Party Wall
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What are Party Wall Surveyors?
London Party Wall Surveyors can help you avoid or resolve any disputes or disagreements with your neighbours when carrying out renovations, alterations or making structural changes to your home.
The process is governed by the Party Wall etc Act 1996 and applies if you are planning:
Building work on shared walls (party walls)
Building work involving shared ‘party structures’ (walls or floors between flats)
Alterations to garden boundary walls
Underpinning or excavation work within 3-6 metres of party walls
Loft conversations that involve changing party walls
Changing party walls by thickening, raising or inserting a damp-proof course
Building an extension above a party wall
Extensions and alterations can increase a property’s value and aesthetic appeal, but works to and around the party walls may require you to notify adjoining owners to comply with the law. Conflicts, delays and mistakes are far from uncommon during party wall matters, costing thousands of pounds. Samson Consultants Chartered Surveyors provides you with a professional Party Wall Surveyor in London, guiding you and your project through the party wall process.
London Party Wall Surveyors Costs
Most London Party Wall Surveyors will charge a fixed hourly rate for all tasks related to the party wall. This is usually between £150-£270. The price you pay depends on the time it takes to carry out the work relating to the party wall survey. On average, the cost is around £1500.
There are a variety of additional factors that will affect this price. This includes:.
Size of the property
Quality and completeness of architectural designs
The complexity of the project
Number of surveyors needed
The level of risk of damage to the neighbouring property
Any negotiation needed
Where you live
It’s important to know that the person issuing the party wall notice (the building owner) will be liable for fees if the adjoining owner decides to hire their own building surveying team. However, the building owner’s surveyor will be able to decide whether these costs are reasonable, based on a variety of factors such as complexity of works, the distance between the site and the office, the quality of the design team’s drawings, and so on.
If a third building surveyor is appointed, their fees will usually be divided between the building owner and adjoining owner as per the decision of the third surveyor. This is not the same as having an ‘Agreed Surveyor’, which is where there is just one surveyor who acts for both parties.
Benefits of hiring Party Wall Surveyors
Instructing a party wall surveyor will allow you to:
Prevent legal disputes
Avoid delays
Receive expert advice
Gauge the property’s condition prior to the works
Services for common projects that require party wall matters:
Rear and Side Extensions
Loft Conversions
Basement Extensions
New builds and refurbishments
Wall Removals
Internal Alterations
Subsidence and Underpinning
Do I need a Party Wall Surveyor?
When you first decide to carry out work on your property, you should first speak to your neighbour and discuss proposed works in more detail, explaining exactly what will be involved in the process. If they agree and are happy to proceed, you may not need a Party Wall Surveyor.
However, disputes can often arise, even if it appears that an agreement has been reached. For this reason, both building owners should check the condition of the property before construction commences, taking photographic evidence that could be used for future reference, if required.
To simplify the process, it’s highly recommended that you hire a party wall surveyor who can deliver a party wall notice and provide peace of mind. The cost is usually borne by the ‘Building Owner’(the one having the works done).
If a dispute does arise, you will need a party wall surveyor to reach a resolution.
Regardless of your intentions, it’s extremely helpful to have an informal discussion with any other building owners who might be affected before you deliver a Party Wall Notice. This helps keep communication open and helps ensure that all parties will be satisfied with the outcome.
Why do I need to hire London Party Wall Surveyors?
Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must notify adjoining owners of certain proposed works to and in the vicinity of party walls. An RICS chartered surveyor can prepare all the required documents with pinpoint accuracy, removing a bureaucratic nightmare from your to-do list.
Our London Party Wall Surveyors can work for you, the adjoining owner or both parties as to the agreed surveyor. Get in touch for more information on why hiring surveyors for party wall matters is a necessity.
