Net benefits
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.
NRM3: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works, the terms ‘Net Savings’ (NS) and ‘Net Benefits’ (NB) refer to:
'…the present value of savings/benefits in the operation ‘in use’ phase less the present value of the additional investment costs to achieve them. It provides a measure of cost effectiveness and of the benefits to be achieved from investment options. NS/NB greater than 0 (zero) indicates positive cost effectiveness.'
In natural heritage terms, net benefit (enhancement / new benefit) refers to: ‘… the genuine (as opposed to asserted) improvement of the natural heritage interest of a site or area, for example, because adverse effects are limited in scope and scale, and the project includes measures to improve the physical state or management of landscapes or habitats, or new landscape features or habitats, which are better than they are at present. There is, therefore, a net or new benefit to the natural heritage.’ Ref A handbook on environmental impact assessment, 4th edition, published by Scottish Natural Heritage in 2013.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Capital costs for construction projects.
- Cost plan.
- Cost-benefit analysis in construction.
- Development appraisal.
- Discounting.
- Internal rate of return for property development.
- Investment.
- Life cycle assessment.
- Net present value.
- NRM1.
- NRM2.
- NRM3
- Profitability.
- RICS.
- Value for money.
- Whole life costs.
- Yield.
Featured articles and news
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.