A Party Wall Award is the practical backbone of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. It takes a proposed set of works that could affect neighbours—from cutting into a party wall to excavating near foundations—and turns them into a clearly governed, legally compliant plan. Its purpose isn’t to slow projects down; it’s to regularise how they proceed so that both the Building Owner and the Adjoining Owner are protected, informed, and treated fairly.
At its simplest, the Award is a legally binding document prepared by a Party Wall Surveyor (or two surveyors, if each owner appoints their own). It sets out what will be done, how it will be done, and under what safeguards. That clarity reduces risk, prevents avoidable disputes, and gives everyone a single source of truth to follow on site.
How the Award protects the Building Owner
For the Building Owner, the Award provides lawful permission under the Act to carry out the notifiable works described in the document. That permission matters. It separates compliant construction from works that could otherwise be stopped with an injunction. With an Award in place, the builder can plan confidently around defined working hours for noisy operations, approved construction methods, and any agreed protective measures at the boundary. The Award can also regulate access arrangements onto neighbouring land where necessary to execute the works in pursuance of the Act, so the contractor isn’t stalled by last-minute access disagreements.
Just as importantly, the Award narrows the scope of argument later. Because time, manner, and method are already set out, challenges that would normally derail a programme are either pre-answered or channeled back through the surveyors to be determined swiftly. In other words, it keeps momentum on site while ensuring compliance.
How the Award protects the Adjoining Owner
For the Adjoining Owner, the Award is a safety net and a seat at the table. It means the works won’t proceed on assumptions or vague promises; they will proceed to a documented standard under the oversight of a statutory surveyor role that must act impartially. The Award obliges the Building Owner to carry out the works in a way that avoids unnecessary inconvenience. It also sets out what must happen if there is loss or damage caused by the notifiable works, and the route to resolution if disagreements crop up during construction.
Because the Award regulates method and sequencing—think controlled cutting into a party wall, or staged excavation near foundations—it reduces the risk of sudden surprises and provides a mechanism to halt or vary the approach if that risk profile changes. It therefore brings accountability to the process in a way that a neighbourly chat simply can’t.
Why surveyor input is central
Surveyors aren’t acting as one party’s “hired gun” when they make an Award. Once appointed under the Act, they perform a statutory function to balance both owners’ rights: enabling lawful development while minimising unnecessary inconvenience. Their technical input translates drawings and intentions into construction methods and site rules that are proportionate to the risk. If two surveyors are appointed, they must also select a third surveyor from the outset to determine any points on which they can’t agree, keeping the process moving without the need for the owners to litigate.
That professional, impartial input is the Award’s real value. It turns grey areas into black and white, so contractors, owners, and neighbours know exactly where they stand.
Regularising the work—before, during, and after
An Award isn’t just a green light; it is the operating manual for the notifiable elements of the project. Before work starts, it confirms what is authorised and on what timetable. During the build, it governs noisy hours, temporary protections, access, and method statements, and it gives the surveyors the remit to respond if circumstances change and a variation is needed. After the notifiable works are completed, it still has teeth: it remains the reference point for responsibility, compensation where appropriate, and compliance with the Act.
Crucially, the Award helps both sides avoid escalation. If a concern arises, it goes back to the surveyors and the terms of the Award, rather than spiralling into an open-ended dispute. That is faster, cheaper, and far less stressful for everyone.
What if there’s no Award?
Proceeding without an Award when one is required exposes the Building Owner to injunctions, delays, and potentially higher costs if the works have to be undone or re-done. For the Adjoining Owner, it means relying on general civil claims rather than the tailored protections and procedures of the Act. Both scenarios tend to be slower, pricier, and more adversarial. The Award exists precisely to avoid that.
Need an Award that protects everyone and keeps your project moving?
Simple Survey specialises in fast, cost-effective Party Wall Awards across England and Wales. We act impartially under the Act, keep programmes on track, and make sure both owners’ rights are respected. Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk and we’ll outline the exact steps and a transparent fixed fee for your situation.