What a party wall surveyor does
- Checks whether the Act applies and which sections: s.1 for a new wall on the boundary, s.2 and s.3 for work to a party wall, s.6 for excavation within 3 or 6 metres.
- Identifies every owner through HM Land Registry, including freeholders and long leaseholders (s.20).
- Prepares and serves valid notices. We post notices first class, so they are deemed served the next day, and keep proof of posting.
- Prepares the Schedule of Condition: a dated, photographic record of the neighbour’s rooms and walls nearest the work. A visit typically takes one to two hours.
- Makes the Party Wall Award if there is a dispute. Under s.10(12) an Award can settle the right to do the work, the time and manner of doing it, and any other matter arising, including costs.
- Inspects and closes out. Surveyors can inspect during the works, carry out a final inspection, and deal with any damage under the Award.
Agreed Surveyor or two surveyors?
When a dispute arises, the owners either concur in appointing one Agreed Surveyor, who acts impartially for both, or each appoints their own surveyor and the two select a third surveyor to settle any point they cannot agree (s.10(1)). Appointments are made in writing (s.10(2)). Every surveyor appointed under the Act acts impartially: it is a statutory role, not an advocate’s role.
| Agreed Surveyor | Two surveyors | |
|---|---|---|
| Who acts | One surveyor for both owners | One for each owner, plus a selected third surveyor |
| Typical time to the Award | A couple of days to 2 to 4 weeks | Up to about 4 weeks, sometimes longer |
| Cost to the building owner | One set of fees | Both surveyors’ reasonable fees |
| Best for | Straightforward extensions and lofts, cooperative neighbours | Neighbours who want their own surveyor |
A neighbour is entitled to choose their own surveyor, and the building owner normally pays that surveyor’s reasonable costs (s.10(13)). See Agreed Surveyor vs two surveyors.
If you have received a notice
We also act for adjoining owners. If you have been served a notice you can consent, consent subject to a Schedule of Condition, agree to an Agreed Surveyor, or appoint us as your own surveyor. When we act for you as a neighbour, our reasonable fees are normally paid by the building owner. See I’ve received a party wall notice and your options as an adjoining owner.
Our surveyors
- John Greenan AssocRICS, MFPWS, ACABE: Party Wall & Residential Property Surveyor, 25+ years in surveying and construction.
- Carl Brady MFPWS, MPTS: Party Wall Surveyor, 25+ years in party wall matters, covering the Midlands, Hertfordshire and London.
- Kevin Redman BSc(Hons), MFPWS: Surveyor, 25+ years in surveying and construction management, covering Essex and East London.
- James Metcalf AssocRICS, MFPWS: Party Wall & Residential Property Surveyor, 20+ years in surveying and property, covering Kent.
How to appoint us
- Tell us about the work. Call free on 08000 487897 or send an enquiry with your address and a short description or drawings.
- We confirm the sections and owners and give you a fixed quote.
- We serve the notices on all your neighbours.
- Your neighbour responds. We arrange a Schedule of Condition, act as Agreed Surveyor, or work with the neighbour’s own surveyor to an Award.
- We invoice on completion. No payment up front and no online payment.
Fixed fees
| Service | Fee + VAT | inc VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Party wall notices (all your neighbours) | £150 | £180 |
| Notices + one Schedule of Condition | £499 | £598.80 |
| Each extra Schedule of Condition | £399 | £478.80 |
| Standalone Schedule of Condition | £450 | £540 |
| Party Wall Award | £400 | £480 |
| Full package (notices, Schedule, Award) | £899 | £1,078.80 |
| Full package, London | £999 | £1,198.80 |
| Agreed Surveyor supplement | £0 |
Domestic extensions and loft conversions. Fixed fees, invoiced on completion; we take enquiries only, with no online payment. If your neighbour appoints their own surveyor, the building owner normally pays that surveyor’s reasonable fees as well (s.10(13)), and those are set by that surveyor, not by us.
The Agreed Surveyor supplement is £50 + VAT, currently waived. The full package covers notices, one Schedule of Condition and one Party Wall Award: £899 + VAT, or £999 + VAT in London.
Where we work
We cover London, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Birmingham, the West Midlands and the East Midlands. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies in England and Wales.
More short answers: party wall agreement questions answered.
This guide is general information on the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which applies in England and Wales. It is written from our surveyors’ practical experience and is not legal advice; for a specific dispute, take advice on your own facts.
- Party wall agreement questions answered
- Party wall notices for building owners
- Fixed fees: party wall agreement cost
- Do I need a party wall agreement? (1-minute check)
Areas we cover include Party Wall Agreement London · Party Wall Agreement Essex · Party Wall Agreement Kent and more.
Sources: Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (legislation.gov.uk) · The Party Wall etc. Act 1996: explanatory booklet (GOV.UK). Last reviewed 29 October 2026. General guidance on the law in England and Wales, not legal advice.