Articles

When proposed works fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the property carrying out the construction must serve a Party Wall Notice on any affected neighbour. That notice does three things: it identifies the notifiable works, sets the legal timetable, and asks the...

If you’re planning works that touch a boundary, affect a shared structure, or involve deeper-than-usual foundations, there’s a good chance your project is notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Serving the correct notices—early, clearly and to the right...

When a valid Party Wall Notice is served and the neighbour doesn’t reply, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 has a built-in safety valve to stop your project grinding to a halt. That safety valve is Section 10(4)—the mechanism that allows an appointment to be made on behalf...

A party wall notice is the formal trigger for the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 in England and Wales. If your project could affect a shared wall, a boundary wall, or nearby foundations, you’re legally required to notify the neighbouring owner(s) before work starts. Done...

A party wall surveyor is a specialist who helps neighbours follow (and benefit from) the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 whenever building works could affect a shared or nearby structure—think terraced or semi-detached homes, flats with shared floors/ceilings, garden walls...

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...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is the statutory framework that governs building works in England and Wales which may affect a shared wall, boundary line, or nearby foundations. Its purpose is simple: enable development while protecting neighbours. If your project could...

When neighbours appoint separate surveyors under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, those two surveyors must “forthwith” select a Third Surveyor. Most of the time, you’ll never hear from this person. But if the appointed surveyors hit a deadlock—or an owner raises a matter...

If you’ve been served with a Party Wall Notice, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 gives you clear choices—and a clear timeline. The right response depends on your appetite for risk, the complexity of the proposed works next door, and how much formal oversight you want....

A Party Wall Award (sometimes called a “party wall agreement”) is a legally binding decision made under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. When a neighbour’s building works are not consented to, the Act’s dispute-resolution process is triggered and the appointed...

Receiving a Party Wall Notice isn’t optional admin—it’s a formal step under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 that requires a written reply. Your response determines what happens next, who gets involved, and how much control you keep over the process. Here’s the clear,...

When a Party Wall Notice lands, the clock starts. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets clear, legally binding deadlines so projects don’t drift and both neighbours have a fair window to consider what’s proposed. Here’s the simple, no-nonsense breakdown. The first...

Party wall surveying sits at the heart of many home extensions, loft conversions and structural refurbishments in England & Wales. Done properly, it protects everyone’s rights, prevents avoidable friction, and keeps projects moving. Skip it—or get it wrong—and you...

Short answer: anyone who isn’t one of the owners involved can be appointed as a “surveyor” under Section 10 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Practical answer: you’ll want someone competent, impartial and insured—because poor advice costs far more than a fair fee. The...

Yes—you’re allowed to serve your own Party Wall notice. The law doesn’t force you to use a surveyor just to notify neighbours. But a notice is still a legal document: get the content, timing, or service wrong and you risk delays, invalid paperwork, or avoidable...

When two party wall surveyors can’t agree, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a built-in safety valve: the Third Surveyor. They’re selected “forthwith” by the two surveyors at the start and can be called on later to decide specific disputed matters. That safeguard...

When a neighbour serves a valid Party Wall Notice and you dissent, you’re entitled to appoint your own party wall surveyor. A common question is: what will my surveyor cost—and who pays? Below is a clear, current overview so you can make an informed decision without...

If you’re planning works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, one of the first budget lines you’ll want to understand is your own surveyor’s fee. Below is a clear, no-nonsense guide to typical costs, what drives them up (or down), and how to keep control...

Here’s the short answer first: in England & Wales, the average paid cost to have a professional draft and serve a Party Wall Notice typically falls between £25 and £150 per adjoining ownership. Many firms charge more—up to ~£250 per notice—but that’s not essential...

Short version: most headaches around the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 come from the same myths—about when notices are needed, how consent works, who pays, what “agreed surveyor” really means, and whether planning permission covers you. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense...

When a Party Wall Notice lands on your doormat, you’ve got three basic choices: consent, dissent and appoint an agreed surveyor, or dissent and appoint your own surveyor. The right answer isn’t simply “yes” or “no”—it’s about weighing risk, clarity and timing against...

Planning a loft conversion that touches a shared wall or sits close to your neighbour’s structure? If your neighbour dissents to the notice, a Party Wall Award (also called a “party wall agreement”) will be put in place before work starts. While every project is...

When a neighbour dissents to a Party Wall Notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you have two compliant ways to resolve the dispute and authorise the works: Appoint a single Agreed Surveyor (one impartial surveyor acting for both owners), or Each owner appoints...

If your project could affect a shared wall, boundary or nearby foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out a clear, step-by-step path from first notice to starting work. Here’s a practical walkthrough that keeps you compliant, on programme, and on good terms...

If a Party Wall Notice has landed on your doormat (or inbox), the clock has started. This isn’t junk mail; it’s a legal document under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Handle it well and you’ll protect your property, reduce hassle, and avoid needless cost. Ignore it and...

