Welcome to NBS |
NBS Training
Forthcoming
NBS Scheduler
public training dates:
13 August 2009
1:30pm – 4:30 pm
London
£165+VAT
Support
If you already subscribe to NBS Scheduler you can access online:
NBS Scheduler
NBS Scheduler enables you to write schedules of work for refurbishment, alteration and small-scale new-build projects without bills of quantities. As you write your schedule of work, a reference specification is automatically generated.
NBS Scheduler: Offers flexibility
NBS Scheduler enables you to construct a schedule of works in any way you want. Although we provide templates, NBS Scheduler doesn’t enforce any particular structure, so you can adapt it to suit your project, selecting only what you need. You can structure your schedule by location or element, or use a combination of both.
NBS Scheduler: It will keep you up-to-date
Customers receive three main updates a year, and interim updates are available to download online. The software reminds you when new updates are available to download.
NBS Scheduler: It will save you time
Constructions and Work items are pre-written so you don’t have to type much, and the guidance for each work item appears beside it on screen for speedy referral. You can add building product information offered by NBS Plus with a single click, and many work items have drop-down lists of commonly specified values enabling you to add them more quickly.
NBS Scheduler: Automatic reference specification
As you create your schedule of works by selecting constructions and work items, a reference specification is produced automatically in the background, so that when you’ve finished, your contractor has a document with statements of quality relating to materials and workmanship.
Up to date information
When you use NBS Scheduler, the software will let you know if you are using the most up to date information. If updated material is available, it will prompt you to download it.
A library of Constructions and Work items
NBS Scheduler contains a library of Constructions which are priceable components of the system (e.g. Plain clay tile double pitch warm roof covering). You build up your schedule of works by selecting constructions that are relevant to your project. Each construction is linked to a corresponding group of Work items. These contain work to be carried out by a single trade (e.g. plain clay roof tiling). You then select and edit the work items that you need for your project.
Refurbishment, Alteration or New-build?
All work items and constructions have been given a status as being particularly appropriate for use in refurbishment, alteration or new build projects. You can filter your search to reduce the amount of content on view and speed up your selection.
Guidance
General guidance is offered with information on materials and design, including workmanship advice and tips on how to avoid pitfalls is provided for each work section. Extensive technical guidance is also provided to help you complete individual work items.
Guidance provides access to technical information resources including websites and The Construction Information Service*.
Building product information
NBS Scheduler contains building product information called NBS Plus. The manufacturers’ information has been written specifically for NBS and is checked for currency at each update. It also offers access to ribaproductselector.com, with links to the websites of thousands of building product suppliers.
Printing and issuing
NBS Scheduler offers flexible printing and exporting options for publishing documents in hard copy or electronic format.
Trades reports
To facilitate contract sub-tendering, you can produce trade reports with a simple click. The software reads your schedule of works and sorts the work into the different trades.
* The Construction Information Service is a searchable database of full text documents from publishers such as BRE and BSI. It is available as an online subscription service from IHS, telephone 01344 404434, email marketing@ihsti.com or visit www.ihsti.com.
NBS Scheduler is a subscription service. As part of the subscription you will receive updates on CD Rom three times a year. Additional updates can be downloaded from the NBS website when available.
For small scale new build and refurbishment works. Enabling the production of Schedules of Work, which may be structured by location, cost element or trade rather than by Common Arrangement. The content of the NBS Scheduler library is derived from NBS work sections.
The scope and contents of NBS Scheduler is listed below:
Current at March 2009
(NBS Scheduler Update 2009-1)
Preliminaries/general conditions within NBS Scheduler
Main Contract Preliminaries/ General conditions |
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| The project generally | ||||
| JCT 2006 Measured Term Contract | ||||
| JCT 2005 Intermediate Building Contract | ||||
| JCT 2005 Intermediate Building Contract with Contractor’s Design | ||||
| JCT 2005 Minor Works Building Contract | ||||
| JCT 2005 Minor Works Building Contract with Contractor’s Design | ||||
| SBCC Housing Grant Agreement | ||||
| SBCC 2005 Minor Works Building Contract | ||||
| SBCC 2005 Minor Works Building Contract with Contractor's Design | ||||
| Engineering and Construction Short Contract (ECSC) | ||||
| ICE Minor Works | ||||
| Tendering/ Subletting/ Supply | ||||
| Provision, content and use of documents | ||||
| Management of the Works | ||||
| Quality standards/ control | ||||
| Security/ Safety/ Protection | ||||
| Specific limitations on method/ sequence/ timing | ||||
| Facilities/ Temporary work/ Services | ||||
| Operation/ Maintenance of the finished building | ||||
| Contractor’s general cost items | ||||
| Work by others or subject to instruction | ||||
| Dayworks | ||||
| General technical requirements | ||||
Subcontract Preliminaries/ General conditions |
