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 sacrificing compliance or clarity.
This article sets out a practical, professional route to faster awards, together with transparent pricing and a realistic timeline.
What actually slows awards down?
- Invalid or vague notices (wrong owners, missing content, incorrect sections cited).
- Late or piecemeal information (design changes after notice; unclear methodology).
- Unfocused correspondence that balloons into multiple side issues.
- Unnecessary escalation (wide referrals instead of narrow, well-framed points).
Our approach removes those friction points: precise notices, complete information up front, proportionate drafting, and escalation only when strictly necessary.
Our fast-track method
1) Diagnose the legal triggers correctly
We tie each proposed element to the correct section(s) of the Act (Section 1, 2 or 6). Precision at this stage prevents scope disputes.
2) Serve valid notices on day one
Correct parties, compliant content, clear descriptions, correct lead-in period (two months for Section 2; one month for Sections 1 and 6). Where the Act allows, we use electronic service to maintain momentum.
3) Keep communication calm and clear
Neighbours respond faster when the paperwork is intelligible. We write in plain English and answer reasonable queries promptly.
4) Select the fastest lawful route
- Agreed Surveyor (one impartial surveyor for both sides) is usually the quickest and cheapest.
- If two surveyors are appointed, we maintain a tight, focused brief and avoid letter-tennis.
5) Draft proportionate awards
Authorise the notified works, set practical conditions, define access and logistics, and avoid kitchen-sink clauses. Proportionate drafting is quicker to agree and easier to follow.
6) Escalate narrowly (if needed)
Where a referral is unavoidable, we frame a single, precise question to the Third Surveyor. Narrow questions = faster answers.
Transparent, market-leading pricing
| Service | What’s included | Our fee |
|---|---|---|
| Party Wall Notice service (per adjoining ownership) | Correct forms, content & timing; service plan | £25 (multi-notice bundles discounted) |
| Act administration as Agreed Surveyor | From dissent to a proportionate award | Typically £300 fixed (depends on complexity & number of owners) |
| Two-surveyor route (we act for the party doing the works) | Fixed-fee proposal covering our side end-to-end | From £325 |
| Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks) | Same fixed-fee philosophy; proportionate drafting | Fixed as above |
| Billing policy | Itemised scope, firm totals | No surprises, no creeping extras |
Time chart: how we compress the programme
| Stage | Statutory/typical duration | How we keep it fast |
|---|---|---|
| Notice drafting & validation | 0–1 working day | Pre-built templates, correct parties, clear scope |
| Service of notices | Same/next working day | Electronic service where permissible; postal proof where needed |
| Initial response window | 14 days | Neighbour-friendly covering notes; prompt Q&A |
| Non-response follow-up (s.10(4)) | 10 days | Issued immediately on day 15 to avoid drift |
| Award preparation & agreement | 3–7 working days (typical) | Proportionate drafting; focused issues only |
| Service of award | Same day digital service where permitted | Coordinated service so appeal windows align |
| Appeal window | 14 days (set by the Act) | Drafts that minimise appeal risk by being clear and balanced |
Reality check: the notice period itself is fixed by statute (two months for Section 2; one month for Sections 1 & 6). Our job is to make everything around it seamless so you’re ready to proceed as soon as the period expires.
Why our awards complete faster
- Correct first time: Valid notices and precise scoping remove the most common reasons for delay.
- Plain English: Clear, proportionate awards are agreed quicker because they minimise ambiguity.
- Digital by default: Where lawful, we sign and serve electronically to compress downtime.
- Tight escalation: If a referral is needed, we keep it laser-focused to avoid weeks of debate.
FAQs
Is an Agreed Surveyor always quicker?
In most domestic matters, yes. One impartial surveyor and a proportionate award typically outpace two-surveyor appointments.
Can my neighbour force me to use their surveyor?
No. Each side may appoint their own surveyor, or both may jointly appoint a single Agreed Surveyor—by mutual consent only.
What if the neighbour ignores the notice?
After 14 days, we issue the 10-day follow-up under Section 10(4). If still no reply, the Act allows the process to continue—no indefinite limbo.
Who pays?
Typically, the party carrying out the works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act. Any apportionment or exceptions are set out in the award.
Do complex foundations or multiple neighbours slow everything down?
They can—but we keep momentum with correct owner identification, coordinated service, and proportionate drafting. Our fixed-fee model still applies.
How soon should I start?
Work backward from your target start date: add the statutory notice period (one or two months) plus time for responses and award drafting. We can begin notices within 24 hours of instruction.
The bottom line
Faster party wall awards are the product of precision, proportion and pace—not corner-cutting. With Simple Survey, you get all three, at the lowest like-for-like cost in England & Wales.
Get a fixed, itemised quote today: email team@simplesurvey.co.uk.
Simple Survey — quick, compliant and consistently the cheapest like-for-like party wall service.