100 Capital Preliminaries | Monitoring and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site recording
overheads
08 110 Capital Preliminaries | Testing and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site commissioning
overheads
08 120 Capital Preliminaries | As-built #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs Constructor’s site documentation
overheads
09 Capital Risk Allowance #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
09 010 Capital Risk Allowance Design development #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs allowance
09 020 Capital Risk Allowance Construction #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs contingencies
09 030 Capital Risk Allowance Price level #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs adjustments:
09 030 1 Capital Risk Allowance Price level Until tendering #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs adjustments:
09 030 2 Capital Risk Allowance Price level During construction #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs adjustments:

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
090 040 Capital Risk Allowance Exchange rate #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs fluctuation
adjustments
10 Capital Taxes and Levies #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
10 010 Capital Taxes and Levies Paid by the Constructor #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs
10 020 Capital Taxes and Levies Paid by the Client #N/A #N/A #N/A
Construction Costs in relation to the
construction contract
payments
01 Associated Capital Site acquisition #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs
01 010 Associated Capital Site acquisition Costs and premium #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs required to procure site
including additional
cost and premium
to be paid by foreign
investors
01 020 Associated Capital Site acquisition Compensation to #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs existing occupiers
01 030 Associated Capital Site acquisition Demolition, removal #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs and modification of
existing properties
by way of payment
to existing owners
instead of carrying out
physical work
01 040 Associated Capital Site acquisition Related fees to agents, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs lawyers, and the like
01 050 Associated Capital Site acquisition Related taxes and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs statutory charges
02 Associated Capital Construction- #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants
and supervision
02 010 Associated Capital Construction- Consultants' fees and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants reimbursable:
and supervision
02 010 1 Associated Capital Construction- Consultants' fees and Architects #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants reimbursable: (architectural,
and supervision landscape, interior
design, technical)
02 010 2 Associated Capital Construction- Consultants' fees and Engineers #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants reimbursable: (geotechnical,
and supervision civil, structural,
mechanical, electrical
and plumbing,
technical)
02 010 3 Associated Capital Construction- Consultants' fees and Project managers #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants reimbursable:
and supervision
02 010 4 Associated Capital Construction- Consultants' fees and Surveyors (quantity #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants reimbursable: surveying, land
and supervision surveying, building
surveying, cost
engineering)
02 010 5 Associated Capital Construction- Consultants' fees and Specialist consultants #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants reimbursable: (environmental,
and supervision traffic, acoustic,
facade, bim)
02 010 6 Associated Capital Construction- Consultants' fees and Value management #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants reimbursable: studies
and supervision
02 020 Associated Capital Construction- Charges and levies #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants payable to statutory
and supervision bodies or their
appointed agencies
(in connection with
planning, design,
tender and contract
approvals, supervision
and acceptance
inspections)

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Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
02 030 Associated Capital Construction- Site supervision #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants charges (including
and supervision their accommodation
and travels)
02 040 Associated Capital Construction- Payments to testing #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs related consultants authorities or
and supervision laboratories
03 Associated Capital Work and utilities #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs outside site
03 010 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs outside site diversion of and
capacity enhancement
of public utility mains
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 010 1 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, Electricity #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs outside site diversion of and
capacity enhancement
of public utility mains
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 010 2 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, Transformers #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs outside site diversion of and
capacity enhancement
of public utility mains
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 010 3 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, Water 8.7.1 External works External services Water mains supply
Costs outside site diversion of and
capacity enhancement
of public utility mains
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 010 4 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, Sewer #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs outside site diversion of and
capacity enhancement
of public utility mains
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 010 5 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, Gas #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs outside site diversion of and
capacity enhancement
of public utility mains
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 010 6 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, Telecommunications 5.12.1 Services Communication, Communication
Costs outside site diversion of and security and systems
capacity enhancement control systems
of public utility mains
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 010 6 Associated Capital Work and utilities Connections to, Telecommunications 8.7.6 External works External services Telecommunications
Costs outside site diversion of and and other
capacity enhancement communication
of public utility mains system connections
or sources outside
site up to mains
connections on site:
03 020 Associated Capital Work and utilities Public access roads #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs outside site and footpaths
04 Associated Capital Loose furniture, 8.5.1 External works External fixtures Site/street furniture
Costs fittings and and equipment
equipment
04 010 Associated Capital Production, process #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs and loose furniture,
furnishing and
equipment not
normally provided
before completion
of construction

