If you’re planning works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, one of the first budget lines you’ll want to understand is your own surveyor’s fee. Below is a clear, no-nonsense guide to typical costs, what drives them up (or down), and how to keep control without compromising compliance.
Quick headline figures
- National “typical” range (building owner’s surveyor): £600–£1,900 for straightforward domestic projects.
- Complex/multi-owner sites: £1,500–£3,500+ depending on scope and the number of neighbouring ownerships.
- Hourly rates you’ll see advertised: £120–£350+/hr (but many owners prefer fixed-fee quotes).
Remember: the building owner usually pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act—often including the neighbour’s surveyor if the neighbour dissents.
What drives the fee?
- Project complexity
Loft conversions and simple internal alterations tend to sit at the lower end; deep excavations, basements and multi-storey frames land higher. - Number of adjoining ownerships
Houses split into flats (freeholder + long leaseholders) multiply notices, correspondence and drafting effort. - Which sections of the Act apply
Single-section jobs (e.g. only Section 2 works) are usually less work than combined Section 1/2/6 matters. - Route taken
- Agreed Surveyor (one surveyor acting impartially for both owners) is generally faster and cheaper.
- Two-surveyor route introduces another professional’s time (which you typically fund), so overall case cost rises.
- Documentation quality
Clear plans and well-defined scope keep time down; vague or changing designs increase queries and drafting.
Typical cost bands (building owner’s surveyor)
| Scenario | What it usually involves | Typical fee (our experience) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple internal works/loft beams | Single neighbour, Section 2 only | £600–£900 |
| Rear extension (standard depth) | One or two neighbours, Sections 1 &/or 6 | £750–£1,250 |
| Multiple neighbours (flats next door) | Several notices and owners | £1,000–£1,800 |
| Deep excavation / basement / piling | Complex methods, multiple owners | £1,500–£3,500+ |
These figures reflect what many firms charge on fixed or blended fees. Hourly billing at £150–£300/hr for a few hours can land in the same ranges—but with more uncertainty.
How to keep your costs down (without cutting corners)
- Aim for clarity at design stage. A clean scope and tidy drawings mean fewer queries and leaner drafting.
- Engage early. Early strategy on who is notifiable (freeholders, leaseholders) avoids re-serving and re-work.
- Favour fixed fees. Where possible, choose fixed pricing for predictable tasks so you aren’t exposed to open-ended hourly meters.
- Consider the Agreed Surveyor route. If appropriate and acceptable to your neighbour, it’s often the shortest, cheapest path to a compliant award.
- Keep communication constructive. Good neighbour comms reduce friction and the risk of escalations that drive fees.
Our pricing (transparent and fixed)
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted).
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee, depending on complexity and number of notices/owners.
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the building owner): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side. (The adjoining owner’s surveyor often bills hourly; we work to keep those costs reasonable and contained.)
- Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks): we still offer the fixed pricing approach above.
- No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
FAQs
Is the building owner always liable for all surveyor costs?
Under the Act, the building owner typically covers the reasonable costs of administering the procedures, because they benefit from the works. There are exceptions, but that’s the norm.
Is cheaper risky?
Cheap is fine; inaccurate isn’t. The key is competence: correct notices, correct owners, correct timing, and a robust, proportionate award. Fixed fees can be both low-cost and fully compliant.
Can I reduce total case cost if my neighbour dissents?
Potentially. Propose an Agreed Surveyor the neighbour is comfortable with, keep your scope stable, and provide clear information promptly. Those three steps often halve total case friction.
Do I have to pay the neighbour’s surveyor as well?
In most domestic cases, yes—the building owner pays reasonable fees for the adjoining owner’s surveyor if that owner appoints one.
How fast can this be done?
Statutory notice periods still apply, but early prep, complete documents and proactive case handling will compress the overall timeline and reduce the risk of fee-inflating delays.
Want the lowest like-for-like cost—and a smooth, compliant process?
That’s our niche. Simple Survey delivers fixed, transparent pricing with a focus on getting you to a valid award quickly and without drama.
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk for a firm, fixed quote today.