If there’s one party wall area that surprises homeowners most, it’s excavations.
People often assume party wall only matters if you touch a shared wall. But excavation for foundations can trigger the Act even if all visible work seems “on your side.”
At Simple Survey, we treat foundations as a priority check because they’re a common trigger on extensions—and they’re often discovered late.
Why excavation is treated differently
Digging near a neighbour can create movement or instability, especially in older housing stock or where ground conditions vary. That’s why the Act sets out a notice route for excavations near neighbouring structures.
The “3m / 6m” concept (how people experience it)
Most homeowners hear about the “3-metre rule.” In simple terms, excavation close to a neighbour can trigger a notice requirement if you’re digging deeper than their foundations might be.
In some deeper scenarios, a wider distance is relevant. The exact triggers depend on distance and depth geometry, which is why we always assess it against your drawings and foundation design rather than relying on hearsay.
Timing: foundations don’t wait for paperwork
Extensions often start with digging. If notices are served late, the entire programme can be disrupted before the build properly begins.
That’s why we build excavation checks into the earliest planning stages: if the Act applies, you want that clock running early—long before your builder is on site.
What makes excavation notices go smoothly
Neighbours tend to be more comfortable when the notice makes the excavation easy to understand:
- where the trench is
- how deep it will be
- how close it is to their structure
Clarity reduces fear. Reduced fear reduces dissent. And reduced dissent helps your build keep momentum.
Our approach at Simple Survey
We keep it practical. We assess whether excavation triggers the Act, prepare the correct notices, and guide you through the likely outcomes—consent, dissent, or silence—so your programme stays realistic.
Get Cost Saving Pro Advice Now
If you’re planning foundations for an extension or basement and suspect the Act might apply, get in touch with Simple Survey. Our party wall notice service starts from £25 per adjoining ownership, and we’ll help you set the excavation side up correctly and calmly from the start.