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost NRM Group Element Sub-element
Category Group Sub-Group Category Category Group Sub-Group Element
(Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 4)
05 Associated Capital Administrative, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and
marketing expenses
05 010 Associated Capital Administrative, Client’s general office #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and overheads
marketing expenses
05 020 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative
marketing expenses expenses:
05 020 1 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- In-house project #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative management team
marketing expenses expenses:
05 020 2 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- Supporting project #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative staff
marketing expenses expenses:
05 020 3 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- Project office #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative venue, furniture
marketing expenses expenses: and equipment
if not included
in constructor’s
preliminaries | site
overheads
05 020 4 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- Stores and workshops #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative
marketing expenses expenses:
05 020 5 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- Safety and insurances #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative
marketing expenses expenses:
05 020 6 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- Staff training #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative
marketing expenses expenses:
05 020 7 Associated Capital Administrative, Client's project- Accommodation and #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and specific administrative travelling expenses
marketing expenses expenses: for in-house team
and external parties
05 030 Associated Capital Administrative, Interest and finance #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and costs
marketing expenses
05 040 Associated Capital Administrative, Legal expenses #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and
marketing expenses
05 050 Associated Capital Administrative, Accounting expenses #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and
marketing expenses
05 060 Associated Capital Administrative, Sales, leasing, #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and marketing, advertising
marketing expenses and promotional
expenses
05 070 Associated Capital Administrative, Taxes and statutory #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and charges related to
marketing expenses sales and lease
05 080 Associated Capital Administrative, Licence and permit #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs finance, legal and charges for operation
marketing expenses and use
06 Associated Capital Risk Allowance #N/A #N/A #N/A
Costs

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 rics.org/icmsexplained

Appendix B – Worked examples Each work section breakdown is examined and allocated
to an appropriate ICMS element. The allocated group –
Worked examples are reproduced with kind permission of both its title and the relevant percentage – is shown in red
the ICMS Coalition. (Note: due to rounding, the red numbers do not add up to
The Microsoft Office Excel versions of these worked exactly 100).
examples are available at rics.org/icmsexplained and on The original spreadsheet record used on the project was
the ICMS Coalition website, http://icms-coalition.org/ designed to show the work breakdown structure in major
Appendix G of ICMS, first edition, contains a selection of sections and sub-sections beneath those. Each major
three reporting templates. Appendix B of this user guide section can be opened to show all the sub-sections; or the
contains worked examples of a selection of ‘live’ projects spreadsheet can be viewed in a collapsed format where
where the presentation of the cost classification data is only the major sections are visible.
illustrated in a form that aligns with ICMS, and adjusted as The format provided shows the view of the spreadsheet
necessary to suit local circumstances. that gives a level of detail (major section and sub-sections
Work breakdown structures in expanded form or collapsed) that adequately illustrates
the allocation of WBS sections to ICMS structure.
ICMS are based on a cost grouping structure. However,
it is recognised that a work breakdown structure (WBS) In some cases, the choice of which ICMS element is
approach to cost monitoring and reporting is also widely straightforward. For example, the cost of Earthworks
used around the world. (Toprak Işleri) is allocated to the Substructure group.

Example 1 attempts to demonstrate how organisations With some major sections, the typical title used in the work
that usually use a WBS can still present their project costs breakdown structure (for example, Rough Work translated
in the ICMS format. The rationale behind this is to both from the Turkish Kaba Inşaat Işleri) it is not clear as to
welcome and encourage construction organisations from which ICMS element might be suitable. In these cases,
all countries to contribute to the ICMS goal of achieving each sub-section is shown, for example, Rough Work must
widespread use of the standard. It is not claimed that be split between the Substructure and Structure groups.
the analysis in this example is exhaustive or precise. In other cases, while the whole work section is allocated
To reiterate – the intention is to encourage worldwide to a single ICMS group, the full sub-group breakdown
involvement, whatever the in-country cost management is still shown. This has been done to assist the reader’s
structure and systems might be. understanding because the major section title does not
The example project is based on a commercial project reflect the precise nature of all the work involved. For
located in Istanbul in Turkey. example, Advanced Construction Rough Works (from
the Turkish Ileri Kaba Inşaat Işleri) includes work such
The example uses the original WBS presentation for the as internal walls, plastering and screeding. Likewise,
project. The work breakdown is recast into the ICMS Other Construction Works, which is allocated to ICMS
elemental format. Preliminaries, includes items such as shipping costs,
Example 1 was originally created in Microsoft Office Excel plant and equipment used across the whole project and
and contains three worksheets: expenditure on health and safety provisions.

