The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 was designed to enable building work while protecting neighbours—not to turn every extension into a battleground. At Simple Survey, we’ve built our service around one idea: if you communicate clearly, set expectations early, and keep everyone informed, you can remove most of the “dispute” from party wall disputes.
Here’s how we make the process smooth, neighbourly and predictable—for Building Owners, Adjoining Owners and fellow surveyors alike.
Start right: clarity beats conflict
Most friction starts before a notice is even served. We help you start on the front foot by preparing plain-English notices that explain what’s happening, why the Act applies, and what choices each neighbour has. We include the key technical information the Act expects—clear plans and sections for excavations; concise descriptions of the time and manner of works—so recipients can make an informed decision without feeling railroaded.
We also encourage early, informal neighbour contact. A short friendly note or a quick chat, backed by a professional notice pack, turns a “nasty surprise” into a respectful heads-up. That tiny shift dismantles a lot of knee-jerk dissents.
Choose the right route: agreed surveyor where it fits
Not every project needs two surveyors. Where the works are conventional, risk is low, and relations are cordial, we recommend the Agreed Surveyor route. One impartial surveyor, appointed by both owners, keeps process simple, costs down, and dialogue open. When a two-surveyor route is the right call—because the scope is unusual, sensitivities are high, or owners prefer separate advisers—we keep it collegiate: prompt replies, focused issues, no grandstanding.
Keep the circle small—and talking
Silence breeds suspicion; we replace it with predictable updates. We set out the milestones at the start (notice served, responses due, draft award, service, start window) and stick to them. If something changes on the builder’s side—programme tweaks, a foundation detail refined—we help the owner communicate that early and, where required by the Act, document it properly so nobody feels blindsided.
Focus on solutions, not points-scoring
Disagreements almost always boil down to three things: timing, method, or access. Our approach is to solve them, not “win” them. We’ll work with designers and contractors to refine sequencing that reduces perceived risk; we’ll suggest practical protection measures that are proportionate; and we’ll propose sensible access arrangements that allow a tidy, well-finished boundary face. When owners feel heard and practical safeguards are visible, temperature drops and agreement follows.
Engineer what matters; ignore what doesn’t
Awards should regulate what the Act actually covers, and only that. We avoid stuffing in irrelevant or punitive conditions that inflame relations or bog a project down. Equally, where risk genuinely exists, we address it properly—clear parameters for noisy work, thought-through excavation sequencing, weathering and protection where needed, and a straightforward route to resolve snags. That balance—no fluff, no gaps—is what keeps projects moving and neighbours calm.
Work well with other surveyors
A big part of removing dispute is professional chemistry. We answer quickly, share the information that matters, and keep correspondence focused on outcomes. Where there’s a difference of opinion, we frame it crisply, set out options, and close it out. The aim is an award that both sides recognise as fair—because it is.
Be transparent on cost and time
Surprises create distrust. From day one we explain fees, typical timeframes, and what could extend them. If a neighbour appoints their own surveyor, we help keep their fees reasonable and contained by staying organised, responsive and on-point. Owners know what they’re paying for and why; neighbours see that process is being handled properly. Confidence goes up, conflict goes down.
Why this works
- People understand the process: no mystery, no suspicion.
- Risk is managed, not exaggerated: practical methods replace abstract worries.
- Everyone feels respected: early contact, clear information, prompt replies.
- The award reads like a plan, not a punishment: it enables the build while protecting the neighbour.
The result? Fewer escalations, faster agreements, and a better experience for both sides—exactly what the Act intended.
Ready to make your party wall process… simple?
Whether you’re serving notices, responding to one, or you’re a fellow surveyor wanting a cooperative counterpart, we’d love to help you keep things calm and constructive.
Simple Survey — RICS Party Wall Surveyors (England & Wales)
📧 team@simplesurvey.co.uk
- 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)
Bring us in early and we’ll help you remove the “dispute” from your party wall dispute.