Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the general rule is straightforward: the person carrying out the notifiable works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act. That typically includes the cost of valid notices, any surveyor(s) appointed, and the drafting and service of a Party Wall Award where dissent arises.
Below is a clear breakdown of who pays, typical fee ranges, the drivers of cost, and how to keep your total outlay under control—plus our transparent, fixed pricing.
Who usually pays?
The owner doing the works
- Responsible for the reasonable costs of the Party Wall process.
- This normally covers: notices, their own surveyor (if appointed), the neighbour’s surveyor (if separately appointed), and award drafting service.
- May also include the reasonable costs of any necessary third surveyor referral if there’s a dispute between surveyors.
The neighbouring owner
- Generally does not pay for the statutory process triggered by someone else’s works.
- May pay in limited scenarios (e.g., where they request additional works that benefit them, or where the Act expressly provides for cost-sharing).
Typical market fee ranges (guide)
These figures reflect common domestic schemes (lofts, extensions, modest excavations). Complexity, number of neighbours, and responsiveness can shift totals up or down.
- Party Wall Notice service: £25–£250 per notice
- Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor for both owners): £700–£1,500 total
- Two-surveyor route (each side appoints their own):
- “Works” side surveyor: £700–£1,500
- Neighbour’s surveyor: £700–£1,500
- Additional hourly work (where used): £100–£400/hr (complexities, disputes, third surveyor submissions, etc.)
Note: These are broad market ranges. Always request a written scope and fee basis before you commit.
What pushes fees up (or down)?
- Complexity of the works (deep excavations, piled foundations, unusual structures).
- Number of adjoining ownerships (freeholders, long leaseholders).
- Quality and clarity of drawings (clear proposals reduce back-and-forth).
- Responsiveness of parties (faster replies = fewer billable hours in the two-surveyor route).
- Disputes/escalations (narrow, well-documented issues cost less to resolve than sprawling, unfocused ones).
How to keep your total cost low
- Serve valid notices early and correctly. Avoid re-serving (and re-paying) by getting them right first time.
- Keep proposals clear. Concise, comprehensible information reduces debate.
- Consider the Agreed Surveyor route. When appropriate and both sides are comfortable, it’s usually fastest and cheapest.
- If two surveyors are appointed, keep scope tight. Focus discussions on what’s necessary and proportionate under the Act.
- Document promptly. Timely responses mean fewer follow-ups and fewer chargeable cycles.
Our 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 works side): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side. (The other 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 as above.
No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
FAQs
Do I always have to pay my neighbour’s surveyor?
In the standard case where your works trigger the Act and your neighbour appoints a surveyor, yes—provided the fee is reasonable. The Act places that cost on the person benefitting from the works.
Is the Agreed Surveyor option always cheaper?
Usually, yes. One impartial surveyor acting for both parties avoids two sets of fees and streamlines communications—if both owners are comfortable with the arrangement.
Can I cap the neighbour’s surveyor’s fee?
You can’t unilaterally cap it, but fees must be reasonable. If there’s a dispute over reasonableness, it can be determined under the Act’s procedures (including referral to the third surveyor where necessary).
Does planning permission cover Party Wall?
No. Planning permission and the Party Wall Act are separate. You may need both.
When do costs get out of hand?
Typically when notices are invalid and must be re-served, when information is unclear, or when disputes are allowed to sprawl. Good preparation and tight scopes prevent cost drift.
Bottom line
The Act is designed to enable your project while protecting neighbours—not to drain your budget. With correct notices, clear proposals, and proportionate drafting, Party Wall fees are predictable and manageable.
Want the lowest like-for-like Party Wall cost
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk for a fixed-fee plan that keeps your project compliant, your neighbours informed, and your spend under control.