If you're thinking about doing some work on a shared wall with your neighbour, it's a good idea to get us involved early on as party wall surveyors. We're here to help sort things out fairly for both sides
Party wall surveys
Party walls separate buildings belonging to different owners, but can also include garden walls built astride boundaries (known as party fence walls).
Since the Part Wall etc Act 1996 came into force, there is a set procedure that homeowners in England and Wales follow when building work involves a party wall or party fence wall, excavations close to a neighbouring building or new walls on boundary lines.
Since the Part Wall etc Act 1996 came into force, there is a set procedure that homeowners in England and Wales follow when building work involves a party wall or party fence wall, excavations close to a neighbouring building or new walls on boundary lines.
If you are planning works involving a party wall, and you think your neighbour is unlikely to consent to the planned works it is worth involving us as party wall surveyors at an early stage.
Although template notices are widely available, it is worth remembering that if they do not contain all of the necessary information, or are not properly served, they will be invalid – which is where we come in: with extensive experience as Party Wall surveyors working on hundreds of projects to date in London, Brighton and the South East as a whole, we can help ensure that the process runs as smoothly as possible.
The most time consuming task that the party wall surveyor performs, prior to the work commencing, is the preparation of a schedule of condition of the adjoining owner’s property. It is essential that this is done accurately so that any subsequent damage can be properly attributed. Again, our experience and reputation for impartiality in this matter is paramount.
If there are two surveyors this schedule of condition is prepared by the building owner’s surveyor and proofed by the adjoining owner’s surveyor. We have experience of acting in both capacities.
Our senior party wall surveyor also has extensive experience as a lecturer in Party Wall matters on some of the top RICS University courses in the country – frequently we have found that, where an adjoining surveyor has been appointed, our Senior Surveyor originally taught them.