A Party Wall Notice isn’t just a polite heads-up—it’s the formal step that starts the clock. When notices are vague, incomplete, served too late, or served on the wrong people, the process slows down and your project pays the price.
At Simple Survey, we’re built around one principle: serve the correct notice, with the correct information, at the correct time—so you don’t lose weeks fixing avoidable mistakes.
The three notice scenarios we see most
Most residential projects fall into one (or more) of these types of notice situations:
Boundary-related work: building a new wall at or up to the boundary line.
Works to an existing party wall/party structure: altering a shared wall in a way covered by the Act.
Excavations: digging for foundations close to a neighbour.
The “type” matters because the notice periods and details you must include can differ. One of the most common issues we see is a homeowner serving a generic letter that doesn’t correctly reflect the legal category of the works.
Timing is where projects get caught out
Home projects move fast: design, builder, start date. Party wall is often remembered late. But the Act includes minimum notice periods and response windows. If you don’t allow for them, the build start date becomes a wish, not a plan.
We plan notice timing backwards from your intended start date. That way, you don’t end up with scaffolding booked, materials ordered, and then a statutory process landing in the middle of the schedule.
What makes a notice smooth (and what makes it stressful)
Notices tend to go smoothly when they are:
- Specific about what you’re doing (not “general building works”)
- Clear on location (which wall, which boundary, which excavation area)
- Supported by simple drawings where needed (especially for foundations)
- Served on the right legal owners (which isn’t always “the person next door”)
Notices turn stressful when they’re confusing. Confusion leads to concern. Concern leads to dissent. And dissent triggers a more formal route.
The neighbour response reality
A key myth we correct early is: “If they don’t reply, they must be fine.” Silence doesn’t equal agreement. The Act provides a defined process when there’s no consent. That process exists to keep matters moving, but it’s far easier when the notice was correct from day one.
Get Cost Saving Pro Advice Now
If you want your party wall notices served properly the first time—accurate, clear, and on schedule—get in touch with Simple Survey. Our party wall notice service starts from £25 per adjoining ownership, with transparent pricing designed to keep your project moving.