Question 1

What is the Party Wall Act?

Accepted Answer

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a piece of legislation that applies in England and Wales. It provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party walls, party structures, boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring buildings.

Question 2

Do I need a party wall surveyor?

Accepted Answer

You need to serve party wall notices if you're planning to carry out notifiable works. If your neighbour consents in writing, no surveyor is needed. If they dissent or don't respond, a surveyor (or surveyors) must be appointed.

Question 3

What works require a party wall notice?

Accepted Answer

Works that typically require a notice include: building on or at the boundary, cutting into a party wall, underpinning or raising a party wall, excavating within 3–6 metres of a neighbouring foundation, and new walls at the boundary.

Question 4

How much notice do I need to give?

Accepted Answer

Section 1 (new wall on boundary): 1 month. Section 2 (works to party wall): 2 months. Section 6 (excavation): 1 month. These are minimum statutory periods — the earlier you start, the better.

Question 5

What happens if my neighbour doesn't respond?

Accepted Answer

If your neighbour doesn't respond within 14 days of receiving the notice, a dispute is deemed to have arisen. Surveyors must then be appointed and a Party Wall Award produced.

Question 6

What is an 'Agreed Surveyor'?

Accepted Answer

An Agreed Surveyor is a single surveyor appointed by both the building owner and the adjoining owner to act impartially for both parties. This is the most efficient and cost-effective outcome.

Question 7

How does a remote party wall service work?

Accepted Answer

We handle all documentation, correspondence, and legal formalities digitally. A trained inspector attends your neighbour's property to carry out the Schedule of Condition survey. The qualified MRICS surveyor reviews all submissions, prepares the Award, and signs off everything.

Question 8

Is a remote party wall service legally valid?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Party Wall Act does not require a surveyor to personally attend the site for every stage of the process. What matters is that the Award is prepared and signed by a qualified individual. Our process is fully RICS-compliant.

Question 9

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

For a standard Agreed Surveyor case, typically 6–8 weeks from instruction to Award. Two-surveyor cases typically take 8–12 weeks. Retrospective cases vary depending on complexity.

Question 10

Who pays for the party wall surveyor?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, the building owner pays the surveyor's fee. If both parties appoint their own surveyor, both fees are typically paid by the building owner. The Agreed Surveyor option avoids the cost of two separate surveyors.

Question 11

Are there any hidden costs?

Accepted Answer

No. Our pricing is fully fixed and agreed upfront. The only additions are the London supplement (£50 + VAT) and the retrospective add-on (£295 + VAT) if applicable.

Question 12

What if my neighbour wants their own surveyor?

Accepted Answer

That's their right under the Act. In that case, we act as your Building Owner's Surveyor at £495 + VAT, and the two surveyors negotiate the Award between them.

Question 13

My builder started without serving notices — what now?

Accepted Answer

This is more common than you'd think. You'll need to stop works immediately, serve retrospective notices, and appoint surveyors to regularise the situation. Our retrospective service handles this. Add £295 + VAT to the standard fee.

Question 14

Can I be prosecuted for not serving a notice?

Accepted Answer

There is no criminal offence for failing to serve a party wall notice, but your neighbour can seek an injunction to stop the works, and you may be liable for any damage caused. Acting quickly to regularise the situation is strongly advised.

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