Not every notifiable project under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a nail-biter. Many common residential jobs are firmly at the “minor” end of the risk spectrum—still requiring proper notices and (sometimes) an Award, but rarely needing heavyweight engineering, security for expenses, or months of wrangling. At Simple Survey, we keep these light-touch matters… light touch.
Below, we break down typical “minor” works, what makes them lower risk, and the practical steps to keep costs down and neighbours on side.
1) Chimney breast removal (Section 2 works)
When executed with hand tools and non-percussive methods and backed by a competent structural design (gallows brackets or, more often, steel support per engineer’s calcs), chimney breast removals are usually straightforward Party Wall cases.
Why risk is lower: Localised work on the party wall with controlled vibration and a clear load path.
How to do it right:
- Serve a valid Party Structure Notice (2 months).
- Expect the Award to require hand tools at the party wall interface and prescribe safe sequencing.
- Ensure the chosen contractor respects the Award’s method conditions—this is where most issues arise if corners are cut.
2) Section 1(5) works: building up to (not astride) the boundary line
A new external wall “to, but not over,” the line of junction is common for rear or side extensions.
Why risk is lower: The wall remains wholly on the Building Owner’s land; complexity is mostly around temporary access rather than shared fabric.
Key to success:
- Serve a Section 1(5) Notice (1 month).
- Include a robust access method statement under Section 8 (how scaffolds/stack systems will be erected, protection to finishes, hours, duration).
- The Award typically grants tightly defined access windows and protections, keeping disruption—and risk—low.
3) Injection DPCs (damp-proof courses) into the party wall
These are notifiable Section 2 works when injected into shared fabric.
Why risk is lower: Injections are small-bore, shallow operations.
Good practice:
- Notice under Section 2 (2 months).
- The Award will commonly require non-percussive drilling, careful hole spacing, and clean reinstatement of finishes.
- Keep your neighbour informed on timing and extent; clarity avoids complaint.
4) Third surveyor referrals—rare, and usually avoidable
Not “works,” but often a source of anxiety. In two-surveyor appointments, a third surveyor is selected as a tribunal backstop.
Reality check:
- Competent surveyors work hard to avoid third-party referrals; they are genuinely rare on minor schemes.
- Where used, they determine only the point in dispute, often swiftly.
- Staying communicative, pragmatic, and precise with method statements keeps you well clear of referral territory.
Why these projects still need the Act (even though risk is low)
- It’s the law. If the work is notifiable, a valid Notice must be served.
- It protects both sides. An Award (where there’s a dissent) sets out the lawful method, access, and protections—removing uncertainty and preventing escalation.
- It keeps jobs moving. Clear conditions mean contractors can price and programme with confidence—and neighbours know what to expect.
Fast-track tips for minor works
- Serve valid Notices early. Don’t leave it to the week before you break ground.
- Use plain-English method statements. Especially for access and tool restrictions; they reassure neighbours.
- Introduce your contractor. A quick hello goes a long way to reduce friction during short, localised works.
- Choose fixed-fee, qualified surveyors. Minor jobs shouldn’t attract major fees.
Simple, fixed pricing (that really stays simple)
- 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 for our side
(we work to keep your neighbour’s surveyor’s hourly fees reasonable and contained)
You’ll know the cost up front. No open-ended “time charges,” no surprises.
Make your minor works even simpler
Send us your drawings and the site address. We’ll confirm what’s notifiable, serve valid Notices, and—if needed—produce a crisp, buildable Award with sensible, low-risk methods tailored to your project.
Email: team@simplesurvey.co.uk
A short, sensible process. Low risk. Low cost. That’s Simple Survey.