Even with competent contractors and a well-drafted Party Wall Award, construction carries risk. If the Adjoining Owner’s property suffers damage as a result of notifiable party wall works, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a clear route to put things right—and it also recognises that further professional time may be needed to resolve the fallout. That is where additional surveyor fees can arise. Building Owners should budget for this possibility from day one.
Why surveyor fees can increase after damage
Once damage is reported, the situation moves from the “base” administration of the Award into damage resolution. The Act empowers the appointed surveyor(s) to:
- Assess causation: Is the defect likely to have been caused by the notified works or by something else (pre-existing condition, general wear, unrelated building activity)?
- Scope the remedy: What is the proper method to make good? What is the reasonable cost and timescale?
- Direct the remedy: Decide whether the Building Owner’s contractor should make good, or whether a payment in lieu should be awarded so the Adjoining Owner can appoint their own contractor.
Each of these steps requires professional time—reviewing evidence, visiting site where needed, liaising with owners and contractors, agreeing method statements, pricing the remedy, and recording the outcome. That time is not part of the initial notice/award baseline; it is additional and therefore attracts further fees.
Who pays those additional fees?
Under the Act’s cost principles, where damage is caused by the notifiable works, the Building Owner is typically responsible for:
- The reasonable cost of making good (or a fair payment in lieu), and
- The reasonable surveyors’ fees incurred in determining, directing, and closing out the matter.
That can include the Adjoining Owner’s party wall surveyor’s extra time, the Building Owner’s surveyor’s extra time, and—in more technical cases—reasonable fees for any specialist advice needed (e.g., structural input on repair methodology).
How the process usually unfolds
- Damage is reported
The Adjoining Owner notifies the surveyor(s) promptly, ideally with clear photographs and a concise description of when and how the defect was noted. - Surveyor engagement under the existing appointments
The appointed surveyor(s) are already in post under the original dispute. They are empowered to deal with “any matter connected with any work to which the Act relates”—including damage claims. - Assessment and determination
Surveyor(s) gather facts (contractor account, sequencing, method used, timing) and determine on the balance of probabilities whether the works caused the damage. If yes, they direct the remedy and apportion costs. - Damage Addendum / Further Award
The decision is normally set out in a further award (or addendum to the original Award) covering responsibility, scope, time and manner of making good, access, and any sums payable in lieu—plus surveyors’ fees for this phase. - Close out
If the Building Owner’s contractor makes good, the surveyor(s) confirm completion in line with the award. Where payment in lieu is awarded, evidence of reasonable spend is typically shared to close the file.
Practical tips to minimise both damage and downstream fees
- Choose low-impact methods: Hand tools for sensitive party wall operations reduce vibration and the likelihood of cosmetic cracking spreading.
- Stick to the Award: Follow the time-and-manner restrictions. Deviations create risk—and disputes.
- Communicate early: If the contractor needs to vary sequence or method, tell the surveyor(s) before proceeding.
- Report issues promptly: Early intervention usually means smaller repairs and lower fees.
Budgeting reality for Building Owners
Even well-run projects can generate small, legitimate claims—for example, hairline cracking to finishes adjacent to structural alterations. You should assume there may be some surveyor time required to triage and resolve issues and set aside a sensible contingency for:
- Minor making-good or payment in lieu; and
- Additional surveyor fees needed to investigate, direct and close out the matter.
Treat it like any other professional service during construction: if the work creates additional issues to resolve, reasonable professional time will follow.
Our transparent fees
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted)
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee (depends on complexity and number of notices/owners)
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the Building Owner): fixed-fee proposals from £325
(we work to keep your neighbour’s surveyor’s hourly fees reasonable and contained)
When damage arises, we’ll set out clear, staged estimates for any additional surveyor time—so you remain in control.
Need fast, fair damage resolution?
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk.
We’ll review swiftly and reply with a straightforward action plan, a tight, fixed quote for our next steps, and a target timetable to get the issue resolved—professionally, proportionately, and with neighbourly goodwill intact.