Sheet 1 shows the overview project attributes and

(i)  The Infrastructure Works section, when examined more
values sheet required by ICMS. closely through the sub-sections, must be allocated to
three ICMS elements.
(ii) S
 heet 2 is the original work breakdown structure
spreadsheet used on the sample job. This sheet also
includes annotations shown in red. These annotations
have been added as part of the process of matching
the work breakdown sections to the ICMS elements.
(iii) Sheet 3 shows the standard ICMS presentation of the
project costs. In practice, this would be the final stage
of the process of converting the work breakdown
structure to an ICMS format.

Commentary: Original work breakdown structure

In sheet 2, the original work breakdown section titles have
been retained in Turkish in the right-hand column. The
English translations are in the main body of the cost report
under the column heading Work Section Breakdown.

RICS © December 2017 25

 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Worked example 1: Offices and shopping centre, Istanbul, Turkey

Sheet 1: ICMS Attributes
Attributes
Location Suburban Istanbul, Turkey
Residential | office | commercial | shopping centre | industrial | hotel | carpark | warehouse | educational | hospital | airport terminal | railway
Function
station | ferry terminal | mix of the foregoing
Offices – 21,058 m²;
IPMS 1 floor area
Shopping Centre 8,072 m²
Offices – 20,345 m²;
IPMS 2 floor area
Shopping Centre 7,792 m²
Storeys above ground specific number | 0 - 3 | 4 - 7 | 8 - 20 | 20 - 30 | 30 - 50 | over 50 | house | low rise | medium rise | high rise
Storeys below ground 2
Grade ordinary quality | medium quality | high quality
Hotel grade 1 star | 2 star | 3 star | 4 star | international + the foregoing | local + the foregoing
Funding Private | government
Site topology Levelled | sloping
Site conditions Soft | rocky | reclaimed
Currency Turkish Lire
Cost Data As completed May 2016

Sheet 2: WBS by Percentage (Pursantaj)

# Work Section Breakdown % Turkish work section names
1 EARTHWORKS Substructure 7.05% TOPRAK İŞLERİ
2 GEOTECHNICAL WORKS 2.22% ZEMİN İŞLERİ
2.1 SOIL IMPROVEMENT WORKS Substructure 0.66% Temel Altı İyileştirme
2.1.1 PILING 0.16% Fore Kazık Yapılması
2.1.2 MINI-PILING 0.06% Mini Kazık Yapılması
2.1.3 LABOR DAILY WAGES 0.01% Yevmiye
2.1.4 CONCRETE 0.24% Beton
2.1.5 RE-BAR STEEL 0.18% Donatı
2.1.6 MISCELLANEOUS 0.01% Diğer İmalatlar
2.1.7 CONSUMABLES 0.00% Sarf Malzemeler
2.2 SHORING Substructure 1.02% İksa İşleri
2.2.1 PILING 0.08% Fore Kazık Yapılması
2.2.2 MINI-PILING 0.12% Mini Kazık Yapılması
2.2.3 PILE HEAD BEAM 0.01% Başlık Kirişi Yapılması
2.2.4 WALER BEAM 0.02% Kuşak Kirişi Yapılması
2.2.5 ANCHORAGE WORKS 0.35% Ankraj Yapılması
2.2.6 SOIL NAILING 0.01% Zemin Çivisi Yapılması
2.2.7 TIE-BACK 0.00% Tie Back Yapılması
2.2.8 SHOTCRETE 0.01% Püskürtme Yapılması
2.2.9 INSULATION WORKS 0.08% İzolasyon İşleri
2.2.10 CONCRETE 0.11% Beton
2.2.11 RE-BAR STEEL 0.20% Demir
2.2.12 MATTING STEEL 0.00% Hasır Çelik
2.2.13 FORMWORK 0.00% Kalıp
2.2.14 CONSUMABLES 0.00% Sarf Malzemeler
2.2.15 STRUT 0.01% Strut Yapılması
2.2.16 MISCELLANEOUS 0.00% Diğer İmalatlar

