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, fixed prices, no surprises—and we’ll beat any genuine like-for-like written quote in England & Wales.
Below is a straight-talking guide to how fees work across the market, the traps to avoid, and why our model consistently lands at the lowest total cost without cutting corners.
Why fees vary so much
1) Hourly vs fixed:
Hourly rates (£120–£350+ p/h) look harmless until a matter drifts. Fixed fees transfer the risk away from you.
2) Scope creep:
“Basic” quotes often exclude key tasks. Each “extra” adds time and money.
3) Communication & process:
Unclear notice strategy or unclear documents invite disputes—and extra professional time.
4) Experience:
Inexperienced providers can look cheap up front but cost more via delays, re-drafts, or escalations.
The market at a glance (typical ranges)
- Notice drafting/service: £50–£250 per adjoining ownership
- Agreed Surveyor route (single surveyor): £600–£1,500 fixed or blended
- Two-surveyor route: Building Owner’s surveyor often fixed (£700–£1,500), Adjoining Owner’s surveyor often hourly (uncapped)
- Complex works (deep excavations, multiple owners): often quoted “subject to” or by high hourly rates
Our promise: transparent, fixed pricing
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted).
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee, depending on complexity and number of notices/owners.
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the building owner): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side. (The adjoining owner’s surveyor often bills hourly; we work to keep those costs reasonable and contained.)
- Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks): we’ll still offer the fixed pricing above.
- No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
Like-for-like cheaper quote? Send it to us—we’ll beat it.
Like-for-like comparison checklist (use this on any quote)
- Is the fee fixed? If hourly, what’s the cap?
- Exactly what’s included? Notices (all sections as needed), responses, award drafting, service, third surveyor protocol.
- Are there “admin”, “file opening”, or “postage” add-ons?
- What’s the plan for non-response? (Section 10(4) pathway)
- How are multi-owner buildings handled? (Freeholder + leaseholders)
- What triggers extra fees? Be specific.
- How fast can they start and turn documents around?
- Price-match policy? If not, why not?
Real-world savings you’ll feel
- Upfront certainty: You can budget once.
- Tight, clean documents: Fewer queries = fewer costly delays.
- Early engagement: We help you avoid flashpoints that spiral into fee-heavy wrangling.
- Focused escalation: If a referral is unavoidable, we keep the scope narrow to contain third-party costs.
FAQs
What’s included in your fixed fees?
The core statutory paperwork and administration you need under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996: correct notices, response handling, drafting/serving compliant awards, third surveyor protocol, and pragmatic guidance throughout.
Who pays the fees?
Normally, the person carrying out the works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act.
Can you act as the Agreed Surveyor for both sides?
Yes—if both owners are comfortable. This route is usually the fastest and cheapest to a compliant award.
What if my neighbour ignores the notice?
The Act anticipates non-response. We’ll progress the statutory Section 10(4) route correctly and keep momentum.
Do you cover complex projects (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks)?
Yes. We still price on a fixed basis and manage risk, neighbours, and timelines efficiently.
How fast can you start?
Typically same or next working day for notice prep once we have the basics. Our processes are engineered for speed without sacrificing compliance.
Any hidden extras?
No. If anything optional could arise (e.g., additional owners or extra notices), we flag it upfront and price it clearly.
Bottom line
If you want Party Wall compliance that’s quick, correct, and genuinely low-cost, you want a provider that fixes the fee, keeps the scope tight, and moves decisively. That’s Simple Survey.
Get a fixed quote now and see why we’re the cheapest like-for-like in England & Wales.
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk and we’ll come back with a clear price and a simple plan to get your Party Wall paperwork done.