Below is a practical guide to how party wall surveyors usually price their work, and why fees vary between projects.
Lets start with our fees, £25.00 for Notices, £300.00 for Awards. Nice simple, low cost and straightforward!
1) Building Owner’s Surveyor (Fixed-Fee, Typically)
When acting for the building owner, surveyors will often review drawings, the number of affected neighbours, and overall complexity before works start and then quote a fixed fee based on likely notice responses.
Typical fixed-fee ranges
- Party Wall Notice service: £0–£250 per adjoining owner
- Party Wall Award: £400–£2,500 (scope/complexity dependent)
In most cases, the building owner’s surveyor will set out a fee menu at the start, with the payable item(s) triggered by how each adjoining owner responds.
2) Agreed Surveyor (Single Surveyor for Both Owners)
Where both owners appoint one Agreed Surveyor, the fee is usually fixed.
- If the surveyor who served the notices is later appointed as Agreed Surveyor, the pre-quoted fixed fee normally applies.
- If notices were served by someone else (or DIY) and the adjoining owner later agrees to appoint your preferred surveyor as Agreed Surveyor, that surveyor will then submit a fixed (or occasionally variable) fee for approval at that point.
Why this can save money/time: One surveyor, fewer hand-offs, faster agreement—so typically lower overall cost for the building owner.
3) Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor (Usually Hourly)
When acting for the adjoining owner, surveyors rarely offer fixed fees because time input is less predictable. Charges are commonly hourly.
Typical bands
- Hourly rate: <£100 to £450+/hour (seniority and expertise drive the top end)
What drives the final bill
- Work complexity: Basements, underpinning and piled schemes take longer than, say, simple loft steels.
- Smoothness of agreement: Clear drawings, prompt replies, and a well-prepared building owner’s surveyor reduce hours.
- Information quality: Concise, complete structural info and method statements cut down queries and meetings.
Keeping Adjoining Owner Fees “Reasonable”
Under the Act, fees must be reasonable. If the building owner (or their surveyor) believes the adjoining owner’s surveyor’s fee is excessive, they can refer the fee to the Third Surveyor for determination. This check-and-balance helps keep costs proportionate to the task.
Quick Tips for Building Owners to Control Cost
- Provide complete, clear information early (drawings, sections, calcs, method statements).
- Respond quickly to queries to avoid dead time.
- Consider the Agreed Surveyor route where appropriate and acceptable to your neighbour.
- Sequence sensibly: avoid late design changes that trigger rework.