This long-form guide explains exactly when the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies, who you must notify (and how), what happens after a notice is served, how awards are agreed, and how to keep costs and timelines under control. It’s designed as an evergreen resource with...

Summary:Party wall paperwork shouldn’t drain your budget or stall your build. At Simple Survey, we produce robust, compliant party wall awards quickly—and for less. Our lean process, digital service model and fixed-fee structure mean you get the legal certainty you...

Summary:Delays and uncertainty around the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can stall projects and inflate costs. Simple Survey delivers fast, plain-English guidance the moment you need it—mapping your works to the correct sections of the Act, confirming who must be notified...

Summary:Party wall costs spiral when notices are invalid, communication is fuzzy, or fee structures are open-ended. Simple Survey keeps you in control with transparent, fixed pricing, rapid compliant notices, and a streamlined pathway through the Act. Our processes...

Summary:When time is tight, slow or invalid notices can derail your programme. Simple Survey delivers compliant, neighbour-ready party wall notices at speed—without compromising accuracy. We combine precise scoping, digital-first drafting and same/next-day service to...

When your project brushes up against a boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 isn’t optional—it’s the framework that keeps your timeline, budget and neighbour relationships intact. What you do have a choice over is the quality of advice and how efficiently that advice...

Delays in party wall procedures can stall programmes, increase prelims, and strain neighbour relations. The good news: with the right workflow, most domestic projects can progress to a robust party wall award swiftly—often within the statutory window—without...

Party wall procedures don’t have to be combative, slow or expensive. With clear communication, valid paperwork and proportionate awards, most matters can move from notice to completion without friction. At Simple Survey, we design every step to de-escalate: diagnose...

When building work edges near shared structures or boundaries, you need guidance that is clear, lawful and practical. “Robust” party wall advice means three things: (1) getting the legal triggers right from the outset, (2) serving valid notices on the right people at...

A Party Wall Award should be swift, clear and proportionate. At Simple Survey, we’ve streamlined the process into three disciplined steps that keep risk low, paperwork correct, and costs firmly under control. The result: compliant awards, minimal friction, and the...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 adds a defined legal framework to many home improvement projects—yet the costs to comply don’t have to derail your budget. In our experience, spiralling party wall fees usually stem from unclear scopes, open-ended hourly billing, and...

When you’re planning building works near a boundary or shared structure, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 introduces a defined process—and with it, defined costs. Budgeting early avoids cash-flow shocks, keeps your programme realistic, and prevents avoidable disputes....

Great—your Party Wall notice is out the door. Now the real admin begins. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a process with clear forks in the road depending on how neighbours respond. If you follow the next steps precisely, you’ll keep momentum, avoid re-serving...

Party wall costs don’t have to spiral. With smart preparation, clear paperwork, and the right delivery strategy, you can keep fees predictable—and low—without compromising compliance under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Here’s a practical playbook you can use today. 1)...

If you’re planning works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you’ll quickly discover that surveyor fees vary wildly. Some firms quote fixed fees; others run an open-ended hourly meter that can make budgeting… interesting. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide to...

Choosing a party wall surveyor can make the difference between a smooth, work-enabling process and a slow, expensive slog. The right professional will keep you compliant with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, minimise neighbour friction, and protect your programme and...

Serving Party Wall Notices and getting to an Award can feel like a maze—especially on your first project. Here are the five questions we’re asked most by building owners, answered simply so you can keep momentum, control costs, and protect neighbour relations. 1) “Do...

When a Party Wall Notice lands on the mat, most neighbours have the same immediate worries: what does this mean for my home, my routine, and my wallet? Below are the five questions we hear most from adjoining owners—answered plainly so you can make confident decisions...

Even with a clear Act and good intentions, party wall matters can still skid into dispute—often between the surveyors themselves. When that happens, programmes slip, fees swell, and neighbour relations fray. Here are the five flashpoints we see most—plus calm,...

When your project sits near the boundary, access over next-door’s land can be the difference between a smooth build and a costly headache. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 gives a clear, lawful route for temporary access—if you follow the rules. Here are the five facts we...

Good neighbourly relations are priceless—especially when you’re building. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is designed to enable projects while protecting both sides, but misunderstandings can sour the mood fast. Here are practical, field-tested tips to keep everyone...

If you’ve started looking around for Party Wall help, you’ve probably noticed the wild spread in quotes. Some firms bill by the hour, others hide extras in the small print, and a few won’t commit to a number at all. At Simple Survey we keep it… simple: clear scope,...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is procedural: if the notice is invalid, the clock hasn’t started, rights may not have been engaged, and any “you must reply in 14 days” pressure may be misplaced. The good news? Invalid notices are fixable—and a well-handled reset can...

You’ve opened the post and found a Party Wall Notice. Now what—consent or dissent? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on the scope of works, how clearly they’re defined, and how confident you feel about risk, timing, and neighbour...

Short answer: no. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, each owner has the right to choose their own surveyor, or both owners can jointly agree to use a single Agreed Surveyor. Your neighbour cannot force you to appoint their preferred person, and you don’t need to give...