On higher-risk party wall projects—basements, deep adjacent excavations, underpinning, or heavy structural alterations—surveyors will often bring in an advising (checking) engineer. Done properly, this keeps risk low, makes awards tighter, and prevents cost shocks later.
Below is a clear guide to what advising engineers do, when they’re needed, what they produce, and how surveyors weave their input into a robust Party Wall Award.
What is an advising engineer?
An advising engineer (sometimes called a checking engineer) is an independent, chartered structural engineer appointed by the party wall surveyor(s) to review the building owner’s design, method, and temporary works proposals through the lens of neighbour risk. They don’t redesign the job; they assess adequacy, highlight concerns, and suggest reasonable risk-reducing tweaks.
Key points
- They are advisers to the surveyor(s)—not the designer’s replacement.
- Their brief is about risk, buildability near the boundary, and neighbour protection.
- They help surveyors determine proportionate protections, access conditions, sequence and timing within the Award.
When are advising engineers typically used?
Expect them where the foreseeable risk increases, including:
- Basement construction / underpinning along party walls
- Deep or staged excavations (lightwells, piled foundations close to a neighbour)
- Complex temporary works (needling, façade retention, propping, back-propping)
- Major alterations to party structures (e.g., multiple steel insertions, significant load paths)
- Sites with problematic ground (soft strata, high water table) or tight programmes
- Security for Expenses assessments (quantum justified by engineering risk)
For straightforward Section 2 items (e.g., modest beam pockets, careful chimney breast removal with hand tools), surveyors may consider an engineer unnecessary—but the decision is case-specific.
What do they review—and why?
- Design basis & calculations
- Foundations, retaining elements, underpinning design & sequence, slab action, piling layout.
- Adjacent structure interaction (movement predictions, settlement, heave, differential effects).
- Temporary works & sequence
- Pin-by-pin or bay-by-bay sequencing, prop forces, stability checks during transitions.
- Open trench durations and support (e.g., “fill within X hours” or shore immediately).
- Method statements
- Construction access, plant loads, non-percussive/hand tool clauses for party structures.
- Weathering & water management during openings/rooftop works.
- Monitoring & trigger levels (where justified)
- Type, location and frequency; action/alert limits; responsibilities and responses.
- Special foundations flags
- Where reinforcement makes a foundation “special”, they help surveyors confirm if redesign or consent strategy is needed (e.g., alternatives that aren’t “special foundations”).
- Security for Expenses input
- Engineering rationale that underpins quantum and release milestones.
How their advice feeds the Award
Surveyors translate engineering advice into clear, enforceable Award clauses, typically covering:
- Right to execute the works (Section 10(12)(a)) with conditions tied to the reviewed method.
- Time & manner (Section 10(12)(b)):
- Hand tools/non-percussive tools on party structures,
- Maximum open-trench durations and shoring rules,
- Temporary weathering, dust controls, plant limits, access windows and routes.
- Monitoring regimes and response actions.
- Security for Expenses (if awarded): sum, stakeholder, triggers, staged release.
- Costs (Section 10(12)(c)): who pays advising engineer fees (see below).
Who pays for advising engineer input?
Almost always the building owner, as part of the reasonable costs of making the award and undertaking reasonable inspections/reviews arising out of the dispute (Section 10(13)). The figure must be reasonable and proportionate to the risk and scope. Good surveyors keep this lean: a focused, questions-first review beats an open-ended trawl.
Keeping it proportionate (and fast)
- Targeted brief: Surveyors should pose specific questions (e.g., “Is the stage-by-stage temporary stability demonstrably adequate for bay X with proposed props Y/Z?”).
- Version control: Reviews should be against a final working pack, not evolving sketches.
- One round if possible: Encourage a consolidated response from the design team to minimise re-reviews.
- Award the essentials: Only include controls that manage neighbour risk—avoid gold-plating.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Scope creep: Keep the checking scope tied to party wall risk, not a wholesale redesign.
- Late engagement: Bring the advising engineer in before the award is drafted to avoid delays.
- Missing temporary works: Ensure the designer provides temporary works—not just permanent calcs.
- Ambiguous clauses: Convert technical advice into plain, timed, enforceable award wording.
Key takeaways
- Advising engineers make higher-risk party wall projects safer and smoother.
- Their role is review and risk reduction, not redesign.
- Their advice gives surveyors the confidence to set clear, proportionate award conditions.
- Building owners usually cover the reasonable cost—kept tight with a focused brief.
Need a calm, proportionate engineering check?
Whether you’re the building owner or the adjoining owner, Simple Survey (RICS) will:
- Frame a tight brief for the advising engineer,
- Integrate the advice into clear, enforceable Award clauses, and
- Keep the whole exercise focused, fast and fair.
Email: team@simplesurvey.co.uk
Fixed fees. Nationwide coverage. RICS-qualified. Extensive experience with basements, underpinning, deep excavations and complex temporary works.
Simple Survey — Fixed Nationwide Cost Chart (Guide)
| Service | What’s Included | Fixed Fee (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Party Wall Notice (per Adjoining Owner) | Validity check, compliant drafting, service & tracking | £25 |
| Agreed Surveyor Award | One impartial surveyor acting for both owners | £300 |
| Building Owner’s Surveyor Award | Acting for BO in a two-surveyor appointment | £300 |
| Advising Engineer Integration | Focused engineer brief, coordination, award integration | POA |
| Access & Protections Addendum | Access windows/routes, fencing/ground/wall protections | £95 |
Our fees are always fixed. We’re nationwide. We’re experienced and RICS-qualified.
FAQ
Q1: Can the surveyors force the use of an advising engineer?
A: They can determine that an advising engineer is reasonably required to resolve the dispute and frame protections. On higher-risk projects, this is common and usually proportionate.
Q2: Will the advising engineer redesign my scheme?
A: No. Their role is checking and making risk-based recommendations. Any redesign remains with your project engineer.
Q3: Do we always need monitoring if an advising engineer is involved?
A: Not always. Monitoring is recommended where movement risk is credible. The advising engineer will justify whether it’s necessary and what kind.
Q4: Who chooses the advising engineer?
A: Typically the party wall surveyor(s) select a suitable, independent chartered engineer with relevant expertise. Independence is key.
Q5: Can their fees spiral?
A: They shouldn’t. With a tight brief and final drawings, time is contained. Surveyors must ensure costs remain reasonable.
Q6: What happens if the advising engineer and project engineer disagree?
A: The surveyor(s) weigh both views. If needed, a narrow tweak or additional control is added to the Award—or exceptionally, a third surveyor can determine a discrete point.
Ready to de-risk your award with targeted engineering input?
Email: team@simplesurvey.co.uk — we’ll keep it proportionate, precise, and practical.