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| Preliminaries for JCT named subcontract NAM/SC and T | ||||
Work sections |
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Complete buildings/ structures/ units |
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| B12 | Conservatories | |||
| B15 | Prefabricated framed structures | |||
Demolition/ Alteration/ Renovation |
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| C20 | Demolition | |||
| C40 | Cleaning masonry and concrete | |||
| C45 | Damp proof course renewal and insertion | |||
| C46 | Cavity wall tie renewal and insertion | |||
| C52 | Fungus and beetle eradication | |||
Groundwork |
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| D20 | Excavating and filling | |||
| D50 | Underpinning | |||
In situ concrete/ Large precast concrete |
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| E10 | In situ concrete | |||
| E20 | Formwork for in situ concrete | |||
| E30 | Reinforcement for in situ concrete | |||
| E60 | Precast concrete floors and roof deck | |||
Masonry |
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| F10 | Brick and block walling | |||
| F11 | Glass block walling | |||
| F20 | Natural stone rubble walling | |||
| F21 | Natural stone ashlar walling and dressings | |||
| F22 | Cast stone ashlar walling and dressings | |||
| F30 | Accessories and sundry items for brick, block and stone walling | |||
| F31 | Purpose made precast concrete sills, lintels, copings and features | |||
| F42 | Straw bale walling systems | |||
Structural/ Carcassing metal/ timber |
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| G10 | Structural steel framing | |||
| G12 | Isolated structural metal members | |||
| G20 | Carpentry and timber framing | |||
| G30 | Metal profiled sheet decking | |||
Cladding/ Covering |
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| H10 | Patent glazing | |||
| H20 | Rigid sheet cladding | |||
| H21 | Timber weatherboarding | |||
| H22 | Plastics weatherboarding | |||
| H30 | Fibre cement profiled sheet cladding and covering | |||
| H31 | Metal profiled sheet cladding and covering | |||
| H32 | Plastics profiled sheet cladding and covering | |||
| H43 | Metal composite panel cladding and covering | |||
| H60 | Plain roof tiling | |||
| H61 | Fibre cement slating | |||
| H62 | Natural slating | |||
| H65 | Single lap roof tiling | |||
| H71A | Lead sheet roofing | |||
| H71B | Lead sheet flashings and weatherings | |||
| H72 | Aluminium strip or sheet coverings and flashings | |||
| H73 | Copper strip or sheet coverings and flashings | |||
| H74 | Zinc strip or sheet coverings and flashings | |||
| H75 | Stainless steel strip or sheet coverings and flashings | |||
Waterproofing |
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| J10 | Cementitious mortar tanking and damp proofing | |||
| J21 | Mastic asphalt roofing, insulation and finishes | |||
| J30 | Liquid applied tanking and damp-proofing | |||
| J31 | Liquid applied waterproof roof coatings | |||
| J40 | Flexible sheet tanking and damp-proofing | |||
| J41 | Reinforced bitumen membrane roof coverings | |||
| J42 | Single layer polymeric sheet roof coverings | |||
| J44 | Sheet linings for small pools and ponds | |||
Linings/ Sheathing/ Dry partitioning |
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| K10 | Plasterboard dry linings for walls, partitions and ceilings | |||
| K11 | Rigid sheet flooring, sheathing, decking, sarking, linings and casings | |||
| K20 | Timber board flooring, decking, sarking, linings and casings | |||
| K21 | Wood strip or board fine flooring or linings | |||
| K30 | Panel partitions | |||
| K32 | Panel cubicles | |||
| K40 | Demountable suspended ceilings | |||
| K41 | Raised access floors | |||
Windows/ Doors/ Stairs |
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| L10 | Windows, rooflights, screens and louvres | |||
| L20 | Doors, shutters and hatches | |||
| L30 | Stairs, ladders and balustrades | |||
| L40 | General glazing | |||
Surface finishes |
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| M10 | Cement based levelling and wearing screeds | |||
| M12 | Resin flooring | |||
| M13 | Calcium sulfate based screeds | |||
| M20A | Plastered coatings | |||
| M20B | Rendered and roughcast coatings | |||
| M21 | Insulation with rendered finish | |||
| M40 | Stone, quarry, ceramic and mosaic tiling | |||
| M42 | Wood block, composition block and mosaic parquet flooring | |||
| M50 | Rubber, plastics, cork, lino and carpet tiling and sheeting | |||
| M52 | Decorative papers and fabrics | |||
| M60 | Painting and clear finishing | |||
| M61 | Intumescent coatings for fire protection of steelwork | |||
Furniture/ Equipment |
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| N10 | General fixtures furnishings and equipment | |||
| N11 | Domestic kitchen fittings, furnishing and equipment | |||
| N13 | Sanitary appliances and fittings | |||
| N15 | Signs and notices | |||
| N25 | Permanent access and safety equipment | |||
Building fabric sundries |
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| P10 | Sundry insulation and proofing work | |||
| P11 | Injected cavity wall insulation | |||
| P12 | Fire stopping systems | |||
| P20 | Unframed isolated trims, skirtings and sundry items | |||
| P21 | Door and window ironmongery | |||
| P30 | Trenches, pipeways and pits for buried engineering services | |||
| P31 | Holes, chases, covers and supports for services | |||
Paving/ Planting/ Fencing/ Site furniture |
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| Q10 | Kerbs, edgings, channels and paving accessories | |||
| Q20 | Granular sub-bases to pavings | |||
| Q22 | Asphalt pavings | |||
| Q23 | Gravel, hoggin and woodchip drives and pavings | |||
| Q24 | Interlocking brick or block roads and pavings | |||
| Q25 | Slab, brick, sett or cobble pavings | |||
| Q28 | Topsoil and growing media | |||
