Lets start with the headline! Our Fees are Fixed at £25.00 for Notices and £300.00 for Party Wall Awards.
In most cases, the Building Owner pays. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, surveyors determine reasonable costs (s.10(13)). Because the Building Owner benefits from the works, they usually cover:
- Drafting/serving valid notices
- Preparation and service of the Party Wall Award
- The Adjoining Owner’s surveyor’s reasonable fees (if separate surveyors are appointed)
- Any Third Surveyor fees if a referral is needed
Typical fee ranges (guide, not quotes)
- Notices (draft & serve): £25–£250 per notice
- Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor for both parties): £700–£1,500
- Separate surveyors
- Building Owner’s surveyor: £700–£1,500
- Adjoining Owner’s surveyor: £700–£1,500
- Hourly rates for extras (site re-visits, dispute items, damage claims, complex method reviews): £100–£400/hr
- Third Surveyor referral (if needed): proportionate to issue complexity; often time-based
- Security for Expenses (if ordered): sum held to protect against risk, not a fee, but affects cashflow
Actual totals vary with complexity, number of neighbours/leases, access constraints, quality of design info, and how cooperative everyone is. Fees are typically plus VAT.
Who pays when?
- Building Owner: usually pays all reasonable surveyor costs for works under the Act.
- Adjoining Owner: generally does not pay—unless the Award apportions costs (e.g., where their requests are excessive or separate works are for their sole benefit).
- Costs can be re-apportioned by surveyors where behaviour is unreasonable (e.g., needless delay, non-cooperation).
Common exceptions & nuances
- Multiple Adjoining Owners/long-leaseholders: costs scale with the number of parties
- Late design changes: can trigger addendum awards (extra time/cost).
- Damage claims: time to assess quantum, make good, or compensate sits outside the core Award drafting.
How to keep costs down (without cutting corners)
- Engage early and share complete drawings & method (especially for Section 6 excavations).
- Nominate an Agreed Surveyor (neighbour can still choose separate representation).
- Combine notices where appropriate (e.g., s.1 + s.6 have the same 1-month lead-in).
- Respond quickly to info requests—avoid “letter tennis”.
- Be realistic on programme—rushing before an Award almost always costs more later.
Want fixed, low costs—and fewer surprises?
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk. Simple Survey are the lowest-cost party wall surveyors across England & Wales. We’ll map what’s notifiable, draft and serve compliant notices, and issue proportionate Awards—keeping your project and your budget on track.