When building work edges near shared structures or boundaries, you need guidance that is clear, lawful and practical. “Robust” party wall advice means three things:
(1) getting the legal triggers right from the outset,
(2) serving valid notices on the right people at the right time, and
(3) turning any dissent into a swift, proportionate Party Wall Award so your programme stays on track.
At Simple Survey, we specialise in lean, compliant processes that minimise friction and cost—backed by the cheapest like-for-like pricing we’ve seen in England & Wales.
What “robust” looks like in practice
1) Diagnose the triggers accurately
Identify which parts of your scheme fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996:
- Section 1 – New walls at or astride the line of junction.
- Section 2 – Works to party structures and party fence walls (e.g., cutting into, raising, re-building, cutting away projections, weathering junctions).
- Section 6 – Adjacent excavations within prescribed distances and depths.
Misdiagnosis causes invalid notices, late re-serving, and avoidable delay. We map ownerships (freeholds and relevant long leaseholds) and tie the description of works precisely to the sections engaged.
2) Serve correct notices—properly and promptly
Robust advice means valid content, correct parties, and the right lead-in:
- Two months for Section 2 works.
- One month for Section 1 and Section 6 works.
- Use clear, plain-English descriptions and include the required drawings for Section 6 (plans/sections).
3) Manage responses to keep momentum
If a neighbour consents, you can proceed in line with the Act. If they dissent or don’t reply, the Act’s dispute route applies. We help you choose the most economical path:
- Agreed Surveyor (one impartial surveyor for both owners) — usually fastest and cheapest.
- Two-surveyor route (each owner appoints one) — we keep issues tightly scoped and correspondence focused.
4) Produce a proportionate, enforceable Award
A good Award authorises the works, sets sensible conditions, and clarifies logistics like timing and access—without bloating the paperwork. Lean drafting reduces downstream queries and keeps overall spend down.
5) Keep it professional
Robust advice includes neighbour-friendly communication: share high-level information early, avoid surprises, and respond promptly. Professional tone defuses flashpoints and limits the chance of escalation.
Why Simple Survey is consistently cheaper
- Fixed-fee building blocks rather than open-ended hourly meters for standard work.
- Digital-first workflows (where permitted) cut admin time and postage costs.
- Proportionate drafting that avoids needless complexity and keeps counterpart time—and fees—down.
- Smart escalation only when necessary, with tightly framed issues.
Transparent, fixed pricing
| Service | What’s included | Our fee |
|---|---|---|
| Party Wall Notice service (per adjoining ownership) | Correct forms, content & timing; service plan | £25 (multi-notice bundles discounted) |
| Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor) | From dissent to Award, one impartial surveyor | Typically £300 fixed (depends on complexity & number of owners) |
| Two-surveyor route (we act for the owner carrying out works) | Fixed-fee proposal covering our side end-to-end | From £325 |
| Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks) | Same fixed-fee model; proportionate documents | Fixed as above |
| Billing policy | Itemised scope, firm totals | No surprises, no creeping extras |
If you receive a genuine, like-for-like written quote that beats ours, we’ll beat it.
FAQs
Do I always need to serve notices?
Only if your works fall within Sections 1, 2 or 6. Robust advice starts with a correct diagnosis; if the Act isn’t triggered, we’ll say so.
How early should notices go out?
Work backwards from your planned start date and statutory lead-ins (one or two months depending on section). Build in time for responses and Award agreement where needed.
Can a neighbour force me to use their surveyor?
No. Each side may appoint their own, or both may agree to a single Agreed Surveyor. Agreement must be voluntary.
What if the neighbour ignores the notice?
Non-response after the statutory period is treated as a dissent. The procedure continues under Section 10 so you’re not stuck indefinitely.
Who pays the fees?
Generally, the person carrying out the works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act. Any exceptions or apportionments are set out in the Award.
Is the Agreed Surveyor route safe?
Yes—provided both owners are comfortable. The Agreed Surveyor must act impartially, and it’s usually the fastest, most economical path to an Award.
What makes an Award “robust”?
Clear linkage to the notified works, lawful conditions, practical logistics, and clean service. It should authorise the works without unnecessary baggage.
Budget snapshots (typical domestic scenarios)
- Loft steelwork into a party wall (one neighbour):
Often Agreed Surveyor. Market totals £700–£1,200. Simple Survey c. £325 (Notice £25 + Agreed Surveyor ~£300). - Rear extension with adjacent excavation (one neighbour):
Often two surveyors. Market combined £1,500–£2,500. Simple Survey: our side from £325, with lean handling to anchor the combined total below market medians. - Complex foundations / multiple neighbours (e.g., flats):
Market £2,500–£5,000+. Simple Survey: low unit-cost notices + fixed-fee administration; proportionate drafting to control overall spend.
The Simple Survey approach in one line
Diagnose correctly → Notify properly → Resolve proportionately. That’s robust party wall advice—and it’s how we keep your project compliant, cordial and cost-effective.
Get robust, fixed-fee party wall advice today
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk for an itemised quote and immediate next steps.
Simple Survey — quick, compliant, and consistently the lowest total cost for Party Wall matters in England & Wales.