When a neighbour dissents to a Party Wall Notice, a “dispute” (in the Act’s technical sense) is triggered. At that point, owners have two routes:
- Each owner appoints their own surveyor, or
- Both owners jointly appoint a single “Agreed Surveyor.”
An Agreed Surveyor is one impartial professional who acts for both the Building Owner and the Adjoining Owner to administer the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and issue a binding Party Wall Award.
What does an Agreed Surveyor actually do?
Largely the same as two surveyors would—just streamlined into one role:
- Review the proposals and identify notifiable elements.
- Set protections in the Award (time & manner of work, access, safeguards, damage pathway).
- Deal with damage/disputes arising from the works (often via addendum award).
- Allocate costs in line with the Act.
Appointments must be in writing, the surveyor must act impartially, and the resulting Award is binding (with a 14-day statutory appeal window).
Pros of appointing an Agreed Surveyor
- Faster: One decision-maker removes back-and-forth between two surveyors.
- Lower cost: Typically only one fee to the Building Owner rather than two sets of fees.
- Simple point of contact: Clear responsibility for notices, schedules, and the Award.
Cons and sensible cautions
- No Third Surveyor: With a single appointment, there isn’t a pre-selected third surveyor to break deadlock between two appointees (because there’s only one). If the Agreed Surveyor can’t act, a fresh appointment is needed.
- Perception risk: Some neighbours feel more comfortable with “their own” surveyor, particularly on complex builds or where relations are already strained.
- Complexity threshold: For basement schemes, deep excavations, or unusual structures, separate surveyors can provide broader scrutiny and specialist balance.
How to decide—quick checklist
Choose the Agreed Surveyor route if most of the following are true:
- Works are straightforward (e.g., typical loft steels, modest extension, chimney breast removal).
- You want to reduce time and fees while keeping robust protections in place.
- Both owners are comfortable with the proposed surveyor’s track record and impartiality.
Consider separate surveyors if:
- The project is structurally complex (basement, piling, extensive underpinning).
- There’s history of dispute or very low trust between neighbours.
- Either owner prefers independent representation on principle.
Our practical take
If the Surveyor who served the Notice is experienced, impartial, and well-qualified, the Agreed Surveyor route often delivers the best balance of speed, cost-efficiency, and clarity. Where risk is higher or relations are fragile, two surveyors can be the wiser path.
Want an impartial, low-cost Agreed Surveyor?
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk. Simple Survey are the lowest-cost party wall surveyors across England & Wales. We’ll validate what’s notifiable and produce a fair, clear Award—keeping your project compliant and neighbourly.