Party wall advice & surveying

Party wall advice & surveying

If proposed building work may affect a shared wall, a boundary or a neighbouring building, it is worth discussing the party wall position early. We take details of the work and the current stage before confirming the most suitable appointment and fixed fee.

Planning work? Allow time for party wall notices

Speak to us while your plans are being prepared, before you commit to a building start date. Where the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies, the usual minimum notice periods depend on the work:

AT LEAST 1 MONTH

Excavating near a neighbour

Extension foundations and other excavation may need notice where the Act’s distance and depth tests are met. We check the proposed excavation against the neighbouring building’s foundations.

AT LEAST 1 MONTH

Building a new boundary wall

A new wall at the boundary line may require a line-of-junction notice, including a wall built wholly on your land at that line. Building astride the boundary requires your neighbour’s consent.

AT LEAST 2 MONTHS

Working on an existing party wall

Notifiable work to an existing party wall or structure requires a party structure notice. Examples include cutting in beams for a loft conversion, raising the wall or certain structural alterations.

One project can need more than one type of notice. These are minimum notice periods, not a guarantee that work can start when the time expires. Any required consent or party wall award must also be in place. Please ask us to confirm the position for your plans.

From plans to the right next step

1. Send us your plans and intended start date. Tell us whether you are the building owner or a neighbour affected by the work.
2. We identify the notices and timing. We review the scheme, the adjoining properties and any notices already served.
3. We help with the response and any appointment needed. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a schedule of condition and a party wall award.

The earlier you speak to us, the better. Allow time for reviewing drawings, identifying all adjoining owners, serving valid notices and resolving any disagreement before work begins.

Discuss your party wall project

Tell us where the project has reached

Please explain whether you are carrying out work or own a neighbouring property, whether drawings are available, and whether any notices have been served. Dates and documents already received can affect the next steps, so please provide copies when requested.

Define the appointment

We provide fixed-rate prices for each stage that may be required within the party wall process:

1. Reviewing plans and the proposed scheme, then preparing party wall notices for all adjoining owners.
2. Carrying out a schedule of condition to a neighbouring property where this is needed.
3. Preparing the party wall award (agreement) and liaising with any other appointed surveyors to reach agreement so that the works can progress.

Received a party wall notice from your neighbour?

Contact us as soon as you receive it. We can explain what the notice means, what your options are and what is involved in protecting your position as an adjoining owner. In many cases, the building owner carrying out the work will meet the reasonable surveyor’s fees, although responsibility depends on the circumstances and the work proposed.

Start a discussion

Use the enquiry form and select party wall advice, or call 01702 963 001. A submission does not appoint a surveyor or confirm that a statutory deadline has been dealt with. If a date is approaching, tell us directly when you contact us.