Director’s adjustment
The New Rules of Measurement (NRM) are published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). They provide a standard set of measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement and whole-life costing for construction projects.
According to NRM2: Detailed measurement for building works, a director’s adjustment is:
| …a reduction or addition to the tender price, derived by the contractor’s estimating team, offered by the director(s) of the contractor. |
The contractor’s directors, or other senior managers, will typically perform a commercial review of the estimated price with a view to how best to secure work. They may then decide to adjust to the estimated price, taking into consideration the need to secure work, the level of competition in the market, the company’s cash flow, financing charges and so on.
This will be identified as a separate line in the bill of quantities, where the contractor can insert their adjustment.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Approximate bill of quantities.
- Bill of quantities breakdown structures.
- Bill of quantities.
- Elemental bill of quantities.
- Firm bill of quantities.
- Measurement.
- NRM2.
- Tender documentation.
- Tender pricing document.
- Types of bill of quantities.
- Work package bill of quantities.
- Work section bill of quantities.
Featured articles and news
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Some of the articles relating to water, here to browse. Any missing?
Recognisable Gothic characters, designed to dramatically spout water away from buildings.
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.























