A Party Wall Award should be swift, clear and proportionate. At Simple Survey, we’ve streamlined the process into three disciplined steps that keep risk low, paperwork correct, and costs firmly under control. The result: compliant awards, minimal friction, and the cheapest like-for-like totals we’ve seen anywhere in England & Wales.
Step 1 — Scope & Notify (Get it right, first time)
Objective: Define exactly which parts of your project trigger the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and serve the correct notices to the correct owners, on time.
What we do
- Map ownership properly (freeholders, relevant long leaseholders, blocks of flats).
- Select the right notice(s): Section 1, Section 2, Section 6.
- Draft precise, plain-English descriptions of the notifiable works.
- Serve notices correctly (including electronic service where permitted) and diarise statutory timelines.
Why it matters
Most delays and spiralling fees start with faulty notices—wrong parties, wrong sections, or vague wording. Tight scoping and proper service prevent re-issuing, disputes over validity, and programme drift.
Step 2 — Manage Responses & Appointments (Keep momentum)
Objective: Convert responses into a clear route to an award with the least cost and delay.
What we do
- Collate consents and manage dissents professionally.
- Present the Agreed Surveyor option where appropriate (one impartial surveyor for both sides).
- If separate surveyors are appointed, we keep the process collaborative and focused, selecting a third surveyor “forthwith” as the Act requires (contingency only).
Why it matters
Early clarity on appointments and communication reduces flashpoints, limits needless correspondence, and avoids expensive escalations. Our approach keeps counterpart time (and therefore your total cost) down.
Step 3 — Draft, Agree & Serve the Award (Proportionate and enforceable)
Objective: Produce a robust, proportionate Party Wall Award that authorises the works and sets out practical conditions so the build can progress legally and safely.
What we do
- Draft awards that are complete but lean—no kitchen-sink provisions that create cost without value.
- Resolve points efficiently with the other surveyor (where appointed).
- Serve the award correctly and in step with statutory timelines, so everyone knows when the works may start.
Why it matters
Clear drafting prevents confusion on site, reduces the chance of further disputes, and protects your programme. Proportionate wording = proportionate cost.
Transparent, fixed pricing (cheapest like-for-like)
| 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 (single surveyor) | From dissent to award, one impartial surveyor | Typically £300 fixed (depends on complexity & number of owners) |
| Two-surveyor route (we act for the owner doing the works) | Fixed-fee proposal covering our side end-to-end | From £325 |
| Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks) | Same fixed-fee model; proportionate documents | Fixed as above |
| Billing policy | Itemised scope, firm totals | No surprises, no creeping extras |
Why our totals are lower: digital-first workflows, correct notices at the outset, lean drafting, and pragmatic liaison that limits the other side’s billable time as well as yours.
FAQs
Do I really need an award?
If an adjoining owner dissents (or doesn’t respond), the Act requires the dispute to be determined by surveyor(s) in an award before the notifiable works proceed.
Can my neighbour insist I use their surveyor?
No. Each owner is free to appoint their own surveyor, or you can both agree to a single Agreed Surveyor. It must be voluntary on both sides.
How long will it take?
Statutory notice periods apply (commonly 1 or 2 months, depending on the section). With our streamlined process, the drafting and agreement phase is kept tight by clear information and prompt responses.
Who pays the fees?
Generally, the person carrying out the works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act. Any apportionment or exceptions are set out in the award.
What if the other surveyor charges hourly?
That’s common. Our lean drafting and focused correspondence help keep their time (and therefore your total cost) down. We also challenge unreasonable charges where appropriate.
Can we use the Agreed Surveyor route?
Often yes—and it’s usually the quickest and cheapest path to an award. If both sides are comfortable, we’ll proceed on that basis.
Budget snapshots (typical domestic scenarios)
- Loft steelwork into a shared wall (one neighbour):
Likely Agreed Surveyor. Market: £700–£1,200. Simple Survey: ~£325 (Notice £25 + Agreed Surveyor c. £300). - Rear extension with adjacent excavation (one neighbour):
Often two surveyors. Market: £1,500–£2,500 combined. Simple Survey: our side from £325, with proportionate handling to keep the combined below market medians. - Complex foundations / multiple neighbours (e.g., flats):
Market: £2,500–£5,000+. Simple Survey: low unit-cost notices + fixed-fee administration. We keep drafting lean and escalation minimal to anchor the total.
The Simple Survey difference
- Three disciplined steps: Scope & Notify → Manage Responses & Appointments → Draft, Agree & Serve.
- Proportionate paperwork: Authorise the works cleanly, control risk, and cut cost.
- Cheapest like-for-like: If you receive a genuine comparable written quote that beats ours, we’ll beat it.
Get a fixed, written quote today
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk for an itemised price and start date.
Simple Survey — quick, compliant, and consistently the lowest total cost for Party Wall Awards in England & Wales.