NBS Chorus
The UK's national platform for writing construction project specifications.
What it is
About NBS Chorus
NBS Chorus (published by NBS, now part of Roper Technologies) is the cloud-based platform used by architects, interior designers, and project managers to write construction specifications — the documents that tell contractors exactly what materials, products, and workmanship standards are required. Specifications sit alongside drawings in contract documentation and are legally binding; an ambiguous or incorrect specification is a common source of construction disputes. NBS Chorus provides a structured, clause-based authoring environment linked to the NRM and Uniclass classification systems, with access to manufacturer-verified product clauses. The platform integrates with Autodesk Revit and other BIM tools through the NBS BIM Toolkit, allowing specification clauses to be linked directly to model elements. This BIM linkage is increasingly required on public-sector projects following UK BIM Level 2 mandates. Architects use NBS to produce performance specifications (defining what a system must achieve) and prescriptive specifications (defining exactly what product must be installed and how).
What you can do with it
Capabilities
Author a project specification using NBS clause structure, selecting between performance and prescriptive options for each system.
Search the NBS manufacturer database and insert a verified product clause directly into a specification section.
Export a specification in PDF or Word format for inclusion in a tender package.
Link NBS clauses to Revit elements using the NBS Revit plugin so the model carries specification data.
Check a specification against NBS guidance notes to identify clauses that may conflict or are missing for the project type.
How to learn it
Learning Resources
NBS Academy — free CPD webinars and tutorials at thenbs.com/learning — covers both technical content and platform skills
RIBA Learning — resources on specification writing practice at architecture.com
NBS YouTube channel — platform walkthrough videos and specification best practice guides
Structured mentoring within a practice: most architectural practices have a senior associate who manages specification templates
Pro Tip
Never copy a specification from a previous project without auditing every product reference — manufacturer part numbers, performance standards, and certifications all change, and a spec citing a discontinued product or withdrawn standard exposes the practice to liability.
Skills that use this tool
Roles that use this tool