When you’re ready to build, every day counts. A fast Party Wall Award keeps your programme moving while staying fully compliant with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. At Simple Survey, we’ve designed a lean, digital-first process that removes friction, reduces disputes, and gets a valid Award agreed and served as quickly as the law allows—without cutting corners.
Why speed matters (and what “fast” really means)
The Act is both enabling and procedural: you can’t start notifiable works until the correct notices are served and any dispute is resolved by an Award (or by written consent). That means lead-time lives and dies on process discipline—serving valid notices early, collecting the right information, using clear documentation, and keeping professional momentum.
“Fast” isn’t about skipping steps; it’s about sequencing them smartly so the statutory clock keeps ticking and decisions land promptly.
What’s in a Party Wall Award (done properly)
A well-drafted Award will:
- Authorise the notifiable works under the correct section(s) of the Act (Sections 1, 2 and/or 6).
- Set conditions for the time and manner of execution (e.g., permitted hours for noisy works, dust/noise mitigation, neighbour access logistics where applicable).
- Clarify rights of access under Section 8 and the practical safeguards around them.
- Confirm Security for Expenses (Section 12) where appropriate—how much, how it’s held, and how/when it’s released.
- Allocate costs in line with the Act (normally to the Building Owner, if they benefit from the works).
- Provide the appeal window (14 days from service), and the mechanism for addressing any further disputes that arise during the works.
The Award should be proportionate to the project—tight wording, no “kitchen-sink” legalese, and conditions that are actually workable on site.
How we accelerate the Award (without breaking the rules)
- Serve valid notices early
We prepare and serve compliant notices under the correct sections, addressed to the right parties (freeholder, relevant long leaseholders, management company where applicable). Getting this right on day one saves weeks later. - Neighbour-ready documentation
Clear, plain-English descriptions and drawings help Adjoining Owners understand exactly what’s proposed and why—reducing knee-jerk dissents and unproductive back-and-forth. - Agreed Surveyor where appropriate
If both owners are comfortable, one impartial Agreed Surveyor can often complete the Award faster and more economically than the two-surveyor route. - Momentum in the two-surveyor route
When separate surveyors are appointed, we keep the professional tempo high: concise submissions, targeted queries, and pragmatic drafting. If a stalemate looms, we narrow issues and—only where needed—use the Third Surveyor referral surgically. - Digital-first execution
Drafts and signatures are handled electronically wherever permitted. That means fewer postal lags and fewer “lost in the post” dramas. - Crisp scopes, fewer flashpoints
Awards are tightly scoped to the actual works. Over-broad conditions invite debate and burn time; precise conditions land faster.
Typical fast-track flow
- Kick-off – You share essentials (addresses, drawings, brief of works, target programme).
- Notice strategy – We confirm who to notify, which sections apply, and serve valid notices immediately.
- Responses managed – Consents are logged; dissents are moved straight into surveyor appointments (Agreed Surveyor or two-surveyor). Non-responses are handled via the 10-day request (Section 10(4)) so matters don’t stall.
- Award drafting – Proportionate, enforceable terms reflecting the works, logistics, and access needs.
- Agree, sign, serve – Once the wording is settled, we serve the Award on both owners and confirm the appeal window and next steps.
Common slow-downs (and how we avoid them)
- Incorrect or late notices → We validate sections, parties, and dates up front.
- Ambiguous project descriptions → We translate technical plans into plain English and attach clear drawings.
- Scope creep in drafting → We keep the Award focused on what’s necessary for safety, access, and neighbour protection.
- Radio silence → We diarise key dates and chase professionally so files don’t gather dust.
When “fast” is mission-critical
- A main contractor start date is fixed and you need to unlock site.
- Lenders or conveyancers require a concluded Award before release/exchange.
- Seasonal/weather windows matter (roof, external envelope, piling).
- You’re coordinating multi-trade access or scaffold timelines across a narrow programme.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the fastest possible timeline for an Award?
It depends on the statutory notice period (usually 1–2 months depending on the section), how neighbours respond, and whether one or two surveyors are appointed. Agreed Surveyor, we aim for 1 week post Notice Response. Two Surveyors, we aim for 1-2 Weeks post Notice Response. We can’t change the law, but we make sure no unnecessary days are lost.
Q2: Is an Agreed Surveyor always faster?
Often, yes—one impartial surveyor can streamline drafting and service. But it relies on both owners being comfortable with that route.
Q3: What if my neighbour ignores the notice?
After 14 days with no reply, we issue the 10-day request under Section 10(4). If there’s still no response, a surveyor can be appointed on their behalf so the Award can proceed.
Q4: Do you handle complex schemes (deep excavation, multiple neighbours)?
Yes. We keep the documentation tight, coordinate multiple parties efficiently, and still aim for fixed-fee clarity.
Q5: Can you serve documents electronically?
Where permitted and with appropriate consent—yes. Otherwise, we use first-class post or hand service and keep clear proof of service.
Q6: Who pays for the Award?
Under the Act, the Building Owner typically pays the reasonable costs of administering the process, because they benefit from the works.
Q7: What if a dispute arises between surveyors?
If needed, the issue can be referred to the Third Surveyor for a binding decision. We keep referrals narrow and targeted to avoid delay and cost.
Q8: Can you start work as soon as the Award is served?
Once the Award is served and the applicable notice period has run (or been formally waived/shortened where allowed), the Building Owner may proceed in accordance with the Award’s terms.
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 as above! No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
Need a fast, compliant Party Wall Award?
Don’t let paperwork hold up your programme. We’ll serve valid notices quickly, manage responses, and draft a proportionate Award that keeps your project moving—fast, lawful, and neighbour-sensible.
Email: team@simplesurvey.co.uk with your address, a short description of the works, and any drawings.
Prefer a quick call? Pop your number in the email—we’ll ring you back promptly.
Simple Survey — fast, fixed-fee Party Wall Awards that protect relationships and timelines.