RICS QS & Construction Practice Information (Black Book)

The ‘Black Book’ is a collection of technical practice documents which covers all processes throughout the construction project life cycle. The documents are essential development tools for junior professionals working through their APC and useful guides to best practice for more experienced professionals.

A project is currently underway to review and update the Black Book content with the aim of producing a comprehensive new edition, with improved presentation and navigation. Expected to publish in 2025, the new Black Book will comprise of an overarching global professional standard, accompanied by practical guidance material.

In the meantime, interim updates have been issued on the topics that appear below:

Acceleration, 2nd edition

The document summarises what is meant by ‘acceleration’ in the construction industry, how acceleration can be achieved in practice, and how it can be valued.

Ascertaining loss and expense 2nd edition

The ascertainment of loss and expense is a set of tasks that endeavour to calculate as precisely as possible, and in accordance with the contract, the additional costs or losses incurred by one party directly due to a default of the other.

Change Control and Management, 1st edition

Changes are almost inevitable during construction projects of any size. This guidance note gives advice on how to handle changes proposed and made...

Commercial Management of Construction, 1st edition

The role of a commercial manager, and the functions performed, play a critical part in the commercial and financial success of a construction project

Conflict Avoidance and Dispute Resolution in Construction, 1st edition

This guidance summarises what is meant by conflict avoidance and dispute resolution, identifying the key issues that all surveyors should understand

Construction Security and Performance Documents, 1st edition

This guidance reviews security and performance documents normally associated with a construction project.

Cost analysis and benchmarking 2nd edition

This practice information summarises the purpose and process of both cost analysis and construction project benchmarking.

Cost Reporting, 1st edition

This guidance explains the purpose of cost reporting, the factors affecting outturn cost and explores the different formats and types of cost report.

Damages for Delay to Completion 2nd edition

Originally published as a guidance note in 2011 this document has been rewritten as practice information, so as to account for changes in legislation, case law and construction contracts introduced since 2011.

Defects and rectifications 2nd edition

This practice information is aimed at construction professionals who manage the identification and rectification of defective construction work when it occurs or those who have to address the consequences of this defective work.

Defining Completion on Construction Works, 1st edition

With reference to a variety of construction contracts, this note summarises the principal features of completion of construction works.

Developing a construction procurement strategy and selecting an appropriate route

Originally published as a guidance note in 2013 this document has been rewritten as practice information, so as to account for changes in legislation, case law and construction contracts introduced since 2013.

Employer's agent: design and build, 1st edition

This is for use with the JCT Design and Build Contract and considers the role and responsibilities of the employer's agent and other non-core pre-...

E-Tendering, 2nd edition

Concerned with the tender process and procedure rather than procurement, this note provides guidance on perceived barriers to the wide-scale adopt...

Extensions of time, 1st edition

Delays occur on most construction projects, and always have done. At some point during a project, particular parts of the works, or the works as a whole, will not progress as quickly as planned, with the risk that the contractual completion date will not be met.

Final account procedures, 1st edition

This guidance note summarises what a final account is and how they are used to establish a final adjustment to the contract price.

Fluctuations, 1st edition

This guidance outlines the different fluctuating price mechanisms for use in contracts, selection of appropriate mechanisms and techniques for calc...

Interim valuations and payment, 1st edition

Most construction contracts require interim payments to be paid to the contractor. This is to relieve the contractor of the burden of financing the whole of the works until completion, which can take many months or years.

Lender's Independent Monitoring Surveyor, 1st edition

This guidance note supports the work of chartered surveyors who assess risks and give technical advice to those who provide third-party finance on...

Lifecycle Costing, 1st edition

This guidance note summarises what is meant by a lifecycle costing and whole life costing service for new construction and for the refurbishment of...

Management of risk, 1st edition

This practice information provides a reference point for professionals on the discipline of risk management.

Retention, 1st edition

This guidance examines the general principles of retention, including law, reasons for introduction within a contract, levels of retention, and how...

Subcontracting, 1st edition

This guidance note covers most issues that can arise when subcontracting on a major construction project. Some of these issues will not arise on...

Tendering Strategies, 1st edition

This guidance summarises what tendering is and how tendering processes are used to establish a contract price.

Termination of Contract, Corporate Recovery and Insolvency, 1st edition

This guidance reviews termination of contract, corporate recovery and insolvency, primarily from the perspective of a chartered surveyor with a...

Value management and value engineering, 1st edition

This note introduces the concepts of value management and value engineering in relation to construction projects and to the role of the chartered...

Valuing change, 1st edition

This practice information summarises what is meant by ‘change’ and how it is valued under JCT, NEC and FIDIC forms of contract.

Black book notification

A project is currently underway to review and update the black book content with the aim of producing a comprehensive new edition, with improved presentation and navigation. While this review is taking place, we have withdrawn a number of guidance notes which have been rendered out-of-date by the publication of various forms of contract, legislation and case law. Although these documents cannot be relied on as guidance, they contain relevant principles of custom and practice and can be accessed from our archive for information only.

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