26 RICS © December 2017

 rics.org/icmsexplained

# Work Section Breakdown % Turkish work section names

2.2.17 LABOR DAILY WAGES 0.00% Yevmiye
2.3 TIER CURTAIN WALL Substructure 0.42% Kademe Perdesi
2.3.1 FORMWORK 0.12% Kalıp İşçiliği
2.3.2 MISCELLANEOUS 0.00% Diğer İmalatlar
2.3.4 CONCRETE 0.15% Beton
2.3.5 RE-BAR STEEL 0.17% Demir
2.4 GEOTECHNICAL WORKS Demolition, site preparation and formation 0.11% Geoteknik
2.4.1 GEOTECHNICAL STUDIES 0.07% Geoteknik
2.4.2 OSTERBERG 0.01% Osterberg
2.5 SOIL SAMPLING 0.03% Zemin Etüdleri
3 ROUGH WORK 24.27% KABA İNŞAAT İŞLERİ
3.1 FOUNDATION WORKS Substructure 3.77% TEMEL İMALATLARI
3.1.1 FORMWORK 0.01% Kalıp İşçiliği
3.1.3 STEEL RE-BAR INSTALLATION 0.30% Demir İşçiliği
3.1.4 CONCRETE POURING 0.04% Beton İşçiliği
3.1.5 LABOR DAILY WAGES 0.00% Yevmiye
3.1.6 MISCELLANEOUS 0.00% Diğer İmalatlar
3.1.7 RE-BAR STEEL 1.90% Demir
3.1.9 CONCRETE 1.52% Beton
3.2 FLOOR RC WORKS Structure 18.13% KATLAR İNŞAAT
3.2.1 FORMWORK 2.37% Kalıp İşçiliği
3.2.3 SCAFFOLDING 0.05% Kalıp İskelesi
3.2.5 SELF CLIMBLING FORMWORK 0.14% Tırmanır Kalıp
3.2.6 STEEL RE-BAR INSTALLATION 2.11% Demir İşçilği
3.2.7 CONCRETE POURING 0.23% Beton İşçiliği
3.2.9 TUNNEL FORMWORK 0.32% Tünel Kalıp
3.2.11 PARAPET WORKS 0.06% Parapet Yapılması
3.2.12 HOLLOW-TİLE FLOOR SLAB WORKS 0.06% Asmolen İşleri
3.2.13 OTHER LABOR COSTS 0.16% Normal Kat İşçiliği
3.2.15 PRESTRESSING WORKS 0.13% Ardgerme
3.2.16 LABOR DAILY WAGES 0.07% Yevmiye
3.2.17 MISCELLANEOUS 0.01% Diğer İmalatlar
3.2.18 CONCRETE 4.78% Beton
3.2.19 RE-BAR STEEL 7.34% Demir
3.2.20 MATTING STEEL 0.29% Hasır Çelik
3.2.22 CONSUMABLES 0.00% Sarf Malzemeler
3.3 STEEL CONSTRUCTION WORKS Structure 0.85% ÇELIK YAPI İŞLERI
3.3.1 STEEL CONSTRUCTION 0.78% Çelik Yapı İşleri
3.3.2 STEEL CONNECTION PARTS 0.07% Bağlantı Elemanları
3.4 RC INSULATION WORKS Structure 0.27% KABA YAPI İZOLASYONLARI
3.4.1 CONCRETE WALL INSULATION 0.21% Ba Perde İzolasyonu
3.4.2 DILATATION INSULATION 0.05% Dilatasyon İzolasyonu
3.4.3 COLD JOINT INSULATION 0.01% Derz İzolasyonu
3.5 ROUGH WORK OTHER WORKS Structure 0.07% KABA YAPI DIĞER İMALATLAR
3.5.1 MATERIAL TESTING 0.04% DENEYLER
3.5.2 CONCRETE CUTTING WORKS 0.01% KAROT
3.5.3 ANCHORAGE EQUIPMENT 0.01% ANKRAJ
3.6 FORMWORK MATERIAL Structure 1.18% KALIP
4 ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION ROUGH WORKS Architectural works | Non-structural works 3.99% İLERİ KABA İNŞAAT İŞLERİ
4.1 WALL WORKS 1.20% DUVAR İŞLERI
4.2 PLASTER WORKS 1.07% SIVA İŞLERI
4.3 SCREEDING WORKS 0.58% ŞAP İŞLERI
4.4 ISOLATION WORKS 1.14% İZOLASYON İŞLERI

