New code of estimating practice
The Code of Estimating Practice was originally published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in 1996. It went on to become a highly-respected industry resource, providing an authoritative guide to the principles of, and good practice in, estimating for building work for those involved in procuring and pricing construction works, both in the public and private sectors.
It presents estimating as part of the wider process of commercial management for construction businesses. This is not simply a matter of winning a bid - if the bid is successful, the estimate goes on to form the basis of the contractor’s budget and cost management strategy.
The seventh edition was published in 2009 and included new material on estimating strategy, tendering, procedures and best practice, as well as the build-up of unit rates of cost, overheads and profit, and e-commerce.
In March 2018, it was re-branded as the New Code of Estimating Practice. https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/New+Code+of+Estimating+Practice-p-9781119329640
This new version has been completely rewritten to include more contextual and educational material, and now covers:
- Estimating practice.
- The bidding process.
- The fundamentals in formulating a bid.
- The pre-qualification process.
- Procurement options.
- Contractual arrangements and legal issues.
- Preliminaries.
- Temporary works.
- Cost estimating techniques.
- Risk management.
- Logistics.
- Resource and production planning.
- Computer-aided estimating.
- Information and time planning.
- Resource planning and pricing.
- Preparation of an estimator’s report.
- Bid assembly and adjudication.
- Pre-production planning and processes.
- Site production.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Approximate quantities cost plan.
- Bills of quantities.
- Budget.
- Chartered Institute of Building.
- All-in rates.
- Contract sum analysis.
- Contract sum.
- Cost consultant.
- Cost control.
- Cost engineering.
- Cost plans for construction projects.
- Elemental cost plan
- Final account.
- Initial cost appraisals.
- Mark-up.
- Measurement.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- Pre-tender estimate.
- Procurement.
- Project overheads.
- Tender documents.
- Top down and bottom up estimating.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.