When your project brushes up against a boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 isn’t optional—it’s the framework that keeps your timeline, budget and neighbour relationships intact.
What you do have a choice over is the quality of advice and how efficiently that advice is delivered.
At Simple Survey, we provide clear, pragmatic guidance that is legally robust, commercially sensible and—crucially—cost-effective.
Our approach is simple: diagnose the legal triggers accurately, serve valid notices promptly, use proportionate documents, and keep communication calm and precise. That combination resolves most issues before they become “disputes” and keeps your programme moving.
What “reliable advice” looks like in practice
Accurate scoping
We tie each element of your scheme to the correct section(s) of the Act (Sections 1, 2, and/or 6). Getting this right first time prevents delays and re-service.
Valid notices, right owners
We identify freeholders and any relevant leaseholders, then serve notices with compliant content, method and timings. No shortcuts that come back to bite.
Plain-English documents
Neighbours respond faster—and more positively—when paperwork is intelligible. We write for understanding, not for show.
Proportionate awards
When an award is required, we keep it focused on the notified works and practical conditions. Proportion = speed and fewer grounds for challenge.
Tight escalation
If a referral is unavoidable, we frame a narrow question. Narrow questions get quicker answers and keep costs down.
Transparent, market-leading pricing
We keep our pricing simple and public. If you provide a genuine like-for-like written quote that beats ours, we’ll beat it.
| Service | What’s included | Our fee |
|---|---|---|
| Party Wall Notice service (per adjoining ownership) | Correct forms, content & timing; compliant service plan | £25 (multi-notice bundles discounted) |
| Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor) | From dissent to a proportionate award | Typically £300 fixed (depends on complexity & number of owners) |
| Two-surveyor route (we act for the party doing the works) | Fixed-fee proposal covering our side end-to-end | From £325 |
| Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks) | Same fixed-fee philosophy; proportionate drafting | Fixed as above |
| Billing policy | Itemised scope, firm totals | No surprises, no creeping extras |
How we protect your programme: realistic time chart
Statutory notice periods are fixed by law; our job is to make everything else seamless.
| Stage | Typical duration | How we keep it tight |
|---|---|---|
| Intake, scoping & owner checks | 0–1 working day | Established workflows and owner lookups |
| Drafting & service of notices | Same/next working day | Electronic service where lawful; postal proof where needed |
| Initial neighbour response period | 14 days | Clear covering notes; rapid answers to reasonable queries |
| Non-response follow-up (s.10(4)) | 10 days | Issued immediately on day 15—no drift |
| Award preparation & agreement (if required) | 3–7 working days (typical) | Proportionate drafting; focused issues only |
| Service of award | Same day (digital where permitted) | Coordinated service so appeal windows align |
| Appeal window | 14 days | Clear, balanced drafting reduces appeal risk |
Remember: Section 2 works require 2 months’ notice; Sections 1 and 6 require 1 month. With our process, you’re ready to proceed the moment the statutory clock runs.
Why clients choose Simple Survey
- Compliance without drama: We focus on outcomes—lawful, practical and timely.
- Cheapest like-for-like pricing: Fixed, published fees that undercut the market.
- National coverage: England & Wales, with capacity to start quickly.
- Digital by default: Where the Act permits, we sign and serve electronically to compress downtime.
FAQs
Do I need party wall notices if I’m only building on my land?
Possibly. Building right up to the boundary (Section 1) or excavating within the prescribed distances/depths (Section 6) can still trigger the Act even when all foundations sit on your side.
If my neighbour doesn’t reply, am I stuck?
No. After 14 days of silence, a further 10-day request under Section 10(4) keeps the process moving. The Act anticipates non-response so your project isn’t in limbo.
Is the Agreed Surveyor route always cheaper and faster?
In most domestic matters, yes. One impartial surveyor typically means fewer touchpoints and quicker agreement. Both neighbours must consent to this route.
Can my neighbour force me to use their surveyor?
No. Each side may appoint their own surveyor, or both may jointly appoint a single Agreed Surveyor—by mutual consent only.
Who pays?
Generally, the party carrying out the works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act. Any apportionment or exceptions will be set out in the award.
What if the project is complex (e.g., deep excavations or multiple flats next door)?
Complexity doesn’t have to mean chaos. We apply the same fixed-fee philosophy and proportionate drafting, coordinate service to multiple owners, and keep questions tightly framed.
The bottom line
Reliable party wall advice is about precision, pace and proportion—not page count. With Simple Survey you get all three, at the lowest like-for-like cost in England & Wales. We make the Act work for your programme, your budget and your relationship with next door.
Get a fixed, itemised quote today: email team@simplesurvey.co.uk.
Simple Survey — clear, compliant and consistently the cheapest like-for-like party wall service.