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

# Work Section Breakdown % Turkish work section names

5 FINISHING WORKS Architectural works | Non-structural works 14.50% İNCE İNŞAAT İŞLERİ
5.1 GYPSUM BOARD WORKS 1.24% Alçıpan İşleri
5.2 CERAMIC WORKS 0.62% Seramik İşleri
5.3 MARBLE WORKS 1.07% Mermer İşleri
5.4 STEEL DOOR WORKS 0.26% Çelik Kapı İşleri
5.5 METAL DOOR WORKS 0.28% Metal Kapı İşleri
5.6 WALLPAPER WORKS 0.57% Duvar Kağıdı İşleri
5.7 PARQUET WORKS 0.53% Parke İşleri
5.8 CARPENTRY WORKS 3.24% Ahşap İşleri
5.8.1 CLOAKROOM CABINET 0.24% Vestiyer Dolabı
5.8.2 SIDEBOARD 0.03% Dresuar
5.8.3 BATHROOM CABINET 0.31% Banyo Dolabı
5.8.4 CUPBOARD 0.11% Teknik Oda (Yüklük)
5.8.5 WOODEN DOOR 0.46% Ahşap Kapı
5.8.6 APARTMENT ENTRANCE DOOR 0.08% Çelik Kapı İç - Dış Kapı Pervazı Yapımı
5.8.7 WOOD SKIRTING 0.16% Ahşap Süpürgelik
5.8.8 KITCHEN CUPBOARD 0.95% Mutfak Dolabı
5.8.9 ACRILIC COUNTER TOP 0.52% Akrilik Tezgah İşleri
5.8.10 BATHROOM CABINET MARBLE TOP 0.14% Banyo Mermer Tezgah
5.8.11 DOOR ACCESSORIES 0.05% Kapı Aksesuarları
5.8.12 ALUMINUM SKIRTING 0.03% Aluminyum Süpürgelik
5.8.13 SLIDING DOOR 0.02% Sürme Kapılar
5.8.14 ELEVATOR DOOR JAMBS NB Add to Elevator Works 0.13% ASANSÖR SÖVELERI
5.9 PVC-CARPET FLOORING 0.04% PVC, Halı İşleri
5.10 PAINT WORKS 0.56% Boya İşleri
5.11 LIGHT STEEL AND HANDRAIL WORKS 0.10% Konstrüksiyon ve Korkuluk
5.12 WHITEWARE 0.27% Beyaz Eşya
5.13 DECORATION WORKS 0.53% Dekorasyon İşleri
5.14 PARKING AREA WORKS 0.78% Otopark İşleri
5.15 MISCELLANEOUS WORKS 0.26% Diğer İşler
5.16 CLEANING WORK 0.15% Temizlik İşleri
5.17 SHOPPING MALL COMMON AREAS 4.13% AVM Ortak Alan İşleri
6 FACADE WORKS Architectural works | Non-structural works 13.29% DIŞ CEPHE İŞLERİ
7 ELECTRICAL WORKS Services and equipment 5.52% ELEKTRİK İŞLERİ
8 MECHANICAL WORKS Services and equipment 10.10% MEKANİK İŞLER
9 ELEVATOR WORKS Services and equipment 2.23% ASANSÖR İŞLERİ
10 LANDSCAPE WORKS External and ancillary works 0.09% ÇEVRE DÜZENLEME İŞLERİ
11 INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS 1.68% ALTYAPI İŞLERİ
11.1 WASTE WATER LINES Underground drainage 0.05% ATIK SU HATLARI
11.2 RAIN WATER LINES Underground drainage 0.06% YAĞMUR SUYU HATLARI
11.3 WATER LINES Underground drainage 0.01% TENIZ SU HATLARI
11.4 DRAINAGE LINES Underground drainage 0.01% DRENAJ HATLARI
11.5 SURROUNDING WALLS External works 0.19% ÇEVRE - İSTINAT DUVARLARI
11.6 INTERNAL ROADS External works 0.31% PROJE İÇI YOLLAR
11.7 EXTERNAL ROADS Work and utilities outside the site 1.06% PROJE DIŞI YOLLAR
12 OTHER CONSTRUCTION WORKS Preliminaries | Contractor’s site overheads | General requirements 2.25% OTHER CONSTRUCTION WORKS
18 PROJECT AND DESIGN Construction related consultants and supervision 0.54% PROJE GİDERLERİ
19 DESIGN Construction related consultants and supervision 1.21% PROJELENDİRME
20 CONSULTANCY Construction related consultants and supervision 0.11% DANIŞMANLIK İŞLERİ
21 GENERAL EXPENSES Preliminaries | Contractor’s site overheads | General requirements 1.75% GENEL GİDER
22 MOBILIZATION Preliminaries | Contractor’s site overheads | General requirements 1.46% MOBİLİZASYON
23 STAFF SALARIES Preliminaries | Contractor’s site overheads | General requirements 7.30% PERSONEL

TOTAL 100.00% GENEL TOPLAM

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Sheet 3: Example Turkey

Cost Description Sub-Project Total
code
Offices Shopping Centre

TRY TRY/m² TRY/m² TRY TRY/m² TRY/m² TRY % of '0'

Project Quantity 21,058 20,345 8,072 7,792   

IPMS 1 Floor IPMS 2 Floor IPMS 1 Floor IPMS 2 Floor

Area (m²) Area (m²) Area (m²) Area (m²)

