Fast and Affordable Nationwide Party Wall Surveying services
What is the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 sets out framework to ensure that adjoining owner protections are in place in advance of a building owner carrying out construction works to their property.
The Act places obligations on the building owner, notably that they will need to notify an adjoining owner in advance and in writing of the proposed works
The adjoining owner can respond to this notification with the appointment of a Party Wall Surveyor, with that Surveyor then formally administering the Act, concluding in a Party Wall Award or agreement.
Party Wall Works can be separated into three different categories:
Works directly to a Party Wall, a Party Structure (ceiling or floor) or a Party Fence Wall (garden wall).
Digging within 6 metres of any neighbouring property (this includes any structure that forms part of the property).
Building new walls up to, or on the boundary line between two different properties.
What Is the Party Wall Process?
Party Wall Notice
If the planned works are covered by the Act, the building owner has a legal requirement to give written Notice to the adjoining owner a minimum of one or two months prior to the works commencing.
Party Wall Surveyors
If the adjoining owner doesn’t provide their written consent to the Notice, the Act allows for both parties to each appoint their own Party Wall Surveyors, or to agree on the appointment of a single joint impartial Surveyor, referred to as an Agreed Surveyor.
Party Wall Award
The Party Wall Surveyor, or Surveyors, will prepare a legal document referred to as an Award. This specifies the work that can be carried out and how and when they can be done. The Party Wall Award ensures both owners have necessary legal protections in place.
Express Service by Qualified Surveyors
Our fees are the lowest in the market, we achieve this by operating a desktop based model which is underpinned by RICS Codes of Conduct and Practice, RICS standard Party Wall Notice and Party Wall Award templates ensuring smooth agreement.
Building Owner Information
Based on Adjoining Owner Party Wall Notice Response, our fixed fees will be one of the following 3 outcomes:
| Notice Responses | Our Fees |
|---|---|
|
Option 1: Consent Consenting, means the adjoining owners will be giving you the go ahead without any further of the Act’s procedures being followed. |
Notice Service: £20.00 + VAT. |
|
Option 2: Dissent, Agreed Surveyor Appointment Dissenting and appointing an Agreed Party Wall Surveyor means that one of our Surveyors acts impartially on behalf of both you and the adjoining owner agreeing a Party Wall Award. |
Notice Service: £20.00 + VAT. Acting as the Agreed Surveyor: £300.00 + VAT. |
|
Option 3: Party Wall Notice Dissent, Two Surveyor Appointment Dissenting and appointing their own Surveyor, this will mean that a Surveyor acts for the adjoining owner and one of our Surveyors acts on your behalf. Both Surveyors will undertake the same roles as response option 2, concluding their input via the agreement of a Party Wall Award. |
Notice Service: £20.00 + VAT. Acting as the building owner’s Surveyor: £325.00 + VAT. Adjoining owner’s Surveyor’s fee. We would advise a budget of up to £1500.00 + VAT. This is not a fee we are charging, instead your neighbour’s surveyor’s fee that you are liable for. |
Want a Fixed Fee Quote?
If you’re a building owner and would like to obtain a Party Wall Service quote, simply complete the form below, we will review and respond with a fixed cost quotation.
We will not be beaten on cost!
Adjoining Owner Information
Want to appoint us as your Party Wall Surveyor
If you’re an adjoining owner you will not be liable for the fees, it is the building owner who covers these.
If want to appoint us as your Party Wall Surveyor, simply complete the form below.
What are Party Wall Works
If they are considered Party Wall Works, we will supply a fixed-fee quotation and confirm which adjoining owners need to be served with a Party Wall Notice.
If your project does not fall under Party Wall Works, we will issue written confirmation to that effect. This document can be shown to the adjoining owner should they later request a Party Wall Notice.
Alternatively, you can use our Party Wall Works check tool, which can help you get an initial understanding of whether your planned works are likely to qualify as Party Wall Works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Party Wall Surveyor for my project?
From there, the next steps depend on how your neighbour responds to the Party Wall Notice. If they sign and provide written consent, no further surveyor involvement is usually required and the works can proceed.
A surveyor becomes necessary if your neighbour dissents or does not respond within 14 days. At that point, the procedures under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 apply, and surveyors may need to be appointed. Proceeding without following the correct process can create significant risk, including delays, disputes or legal action that could stop your project.
How much does a Party Wall Surveyor cost
If your neighbour dissents and both parties agree to appoint a single Agreed Surveyor, the Party Wall Award fee starts from £300 + VAT. Costs can increase if your neighbour appoints their own separate surveyor, as the building owner is usually responsible for reasonable surveyor fees on both sides.
A clear and courteous conversation with your neighbour before serving notice can often help avoid unnecessary costs.
What happens if my neighbour ignores the Party Wall Notice?
If your neighbour does not respond within 14 days, this is treated as a dissent under the Act. It does not matter whether they missed the notice or chose not to respond; the deadline runs from the date the notice is served.
Once the 14-day period has passed without a response, the dispute procedure begins and surveyors may need to be appointed. It is best not to delay at this stage, as waiting for a late response can hold up your project unnecessarily.
How long does the Party Wall process take?
If your neighbour consents, the process can be completed once the notice period requirements are satisfied. If they dissent, additional time will be needed for the Party Wall Award to be prepared and served. For a straightforward matter, the full process typically takes around two to three months.
The most common delays occur when notices are served too late. Ideally, you should begin the Party Wall process as soon as your drawings are ready.
Can I start work without a Party Wall agreement?
What is a Party Wall Award?
Once served, the Award is binding on both parties. It allows the building owner to proceed with the authorised works while giving the adjoining owner formal protections under the Act.
Who pays for the Party Wall Surveyor?
The most cost-effective route is often to appoint an Agreed Surveyor, where both parties use the same surveyor. This avoids two separate sets of fees and can help keep the process simpler and more efficient.
However, the adjoining owner does have the right to appoint their own surveyor, and the building owner will usually be liable for that cost.
What type of work needs a Party Wall Notice?
First, works directly to a shared wall, such as cutting into it, raising it, removing a chimney breast or inserting steel beams.
Second, excavation works within 6 metres of a neighbouring property, where the excavation will go deeper than the neighbour’s foundations.
Third, building a new wall on or along the boundary line.
Loft conversions, rear extensions and basement projects commonly trigger the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. If you are unsure whether your proposed works require notice, the free checker on this page can provide an initial indication based on your property type and planned works.