CESMM3
NB CESMM3 was replaced by CESMM4 in April 2012. See CESMM4 for more information.
CESMM3 is the Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, Third Edition. It was sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (FCEC - although FCEC dissolved in November 1996 and was superseded by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA)). CESMM3 was published in February 1991.
The first edition of CESMM was published in 1976, following the work of a committee set up by the Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1971 to revise the Standard Method of Measurement of Civil Engineering Quantities. The second edition was published in 1985.
The third edition was produced under the guidance of ICE's CESMM Review Panel. The purpose of the third edition was to; reflect changes in working practices and British Standards, to introduce a new class Z for simple building works incidental to civil engineering works, and to enable the use of CESMM with the ICE Conditions of Contract, 6th edition.
However, on 1 August 2011, the ICE Conditions of Contract were withdrawn in favour of the New Engineering Contract (NEC). As a result, the 4th edition, CESMM4 was published in April 2012. CESMM4 can be used across a range of contract types, including NEC, FIDIC (Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils) and ICC (Infrastructure Conditions of Contract).
Despite this, CESMM3 remains available.
It sets out a procedure for the preparation of a bill of quantities for civil engineering works, for pricing and for the expression and measurement of quantities of work. The bill of quantities enables tenders to be prepared efficiently and can be used to value work completed once the contract has been let.
The work classification system in CESMM3 includes 26 main classes of work commonly undertaken on civil engineering projects and defines; how work is divided into items, the method for describing items, the units to be adopted and the method of measurement.
The contents of CESMM3 are as follows:
- Foreword.
- Section 1. Definitions.
- Section 2. General Principles.
- Section 3. Application of the Work Classification.
- Section 4. Coding and Numbering of Items.
- Section 5. Preparation of the Bill of Quantities.
- Section 6. Completion, Pricing and Use of the Bill of Quantities.
- Section 7. Method-Related Charges.
- Section 8. Work Classification.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- CESMM4.
- Civil engineer.
- Quantity surveyor.
- Institution of Civil Engineers.
- New Rules of Measurement.
[edit] External references
- ICE, Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement third edition.
- CESMM4.
Featured articles and news
Moisture, fire safety and emerging trends in living walls
How wet is your wall?
Current policy explained and newly published consultation by the UK and Welsh Governments.
British architecture 1919–39. Book review.
Conservation of listed prefabs in Moseley.
Energy industry calls for urgent reform.
Heritage staff wellbeing at work survey.
A five minute introduction.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Showcasing the very best electrotechnical and engineering services for half a century.
Welsh government consults on HRBs and reg changes
Seeking feedback on a new regulatory regime and a broad range of issues.
CIOB Client Guide (2nd edition) March 2025
Free download covering statutory dutyholder roles under the Building Safety Act and much more.
AI and automation in 3D modelling and spatial design
Can almost half of design development tasks be automated?
Minister quizzed, as responsibility transfers to MHCLG and BSR publishes new building control guidance.
UK environmental regulations reform 2025
Amid wider new approaches to ensure regulators and regulation support growth.
The maintenance challenge of tenements.
BSRIA Statutory Compliance Inspection Checklist
BG80/2025 now significantly updated to include requirements related to important changes in legislation.
Shortlist for the 2025 Roofscape Design Awards
Talent and innovation showcase announcement from the trussed rafter industry.
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese as well as English.
Comments
The CESMM3 is Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, third edition. The document is intended to be used along with the conditions of the contract. It is also related to the works in civil engineering and simple building works.
The CESMM3 does not involve the calculation of bill of quantities related to large mechanical and electrical engineering works or building works that are complex. That are projects that are not frequent in the civil construction field.When such large project is being encountered, it has to be specially mentioned and described in the bill of quantities, so that tenders may be priced adequately and follows the method of measurement that is stated in the preamble to the bill of quantities.
[edit]