0 Total Capital Costs (1 + 2 + 3) 122,906,332 5,837 6,041 43,782,789 5,424 5,619 166,689,121 100.00%

1 Capital Construction Costs 118,448,151 5,625 5,822 42,268,636 5,236 5,425 160,716,787 96.42%

1.01 Demolition, site preparation and formation 134,213 6 7 47,894 6 6 182,107 0.11%

1,02 Substructure 17,667,242 839 868 6,304,593 781 809 23,971,835 14.38%

1.03 Structure 23,560,930 1,119 1,158 8,407,575 1,042 1,079 31,968,505 19.18%

1.04 Architectural works | Non-structural works 38,824,000 1,844 1,908 13,854,429 1,716 1,778 52,678,429 31.60%

1.05 Services and equipment 21,815,628 1,036 1,072 7,784,953 964 999 29,600,581 17.76%

1,06 Surface and underground drainage 158,615 8 8 56,602 7 7 215,217 0.13%

1.07 External and ancillary works 719,867 34 35 256,886 32 33 976,753 0.59%

1.08 Preliminaries | Contractor's site overheads | 15,567,647 739 765 5,555,704 688 713 21,123,351 12.67%
general requirements

1.09 Risk Allowances Not included

1.10 Taxes and Levies Not included

2 Associated Capital Costs 4,458,181 212 219 1,514,153 188 194 5,972,334 3.58%

2.01 Work and utilities off-site 1,464,002 70 72 522,432 65 67 1,986,434 1.19%

2.02 Post-completion loose furniture, fittings and 2,530,600 120 124 75,000 9 10 2,605,600 1.56%
equipment

2.03 Construction-related consultancies and supervision 463,579 22 23 916,721 114 118 1,380,300 0.83%

2.04 Risk Allowances Not included

3 Site Acquisition and Client's Other Costs Not included

3.01 Site acquisition Not included

3.02 Administrative, finance, legal and marketing expenses Not included

NOTE: Those items indicated as ‘Not included’ were either not included in the WBS report or no relevant, analogous ICMS items were identified.

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Worked example 2: Offices and warehouse, Australian Capital

Territory, Australia
Sheet 1: Office attributes
Project Attributes Project Values
Common (Project level only)
Report
Project title New Offices and Warehouse
Status of cost report Pre-construction forecast
Date of cost report May 2014
Revision number of cost report Revision 3
Brief description of the Project New 2 storey office block, warehouse, soft landscaping and paving. Removal of existing buildings in completion
• client’s name Withheld
• main Project type (principal Sub-Project) Offices and warehouse facilities
• brief scope
Location and country Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia AUS
Sub-Projects included Buildings and external works
Price Level
ISO currency code AUD
Base date of costs May-14
Price basis Fixed
Currency Conversion
Conversion date N/A
Exchange rates or other conversion factors (used to convert a cost report of
N/A
multi-currencies into a single currency)
Programme
Project status Initiation and concept phase
Construction period
•  number of months 15 months
•  from Start of site preparation – Actual start date not known at this stage
•  to state Completion of commissioning
•  key milestones and dates To be decided
Site
Existing site status
•  state of use Brownfield
•  type of use Urban - low density
Legal status of site Freehold
Site topography Principally flat
Ground conditions Soft
Site conditions and constraints
•  access problems Average NB Existing buildings will remain operative during construction
•  extreme climatic conditions Easy
•  environmental constraints Easy
Procurement
Funding Private
Project delivery
•  pricing method Lump sum stipulated price
•  mode of procurement Design bid build
•  joint venture foreign Constructor No
•  predominant source of Constructors Local

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Project Attributes Project Values

Code
Local functional classification standard
•  name of standard Building Code of Australia
•  code number of construction 01.04.02 (Commercial offices - Suburban/Regional B Grade
Works
Office
Functional type
Warehouse
Nature New build
Grade (qualitative description to be read in conjunction with the location) Medium quality
Environmental grade
•  grade and name of environmental certification Four Star - NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System)
•  status Targeted
Principal design features
•  structural (predominant) Steel
•  external walls (predominant) Tilt-up (precast) concrete panels
•  environmental control Air conditioning
•  degree of prefabrication Less than 25% of Capital Construction Costs
Project Complexity
•  shape (on plan) Rectangular
•  design Simple
Existing buildings on site will remain operational during the construction.
•  method of working Staff will move to new buildings.
Old buildings demolished on completion of new
Design life 40 to 50 years
Average height of site above or below sea level 577 metres above sea level

