National Building Specification

File:Interim logo - NBS - RGB.svg

NBS (National Building Specification) is a UK-based business providing construction specification information used by architects, engineers and other building professionals to describe the materials, standards and workmanship of a construction project.[https://books.google.com/books?id=cBRnbwfh36AC&dq=national+building+specification&pg=PA376 Building Contract Dictionary By David Chappell 2001] It was launched in 1973 and its information is now used by over 5000 offices.[http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/resources/az/view.jsp?print=true&id=620 Constructing Excellence 8 January 2006]

A specification often forms part of the tender documentation along with architectural drawings for a contractor to price and then forms part of the contract documentation for the builder to construct the building. Since 1988 the NBS data has been structured on the Common Arrangement of Work Sections.

Until 2018, NBS was owned by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) via its RIBA Enterprises subsidiary.[http://www.thenbs.com/corporate/about.asp The NBS] In June 2018, the RIBA announced it was selling a £31.8 million stake in RIBA Enterprises, to LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Bank.{{cite news |last1=Jessell |first1=Ella |title=RIBA sells £31.8m stake in its commercial arm to Lloyds Bank |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/riba-sells-318m-stake-in-its-commercial-arm-to-lloyds-bank/10032009.article |accessdate=15 January 2019 |work=Architects' Journal |date=12 June 2018}} In November 2020, NBS was sold to Hubexo (formerly known as Byggfakta Group), a global company which provides data, insights and software solutions to the construction industry.{{cite news |last1=Whitfield |first1=Graeme |title=Newcastle tech business NBS sold to Swedish group in major deal |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/newcastle-tech-business-nbs-sold-19355226 |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=BusinessLive |date=27 November 2020}} In early 2021 the RIBA received £113 million from the sale of its stake in NBS.{{cite news |last1=Ing |first1=Will |title=RIBA to shed staff and sell property to close £8m deficit |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/riba-to-shed-staff-and-sell-property-to-close-8m-deficit |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=Architects' Journal |date=1 October 2021}}