When an Adjoining Owner dissents to a Party Wall Notice, there are two routes:
- Appoint your own surveyor, or
- Concur in a single Agreed Surveyor acting for both owners.
Cost: why an Agreed Surveyor is usually cheaper
In many cases, one impartial surveyor costs less than two separate appointments. That said, surveyor fees vary widely, so “cheaper” isn’t guaranteed. Ask for fee terms in writing before you decide.
How an Agreed Surveyor can be appointed
- Via the Notice: The Building Owner may suggest a surveyor on the notice; the Adjoining Owner can concur.
- By Adjoining Owner choice: The Adjoining Owner can choose the surveyor, and the Building Owner can agree to appoint them as the Agreed Surveyor. (This often improves confidence in impartiality.)
Important: Every owner always retains the right to appoint their own surveyor instead. An Agreed Surveyor only proceeds if both owners agree.
Fees: fixed vs hourly—and what “reasonable” means
- When a surveyor prepares notices for a Building Owner, they often quote fixed fees for multiple scenarios (including acting as Agreed Surveyor).
- A surveyor initially approached by an Adjoining Owner may offer a fixed fee to act as Agreed Surveyor—but doesn’t have to. If not, fees will be on an hourly basis and must be reasonable in light of the scope and complexity.
Impartiality: how the Act frames it
While the Act doesn’t use the word “impartial” explicitly, it implies it—owners can’t act for themselves, and the law permits one surveyor to act for both. Many Adjoining Owners are wary of a surveyor “put forward” by the neighbour; a practical solution is to nominate your own choice to act as the single Agreed Surveyor.
What if a surveyor has already been “pre-appointed” for the Building Owner?
Where notices were served by a surveyor on the Building Owner’s behalf, their authority letter may anticipate their later appointment if there’s a dissent. Technically binding or not, most surveyors will stand down so an Agreed Surveyor can take over—formally by deeming themselves incapable of acting to comply with the Act.
No Third Surveyor in the Agreed Surveyor route
If you choose a single Agreed Surveyor, there is no Third Surveyor safety net. Your remedies are:
- Appeal the Award in the County Court (serious step—take legal advice first), or
- Use the Section 10(7) “neglect to act” mechanism: if the Agreed Surveyor fails to act, either owner can serve a request; if they still don’t act within 10 days, you can replace them with another Agreed Surveyor or revert to two separate surveyors.
Quick decision checklist
- Trust & complexity: Straightforward works + cooperative neighbour? Agreed Surveyor often suits. Complex engineering or strained relations? Consider separate surveyors.
- Fees in writing: Ask for fixed fee or a clear hourly basis with estimates.
- Impartiality comfort: If wary of a neighbour’s suggestion, propose your own Agreed Surveyor.
- Backstop awareness: With an Agreed Surveyor, there’s no Third Surveyor; know the 10-day remedy and appeal route.
- Programme: Agree realistic timelines; an experienced Agreed Surveyor can streamline the process.
Want an impartial, low-cost Agreed Surveyor (or a quick second opinion)?
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk—the lowest-cost party wall surveyors across England & Wales—for clear fee terms up front, balanced Awards, and smooth handling whether you choose one surveyor or separate appointments.