Dimensions (overall length × width × height of each building to highest point Offices 64.85 x 37.64 x 6.20 metres
of the building) Warehouse 53.90 x 45 x 5.80 metres
Typical storey height (floor level to floor level) Offices 3 metres
Other storey heights and applicable floors N/A
Storeys above ground (qualitative description to be read in conjunction with
the location)
Storeys above ground (quantitative) 0–3
Storey below ground Nil
Project Quantities
Site area (within legal boundary of building site, excluding temporary
50000 m²
working areas outside the site)
Covered area on plan Offices 4950 m² Warehouse 2600 m²
Gross external floor area as IPMS 1 E
Gross internal floor area as IPMS 2 Offices 2426 m² Warehouse 2344 m²
Functional units N/A

NOTE: * See Item 1.10: Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 10% (and applied to all new construction)

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Sheet 2: Example attributes

Cost code Description Sub-Project Total

Offices Warehouse

AUD AUD/m2 AUD/m2 AUD AUD/m2 AUD/m2 AUD % of '0'

Project Quantity 4,881 4,716 2,426 2,344   

IPMS 1 Floor IPMS 2 Floor IPMS 1 Floor IPMS 2 Floor

Area (m²) Area (m²) Area (m²) Area (m²)

0 Total Capital Costs (1 + 2 + 3) 23,611,350 4,837 5,007 3,760,300 1,550 1,604 27,371,650 100.00%
1 Capital Construction Costs 18,723,600 3,836 3,970 3,523,300 1,452 1,503 22,246,900 81.28%
1.01 Demolition, site preparation and formation
1.01.050 Demolition of existing buildings 600,000 123 127 600,000 2.19%
1.01.060 Site surface clearance 200,000 41 42 100,000 300,000 1.10%
1.01.080 Site formation 230,000 47 49 90,000 320,000 1.17%
1,02 Substructure
1.02.020 Foundations up to top of lowest floor slab 534,000 109 113 552,000 228 235 1,086,000 3.97%
1.03 Structure
1.03.030 Frames and slabs (above top of ground floor slab)
1.03.030.010 Structural wall and columns 133,000 27 28 152,000 63 65 285,000 1.04%
1.03.030.020 Upper floors and beams 951,000 195 202 951,000 3.47%
1.03.030.030 Roof beams and slabs 618,000 127 131 438,000 181 187 1,056,000 3.86%
1.03.030.040 Staircases 72,000 15 15 72,000 0.26%
1.04 Architectural works | Non-structural works
1.04.020.010 Non-structural external walls 1,700,000 348 360 257,500 106 110 1,957,500 7.15%
1.04.020.050 External doors 72,800 15 15 36,000 15 15 108,800 0.40%
1.04.030.010 Roof finishes 270,000 55 57 290,000 120 124 560,000 2.05%
1.04.040.010 Non-structural internal walls and partitions 565,000 116 120 93,700 39 40 658,700 2.41%
1.04.040.060 Internal doors 120,000 25 25 21,000 9 9 141,000 0.52%
1.04.040.070 Internal windows 120,000 25 25 11,000 5 5 131,000 0.48%
1.04.050 Fittings and sundries 125,000 26 27 55,000 23 23 180,000 0.66%
1.04.060.010 Floor finishes 388,000 79 82 113,000 47 48 501,000 1.83%
1.04.060.020 Internal wall finishes 242,100 50 51 16,200 7 7 258,300 0.94%
1.04.060.030 Ceiling finishes 364,000 75 77 16,700 7 7 380,700 1.39%
1.04.070 Builder's work in connection with services 170,200 35 36 11,300 5 5 181,500 0.66%
1.05 Services and equipment
1.05.010.080 Air handling and distribution system 2,186,000 448 464 87,500 36 37 2,273,500 8.31%
1.05.020 Electrical services 1,360,000 279 288 193,000 80 82 1,553,000 5.67%
1.05.040.010 Communications 728,000 149 154 728,000 2.66%
1.05.050 Water supply and above ground drainage 730,000 150 155 58,700 24 25 788,700 2.88%
1.05.080 Fire services 266,700 55 57 266,700 0.97%
1.05.100 Movement systems 247,000 51 52 247,000 0.90%
1.05.250 Other specialist services 242,800 50 51 24,700 10 11 267,500 0.98%
1.06 Surface and underground drainage 125,000 26 27 40,000 16 17 165,000 0.60%
1.07 External and ancillary works 988,000 202 209 150,000 62 64 1,138,000 4.16%
1.08 Preliminaries | Contractor's site overheads | 2,260,000 463 479 393,000 162 168 2,653,000 9.69%
general requirements
1.09 Risk Allowances 2,115,000 433 448 323,000 133 138 2,438,000 8.91%
1.10 Taxes and Levies Not included
2 Associated Capital Costs 4,235,900 868 898 217,000 89 93 4,452,900 16.27%
2.01 Work and utilities off-site 255,000 52 54 35,000 14 15 290,000 1.06%
2.03 Construction-related consultancies and 1,300,300 266 276 80,000 33 34 1,380,300 5.04%
supervision