| Q30 | Seeding and turfing | |||
| Q31 | External planting | |||
| Q40 | Fencing | |||
| Q50 | Site and street furniture and equipment | |||
Disposal systems |
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| R10 | Rainwater drainage systems | |||
| R11 | Above ground foul drainage systems | |||
| R12 | Below ground drainage systems | |||
| R13 | Land drainage | |||
| R16 | Groundwater pressure relief drainage systems | |||
| R17 | Soakaway, septic tank and sewage treatment systems | |||
Piped supply systems |
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| S15 | Fountains and water features | |||
| S90 | Hot and cold water supply systems | |||
Mechanical heating/ Cooling/ Refrigeration systems |
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| T90 | Heating systems | |||
Ventilation/ Air conditioning systems |
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| U90 | General ventilation | |||
Electrical supply/ power/ lighting systems |
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| V90 | Electrical installation | |||
Communications/ Security/ Control systems |
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| W40 | Access control systems | |||
| W41 | Intrusion and hold-up alarm systems | |||
| W44 | Closed circuit television systems | |||
| W50 | Fire detection and alarm systems | |||
Transport systems |
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| X90 | Lift systems | |||
Building fabric reference specification |
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| Z10* | Purpose made joinery | |||
| Z11* | Purpose made metalwork | |||
| Z12* | Preservative and fire retardant treatments for timber | |||
| Z20* | Fixings and adhesives | |||
| Z21* | Mortars | |||
| Z22* | Sealants | |||
*'Z' sections occur only in the Reference Specification and do not contain work items.
NBS Software Licensing
NBS software can be licensed for use on standalone PCs, or for use on a network. When running on a standalone PC the software will be licence locked for use only on that machine.
For network installations, the software will be licence locked to the server PC. Other PCs on the network may access the licence on the server for concurrent use, up to the number of licences subscribed to.
System requirements
NBS software requires the following components in order to run:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) or higher (download here)
- Microsoft .NET framework 2.0 (download here)
All products require a CD-ROM drive if installing the software from CD.
In addition the software will run on the following platforms:
- Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit (SP1)
- Windows XP Professional (SP3)
- Windows XP Home (SP3)
- Windows XP Pro x64 (SP2)
- Windows 2000 (SP4 with Update Rollup 1 – see MS kb891861)
- Windows 2000 Server and above (for Server PCs).
Full instructions for installation are contained in the Getting Started Guide and help files provided in the software. Our software support team also provide assistance, and you can contact them on 0845 456 9594 (+44 191 232 9594 from outside the UK) and at support@theNBS.com.
Please note that the speed of running any software application depends upon several factors. The following specification is an approximate guide only.
Recommended minimum requirements for all NBS software:
- Processor: Pentium III 1.0GHz
- Memory: 256 MB (For Windows 2000/XP) 512Mb (For Windows Vista)
- Free disk space: 1Gb
- Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 in 32 bit colour.
Apple Macintosh
We have recently tested the compatibility of NBS software with Apple Boot Camp. The specification of the machine tested on is as follows:
- iMac 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
- 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440x900 resolution
- 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo with 2MB shared L2 cache
- 2.0Gb 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
- 160GB Serial ATA hard drive
- Slot-load 8x double-layer SuperDrive
- ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB GDDR3 memory
- Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Please Note: In order to run NBS software using Apple Boot Camp users will require a bona fide full version of Microsoft Windows: XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate with Service Pack 1. (No upgrade or multi-disc versions).
NBS have tested the Specification Family portfolio software (NBS Building, NBS Landscape, NBS Engineering Services), NBS Contract Administrator and NBS Scheduler successfully for standalone and network installations and the platform appears to be very stable.
Although the software has been successfully tested on this platform we cannot guarantee that the software will react the same with another specification Mac. Therefore, we cannot guarantee performance of our software when using Windows on a Mac. Support will be limited for any customers using our software on Mac as we will not be able to determine that the encountered problems are due to our software or the system used.
Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME and NT4
Microsoft has retired support for:
- Windows 95
- Windows 98
- Windows 98SE
- Windows ME
- Windows NT4
Microsoft state that these operating systems are outdated and can expose customers to security risks. NBS do not support these operating systems and recommend that customers who are still running the above upgrade to a newer, more secure Microsoft operating system, such as Windows XP (SP3), as soon as possible.
Fact
There are more than 2000 refurbishment projects started each week.
Client Testimonials
A very good package - very well used in our office. It has revolutionised our tendering of small jobs, which makes up over 50% of our work. It is the best software we use.
Tim Richardson, partner at David Wilson Partnership
As of November 2008,