Party wall procedures don’t have to be tense, slow, or expensive. With the right prep, the correct notices, and crystal-clear site controls, you can keep neighbours onside and your programme on track. Here’s a practical, step-by-step roadmap from first sketch to sign-off.
1) Decide early if the Act applies (free sense-check)
Before you book a contractor, ask a qualified party wall surveyor to review your drawings and method. You’ll learn:
- Which notices you need (Section 1, 2 and/or 6).
- Who to notify (all legal owners, including freeholders/long-leaseholders).
- Minimum lead-times (typically 1–2 months before work starts, plus service/postage).
Tip: Early validation avoids invalid notices, re-service delays, and injunction risk.
2) Serve valid Party Wall Notices (to all owners)
Smooth projects start with clean paperwork:
- Correct names/addresses (check Land Registry), the right notice type, clear nature & particulars of the works, and drawings for Section 6 excavations (showing depth and location).
- Give neighbours the three response options: consent; dissent with an agreed surveyor; or dissent with two surveyors.
- Track service: by post (proof of postage), by hand, fixed to the property, or by email (only with prior written consent).
3) Shape the appointment model to your project
- Agreed Surveyor (one surveyor for both owners): quickest and cheapest where works are conventional and relations are good.
- Two Surveyors (one each + a selected third): best for higher-risk schemes or when confidence needs bolstering.
Either way, appoint a genuinely qualified, experienced, insured professional. (Anyone can call themselves a “party wall surveyor”—don’t let your project be their training ground.)
4) Win hearts early (neighbour engagement)
A friendly 10-minute chat often saves weeks:
- Share your headline programme, noisy phases, and access needs.
- Reassure that the Act and the Award centre neighbour protection (method, access limits, damage resolution).
- Offer contact details for you and your surveyor for quick questions.
5) Provide a complete technical pack
Your surveyor can only move as fast as your information:
- Final architectural and structural drawings (including foundation/excavation depth).
- Temporary works/method notes where relevant (lofts/chimney removal/basements).
- Access proposals (routes, protection, hours).
- Contractor details and intended start window.
6) Get a robust Party Wall Award agreed (the project rulebook)
A good Award prevents friction later. Expect clauses on:
- Time & manner: working hours, sequencing, noise/vibration controls.
- Tooling: hand tools/non-percussive methods on party elements where appropriate.
- Containment: protect neighbour flues/vents before dusty works.
- Access (Section 8): limits, protection, notice periods, reinstatement.
- Damage protocol: how to report, agree liability, and make good or cash-settle.
- Variation protocol: how material design changes are approved before site change.
7) Brief the contractor (and re-brief at milestones)
Most hiccups happen because site operatives haven’t read the Award:
- Issue the Award to the site manager and foreman.
- Walk through “red-line” clauses: hand-tools only at the party wall, time limits on open trenches, protection to neighbouring fabric, etc.
- Add Award checks to your pre-start and weekly RAMS/toolbox talks.
8) Keep communication short, frequent and written
- Weekly update to neighbours during the intrusive phases (two lines is enough).
- Log any complaints and actions taken (photos help).
- Tell your surveyor before changing methods, depths, or sequencing.
9) Handle damage calmly, procedurally
If something goes wrong:
- Notify the surveyor(s) immediately and photograph/video the issue.
- Confirm causation (is it from notifiable works?).
- Choose make-good by the builder or a cash settlement using reasonable quotes.
- If no agreement, the surveyors will issue a further award—which is enforceable.
10) Close out cleanly
- Confirm any make-good is complete and accepted.
- Keep a copy of the served Award and correspondence for your records (buyers’ solicitors increasingly ask for these on resale).
Typical pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Invalid notices (wrong owner, missing drawings, back-dating): use a surveyor to serve them.
- Silent design drift: never change foundation depth/tooling/temporary works without notifying the surveyor(s).
- Contractor ignores the Award: brief, re-brief, and escalate early—breaches create disputes, delays and fees.
- Leaving trenches/pins open: support or pour promptly (Awards often cap open duration).
Smooth Works Checklist
- Drawings reviewed for notifiability
- Valid notices served on all owners (with proof)
- Appointment model chosen (Agreed vs Two Surveyors)
- Complete pack issued (drawings/method/access)
- Award agreed and served before start
- Contractor briefed on Award; RAMS aligned
- Neighbour updates scheduled
- Variation & damage protocols understood
Simple Survey — clear, fixed pricing (nationwide)
Straightforward fees
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles available)
- Party Wall Award as Agreed Surveyor: from £300 fixed-fee (scope/complexity dependent)
- Party Wall Award acting for the Building Owner (two-surveyor route): from £325 fixed-fee for our side
We work to keep the adjoining owner’s surveyor on reasonable, evidenced fees.
Why Simple Survey
- RICS-qualified building surveyors
- Building pathology + legal know-how (we speak “site” and “statute”)
- Nationwide, fixed-fee model—no surprises
Planning works that touch a party wall?
Email your drawings for a free notifiability check and fixed-fee plan. We’ll serve valid notices, agree a robust Award, and keep your contractor aligned—so your project stays smooth, neighbourly and on programme.