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Cost code Description Sub-Project Total

Offices Warehouse

AUD AUD/m2 AUD/m2 AUD AUD/m2 AUD/m2 AUD % of '0'

IPMS 1 Floor IPMS 2 Floor IPMS 1 Floor IPMS 2 Floor

Area (m²) Area (m²) Area (m²) Area (m²)

2.02 Post-completion loose furniture, fittings and 2,530,600 518 537 75,000 31 32 2,605,600 9.52%
equipment
2.04 Risk Allowances 150,000 31 32 27,000 11 12 177,000 0.65%
3 Site Acquisition and Client's Other Costs 651,850 134 164 20,000 8 9 671,850 2.45%
3.01 Site acquisition Not included
3.02 Administrative, finance, legal and marketing 651,850 134 138 20,000 8 9 671,850 2.45%
expenses

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 ICMS Explained – A user guide for the International Construction Measurement Standards

Worked example 3: Offices tower, Kuala Lumper, Malaysia

Sheet 1: Office attributes
Attributes
Location City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia
residential | office | commercial | shopping centre | industrial | hotel | car park | warehouse | educational | hospital | airport terminal | railway
Function
station | ferry terminal | mix of the foregoing
Gross external floor area 33,236 m²
Gross internal floor area 32,105 m²
Storeys above ground specific number | 0 - 3 | 4 - 7 | 8 - 20 | 20 - 30 | 30 - 50 | over 50 | house | low rise | medium rise | high rise
Storey below ground 3-level basement
Grade ordinary quality | medium quality | high quality
Hotel grade 1 star | 2 star | 3 star | 4 star | international + the foregoing | local + the foregoing
Funding private | government
Site topology levelled | sloping
Site conditions soft | rocky | reclaimed (underground rock and cavity)
Currency Ringgit Malaysia
Cost Data Final account 2007

Sheet 2: Example Malaysia

Cost code Description Building

$M $/m2 $/m2 % of '0'

Project Quantity 33,236 32,105

IPMS 1 Floor IPMS 2 Floor

Area (m2) Area (m2)

0 Total Capital Costs (1 + 2 + 3) 111,324,809 3,349.5 3,467.5 100.0%

1 Capital Construction Costs 92,398,920 2,780.1 2,878.0 83.0%
1.01 Demolition, site preparation and formation 1,117,820 33.6 34.8 1.0%
1.02 Substructure 18,829,013 566.5 586.5 16.9%
1.03 Structure 15,798,283 475.3 492.1 14.2%
1.04 Architectural works | Non-structural works 20,926,283 629.6 651.8 18.8%
1.05 Services and equipment 32,069,671 964.9 998.9 28.8%
1.06 Surface and underground drainage Not included
1.07 External and ancillary works 1,145,154 34.5 35.7 1.0%
1.08 Preliminaries | Contractor's site overheads | general requirements 2,512,696 75.6 78.3 2.3%
1.09 Risk Allowances Not included
1.10 Taxes and Levies Not included
2 Associated Capital Costs 18,925,889 569.4 589.5 17.0%
2.01 Work and utilities off-site Not included
2.02 Post-completion loose furniture, fittings and equipment 13,489,889 405.9 420.2 12.1%
2.03 Construction-related consultancies and supervision 5,436,000 163.6 169.3 4.9%
2.04 Risk Allowances Not included
3 Site Acquisition and Client's Other Costs 0 0.0 0.0 0.0%
3.01 Site acquisition Not included
3.02 Administrative, finance, legal and marketing expenses Not included

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Appendix C – Further information

For further information on the content of this user guide,
please contact either:
Alan Muse, Global Director of Built Environment
Standards, RICS
+44 20 7334 3803
+44 78 5468 2044
[email protected]
Steven Thompson, Associate Director Built
Environment, RICS
+44 20 7695 1549
+44 79 2905 2520
[email protected]
For further information on the ICMS Coalition
visit http://icms-coalition.org/

RICS © December 2017 35

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and management of land, real estate, construction and
infrastructure. Our name promises the consistent delivery
of standards – bringing confidence to markets and effecting
positive change in the built and natural environments.

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EMEA
Africa Europe
[email protected] [email protected]
Ireland Middle East
[email protected] [email protected]

United Kingdom RICS HQ

[email protected]

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DEC2017/DML/22637/GLOBAL