Party wall feels slow when it starts late. It feels straightforward when it’s planned properly.
At Simple Survey, we plan party wall backwards from your intended start date. The aim is simple: the legal timetable should support your build programme—not collide with it.
Step 1: Confirm which parts of the Act apply
Extensions and lofts often trigger more than one category. For example, you might have shared wall elements and excavation elements. Our first step is always to identify the relevant triggers so the notice strategy is correct.
Step 2: Serve notices early enough to protect your programme
The Act includes minimum notice periods and response windows. That’s why we treat party wall as a design-stage activity, not a last-minute admin task. If you only think about notices after builders are booked, your start date is immediately exposed to the statutory timetable.
Step 3: Build in the response window properly
A realistic timeline assumes one of three outcomes:
- your neighbour consents in writing
- your neighbour dissents and the formal route applies
- your neighbour doesn’t respond and the formal route applies
We don’t plan on “best case only.” We plan a route that still works if neighbours are cautious, slow, or silent.
Step 4: Choose the appointment route that reduces friction
If the formal route applies, you’re typically choosing between an agreed surveyor route or a two-surveyor route. We’ll guide you based on your neighbour situation and the complexity of the works, because that decision shapes both timing and cost.
Step 5: Start work when your paperwork is properly set
The best build programmes are the ones without legal uncertainty hanging over them. When party wall is handled early, builders aren’t stood down, materials aren’t delayed, and neighbours aren’t left feeling ignored.
Why “starting early” is the cheapest tactic
Most party wall overruns aren’t caused by paperwork—they’re caused by timing. Rush creates mistakes. Mistakes create rework. Rework creates delay. Delay costs money.
Get Cost Saving Pro Advice Now
If you want a party wall timeline that fits your project—loft, extension, or foundations—get in touch with Simple Survey. We’ll map the process to your intended start date and keep fees clear, with notices starting from £25 per adjoining ownership and agreed surveyor administration typically £300, depending on complexity and owners.