Party wall surveying sits at the heart of many home extensions, loft conversions and structural refurbishments in England & Wales. Done properly, it protects everyone’s rights, prevents avoidable friction, and keeps projects moving. Skip it—or get it wrong—and you invite delay, cost and potential legal headaches.
What is a “party wall”?
A party wall is any wall or structure that sits on, or very close to, the boundary and serves two properties. It can be:
- The wall between two terraced or semi-detached homes
- A garden wall built astride the boundary (a “party fence wall”)
- Parts of a building that separate flats, such as floors and ceilings (party structures)
Because these elements serve more than one property, the law sets out a clear procedure for works that could affect them.
When does the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 apply?
If proposed works might affect a shared wall/structure or involve excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, the Act is likely engaged. Typical triggers include:
- Cutting into a party wall (e.g., steel beams for a loft conversion)
- Removing projections attached to a party wall (e.g., a chimney breast)
- Raising, rebuilding, or underpinning a party wall
- Building a new wall at or astride the boundary
- Excavating within 3 metres (and deeper than your neighbour’s foundations)
— or within 6 metres for certain deeper works
When the Act applies, the building owner must serve the correct Party Wall Notice(s), allow the statutory response period, and follow the Act’s dispute-resolution route where required.
What is a Party Wall Surveyor?
A party wall surveyor is an impartial professional appointed under Section 10 of the Act to administer the process and resolve disputes. They are not there to “take sides”; their duty is to the Act.
Key responsibilities include:
- Checking the notices are valid (right section, content, drawings where required, timings)
- Advising on responses: consent; dissent with an Agreed Surveyor; or dissent with two surveyors
- Preparing a Party Wall Award (also called a Party Wall Agreement) that:
- identifies the authorised works
- sets out how and when they may proceed
- clarifies access arrangements, protections and procedures under the Act
- deals with cost allocation and any security for expenses if appropriate
- Staying involved for Act matters that arise during the works, including further awards if needed
Award or Agreement? Same thing. The formal document surveyors produce under Section 10 is commonly called a Party Wall Award (many people still say “agreement”, but “Award” is the correct legal term).
Why use a surveyor at all?
You can only rely on the Act’s protections if the statutory process is followed correctly. Surveyors keep you on the rails:
- Notices are valid and served on all relevant owners (freeholders and, where applicable, long leaseholders)
- Timings are observed, avoiding costly resets or injunction risk
- Awards are proportionate and enforceable, reducing scope for escalation
- Disputes are resolved under the Act—faster and cheaper than court
One surveyor or two?
If the neighbour dissents, there are two lawful routes:
- Agreed Surveyor: both owners jointly appoint one independent surveyor
- Two surveyors: each owner appoints their own; those two select a third surveyor in reserve
Both routes are valid. The Agreed Surveyor route is often quicker and cheaper; the two-surveyor route can be useful where confidence or complexity suggests separate appointments.
What happens if you don’t follow the Act?
- Delay: invalid notices or skipped steps can halt works
- Cost: urgent legal action (e.g., injunctions) is expensive
- Relationship damage: avoidable friction with a neighbour can linger long after the build
- No Act protections: you lose the structured dispute-resolution path the Act provides
Simple Survey: clear, compliant, and cost-effective
We specialise in making the Party Wall process simple, fast and affordable—while keeping everything strictly within the Act.
Transparent, fixed pricing (no creeping extras):
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (bundle discounts)
- Agreed Surveyor administration: typically £300 fixed-fee (complexity/owner count dependent)
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the building side): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side
- Complex works (deep digs, multi-owner blocks): still fixed-fee in line with the above
You’ll know the number before we start.
Quick FAQs
Is party wall surveying always required?
Not for every project. It’s required when your works trigger Sections 1, 2 or 6 of the Act (boundary walls, party structure works, or adjacent excavation).
Is “Party Wall Surveyor” a protected title?
No. Pick someone impartial, experienced with the Act, and covered by professional indemnity insurance.
Who pays the fees?
Generally, the owner carrying out the works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act.
Do planning permission or Building Control sign-offs replace the Act?
No. These are separate regimes. You still need to comply with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 if it’s engaged.
What if my neighbour ignores the notice?
After the statutory period, a deemed dispute arises and the Act sets out how to proceed (including the ability to appoint a surveyor on their behalf).
The bottom line
Party wall surveying isn’t red tape—it’s a proven framework that protects both sides and keeps projects moving. Use it well, and you’ll save time, reduce risk and maintain neighbourly goodwill.
Need straight-forward Party Wall help at the lowest total cost?
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk for a fast, fixed-fee proposal.