International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS)
The International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS) is an international standard which aims to provide greater global consistency in construction costing.
It is not a detailed method of measuring construction works, but ‘a high level benchmarking and reporting framework for international cost classification, reporting and comparison.’
It was established by the International Construction Measurement Standards Coalition (ICMSC), which is a group of more than 40 professional and not-for-profit organisations. The Coalition was launched at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C. in 2015.
The Coalition points to the fact that the reporting and costing methods used in the construction industry have significant variance according to the market. This means that comparing projects around the world difficult, investment risk is increased, and transparency is impeded.
They argue that this causes ‘huge problems for cost consultants, quantity surveyors, construction economists and cost engineers around the world’. Creating a common standard, they suggest, will improve transparency, investor confidence and public trust.
Other benefits they identify include:
- Improved investment and funding decisions.
- Improved cost prediction and management.
- More consistent accounting.
- Consistent and transparent benchmarking.
- Improved ability to Identify the causes of differences in costs between projects.
The Coalition anticipates that ICMS will be implemented globally through proactive engagement by the Coalition members with relevant stakeholders. It will be used alongside existing standards initially, with the expectation that it will become established over time in construction markets and then used as the primary standard for reporting on construction costs locally and globally.
In September 2019, ICMS was extended to cover life cycle costs and further civil engineering entities.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BCIS.
- Construction costs.
- Cost engineering.
- Cost plans for construction projects.
- International Fire Safety Standards Coalition (IFSS).
- International Property Measurement Standards.
- Measurement.
- Quantity surveyor.
- Whole life costs.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
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.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Comments
It refers to it as 'International Construction Measurement Standards' but it is actually International Cost Management Standard.
https://icms-coalition.org/