RICS Code of Measurement Practice
- Duncan Cartlidge
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
RICS Code of Measurement Practice (COMP)
Quantity surveyors will remember the reaction of the profession when NRM2 was published. The new rules, it was thought, had been introduced largely without consultation. Well, the RICS took the same approach with another measurement standard. Back in 2015 the RICS thought it would be a good idea to join the International Property Measurement Standards Coalition or IPMS. The RICS had decided that Code of Measurement Practice (COMP), which had been used for years by industry, including QS’s when working out GIFA, was not now fit for purpose. Between 2016-21 the IPMS released several very complicated measurement rules to replace COMP with each category of building, residential, commercial, etc. having its own discrete set of rules, including the introduction of the Internal Dominant Face (IDF). For a while COMP was archived while the new IPMS rules were made mandatory. All largely without consulting RICS members. Let’s get this right – RICS mandatory guidance means adopt or end up on the naughty step. One anonymous member remarked 'To my knowledge surveyors are continuing to follow the latest RICS Code of Measuring Practice and totally ignoring the above International Measurement Standards which is regarded as a distraction and not relevant.' In 2023 COMP was 'un-archived' and the IPMS coalition, without any explanation, binned the approach of separate measurement rules in favour of one set of All Buildings Rules. I’m not sure why or if anyone noticed.
It now appears that common sense has prevailed and 2026 will see a 7th edition of COMP. It will be similar to the 6th edition although there's ongoing debate on which parts, if any, of the new edition should be mandatory. Watch out for consultation opportunities. IPMS All buildings remain for those who wish to use it. What a waste of time and money.
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