One of the most common questions we are asked here at Simple Survey by adjoining owners is whether appointing an agreed surveyor is the right statutory option in response to a building owner’s party wall notice.
It is an understandable question. Adjoining owners naturally want to ensure that they receive full professional and impartial input in relation to a building owner’s proposed works. At the same time, they may have concerns about whether a surveyor can remain neutral where the building owner is ultimately responsible for the surveyor’s fees.
At Simple Survey, our view is straightforward: the key issue is not whether the surveyor was first approached by the building owner, but whether that surveyor is capable of acting impartially, pragmatically and professionally throughout the process.
What Is an Agreed Surveyor?
An agreed surveyor is a single party wall surveyor appointed by both the building owner and the adjoining owner to act impartially under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
This differs from the alternative arrangement, where each owner appoints their own surveyor and the two surveyors then work together to agree the party wall award.
In either case, the surveyor’s duty is not to advocate for one side over the other, but to administer the Act properly and ensure that both owners receive the protections and rights afforded by it.
How an Adjoining Owner Can Assess Whether an Agreed Surveyor Is Right
In our opinion, adjoining owners should always begin by speaking with the surveyor who served the party wall notice. That surveyor should be willing to discuss the proposed works, explain the process clearly, and address any concerns the adjoining owner may have.
Those concerns may relate to the property itself, the nature of the proposed works, access requirements, risk of damage, working hours, or any other matter that may affect the adjoining owner’s enjoyment or protection of their property.
If the surveyor is able to deal with those concerns in a neutral, measured and practical way, this will often give the adjoining owner the reassurance they need that the surveyor can act properly as an agreed surveyor. In many cases, that early dialogue is enough to provide peace of mind that the matter will be handled fairly and professionally.
The Benefits of an Agreed Surveyor for Building Owners
For building owners, an agreed surveyor appointment can offer significant advantages over a two-surveyor arrangement.
The most obvious benefit is efficiency. Where one surveyor is appointed by both owners, the matter can be dealt with in-house by that individual or within their firm, without the need for ongoing communication and negotiation between two separate surveyors. This often results in a quicker process and allows the party wall award to be agreed in a far more time-efficient manner.
By contrast, where the adjoining owner appoints their own surveyor, there will inevitably be some additional delay as that surveyor reviews the matter, raises queries, requests documents, and corresponds with the building owner’s surveyor before the award can be finalised.
Greater Cost Certainty
An agreed surveyor appointment can also provide important cost benefits.
Rather than the building owner being responsible for two separate sets of fees — one for their own surveyor and one for the adjoining owner’s surveyor — there is usually only a single invoice from the agreed surveyor. This can make the overall cost of the process much more manageable and transparent.
It also gives the building owner greater certainty from the outset. In many agreed surveyor appointments, the surveyor is able to provide a fixed fee in advance. That allows the building owner to understand exactly what they are likely to pay, rather than being exposed to the uncertainty of an adjoining owner’s surveyor charging on an hourly basis for the time they consider reasonable.
For many building owners, that certainty is a major advantage, particularly when trying to keep wider project costs under control.
Why Some Adjoining Owners Still Prefer Their Own Surveyor
That said, agreed surveyor appointments are not right for everyone.
In our experience, agreed surveyor appointments are just as common as two-surveyor appointments. Some adjoining owners simply feel more comfortable appointing their own surveyor, and that is entirely their right under the Act.
Building owners should not view this as a personal slight or an objection to the works themselves. More often than not, it is simply a reflection of the adjoining owner’s comfort level and their wish to have separate professional input before the award is agreed.
The important point is that, whichever route is taken, the process remains governed by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and is designed to achieve the same end result: the agreement of a party wall award that gives the building owner the legal right to proceed with the works, while also protecting both owners.
The Outcome Is the Same Either Way
Whether the matter proceeds by way of an agreed surveyor or by two separately appointed surveyors, the statutory objective remains the same. The aim is to secure a properly considered party wall award that enables the building owner to move forward with their planned works while safeguarding the adjoining owner’s property and legal position.
The Act is a facilitating piece of legislation. It is there to support sensible progress, not to prevent works from taking place. As such, while the route to the award may differ depending on the appointment made, the underlying protections and legal framework remain in place throughout.
Why Clients Choose Simple Survey
At Simple Survey, we are proud to offer some of the most cost-effective fees in the market, with party wall notices starting from £35 plus VAT and party wall awards starting from £300 plus VAT.
Our experience and market research indicate that these fees are at least 65% lower than many other surveyors operating in this field. We are proud to be able to offer such competitive pricing without compromising the standard of service we provide.
All of our party wall surveyors have a minimum of 10 years’ party wall surveying experience, giving clients, adjoining owners, architects, contractors and engineers the reassurance that matters are being handled by experienced professionals who understand both the legal framework and the practical realities of the process.
Get in Touch
If you need party wall surveying advice or support today, get in touch with us at team@simplesurvey.co.uk.
Our surveyors are on hand to assist and advise, whether you are a building owner, adjoining owner, architect, contractor or engineer.