Getting the drawings right is one of the easiest ways to keep your Party Wall process smooth and drama-free. Some drawings are legally required with a notice; others aren’t strictly mandated by the Act but are strongly recommended because they remove ambiguity, reduce questions, and speed up agreement.
Below is a clear, section-by-section guide to what you should attach, the level of detail expected, and the practical standards that help neighbours (and surveyors) understand the proposal at a glance.
The legal baseline: when drawings are mandatory
Section 6 (Adjacent Excavation)
If your works include excavation close to a neighbour’s structure, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires you to serve:
- A plan showing the position of the excavation relative to the adjoining structure; and
- A section showing the depth of the proposed excavation.
What “good” looks like
- Drawings to scale (e.g., 1:100 plan / 1:50 or 1:20 section).
- The horizontal distance to the neighbour’s structure dimensioned (e.g., “2.6 m from flank wall”).
- The formation level (e.g., “Proposed trench to 1.0 m below existing ground level”).
- Existing ground level and, where known or reasonably assumed, the neighbour’s foundation depth (label as “assumed” where appropriate).
- If using piles/ground beams, show pile positions, diameters, and cut-off levels.
Where drawings are not strictly required—but are wise
Section 1 (New Wall at the Line of Junction)
The Act doesn’t force you to include drawings with a Section 1 notice, but a simple pack avoids confusion:
- Site plan or block plan: boundary line, proposed wall position (on your land vs astride the boundary), wall length.
- Cross-section: wall thickness, footing position and depth relative to the boundary.
- If proposing special foundations (reinforced foundations that project), make that explicit—these require the neighbour’s express consent.
Section 2 (Works to a Party Structure / Party Fence Wall)
Again, the Act doesn’t mandate drawings here, but they help enormously:
- Marked-up plan(s) highlighting the exact wall/area affected.
- Wall or connection details for notifiable works (e.g., steel beam pockets, flashings, chases, padstones).
- Elevations/sections if you’re raising, rebuilding, or exposing a wall.
What about methods and calculations?
The Act requires plans and sections with excavation notices. It does not require you to serve structural calculations or method statements with the notice itself. In practice, concise details (e.g., beam schedule, piling layout, trench depths, bearing levels) often speed agreement—because they answer the obvious questions upfront. Save heavyweight design reports for when they’re specifically requested.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Missing Section 6 drawings: Serving an excavation notice without the required plan and section risks invalidity and delay.
- Ambiguous boundary lines: If the proposal is “up to” vs “astride” the boundary, show that clearly.
- Tiny, unreadable PDFs: Send vector PDFs at usable scales; avoid screenshots of drawings.
- Out-of-date revisions: Make sure revision numbers and dates on the drawings align with the works described in the notice.
- Unlabelled depths: “Foundations as needed” is not enough—state a depth or range with assumptions.
FAQs
Do planning drawings satisfy Party Wall requirements?
Often, yes for layout context; but excavation notices still need a section with depth. Planning packs rarely show excavation formation levels, so include a specific Section 6 plan/section sheet.
What drawing scales should I use?
Typical: 1:100 plan, 1:50/1:20 sections/details. The key is legibility and accurate dimensions.
Can I submit hand sketches?
If they’re to scale, clearly dimensioned, and legible, yes. Professionally drafted PDFs are preferable, especially for complex schemes.
Do I need to show my neighbour’s exact foundation depth?
Not always. If unknown, state a reasonable assumption and show your proposed depth relative to that. Clarity about assumptions is better than silence.
Are structural calculations required with the notice?
No. The Act requires plan and section for excavations. Calculations can be provided later if requested, or if they help address a specific concern.
What if my foundations are piles?
Include a plan with pile positions and a section with pile depth/cut-off level and ground beam level. If within 6 m and your founding depth intersects the 45° line from the neighbour’s foundation, Section 6(2) can be engaged—your drawings should evidence this.
Do I need Land Registry or title plans?
Not mandatory, but a title plan overlaid on your site plan can help demonstrate boundary intent—handy where the line of junction is a point of sensitivity.
Transparent, fixed pricing
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted).
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee, depending on complexity and number of notices/owners.
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the building owner): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side. (The adjoining owner’s surveyor often bills hourly; we work to keep those costs reasonable and contained.)
- Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks): we’ll still offer the fixed pricing above.
- No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
Bottom line
For Section 6, plan and section drawings are mandatory. For Sections 1 and 2, clear, scaled drawings aren’t compulsory but they are the fastest route to understanding—and to a smooth, dispute-free process. Keep it legible, dimensioned, and consistent with your final design.
Need compliant drawings and notices turned around quickly?
Simple Survey drafts, checks, and serves legally correct Party Wall Notices with the right drawings attached—fast and affordably.
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk to get started today.