Party Wall Surveyors
A party wall surveyor protects your property and your legal position when building work happens on or near a shared boundary — whether you are planning the work yourself or a neighbour is. At Websters, we act for building owners, adjoining owners, or as a single impartial Agreed Surveyor for both sides, handling the notices, the Schedule of Condition and the Party Wall Award under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Our fees for adjoining owners are normally paid by the neighbour carrying out the works, so protecting your home typically costs you nothing.
“Building work next door — or works of your own — shouldn’t cost you your peace of mind, or your relationship with your neighbour. We’re here to protect your property and keep things fair on both sides, turning a daunting legal process into a calm, straightforward one.”
— Dan Knowles FRICS, Managing Director and RICS Registered Valuer
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A party wall matter usually arrives in one of two ways. Either you’re planning building work and have been told you need to serve notice on a neighbour — or a notice has landed on your doormat from a neighbour who is. Either way, it can feel daunting: unfamiliar legal language, the worry that your home could be damaged, and the very real fear of falling out with someone you live next door to.
At Websters, we believe this should be one of the calmer parts of any building project, not one of the most stressful. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 exists to protect everyone involved — and when it’s handled properly, that is exactly what it does.
We act for adjoining owners and building owners alike, and very often as the single “Agreed Surveyor” for both sides. Whichever side of the wall you’re on, our job is the same: protect your interests, keep the process fair and impartial, and explain every step in plain English so you always know where you stand.
Which side are you on?
You’re the adjoining owner
A party wall notice is not a dispute — it’s your neighbour following the law before they start work. Your priority is making sure your home is properly protected if anything goes wrong.
- We record the condition of your property before works begin, in a detailed Schedule of Condition.
- We review your neighbour’s proposals and agree an Award that safeguards you.
- We inspect your neighbour’s property and produce a full written and photographic schedule of condition, prior to works commencing, to protect against any unjustified claims of damage in the future.
- If damage occurs, the Award sets out clearly how it will be put right.
You’re the building owner
Loft conversion, rear or side extension, removing a chimney breast, a basement, or excavating near a neighbour — you may be legally required to serve notice before you start.
- We advise whether the Act actually applies to your project — sometimes it doesn’t.
- We prepare and serve the correct notices and guide you through every step.
- We agree the Award so your project stays on track and on the right side of the law.
- We liaise directly with your neighbours and their surveyor, keeping the process moving and protecting your project from avoidable delays, disputes or claims once works are underway.
Do you need a party wall surveyor?
A party wall is a wall, structure or boundary shared by two adjoining properties — the wall between two terraced or semi-detached homes, for example, or a shared garden wall. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies when certain building works are planned at or near that shared boundary. If you’re not sure whether your project is covered, we’re always happy to advise — just ask.
How does the party wall process work?
Most matters follow the same clear path. We handle each stage for you and keep both sides informed throughout.
Notice served
The building owner serves formal written notice on the affected neighbour(s).
Neighbour responds
They can consent or dissent. No response within 14 days is treated as a dissent.
Surveyor(s) appointed
Where there’s a dissent, each side appoints a surveyor — or both agree to use one.
Schedule of Condition
We record the condition of the adjoining property before any works start.
Party Wall Award
A legal document setting out the rights, responsibilities and protections for both parties.
Works begin
Only once the Award is agreed — with an optional check afterwards to confirm no damage.
Read our Party Wall Service Guide
Our free guide walks you through the whole process from start to finish — what a party wall is, the notice types, who pays, and answers to the questions we’re asked most.
Prefer to read first? Our complete guide to party walls and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 walks through notices, Awards, timescales and who pays.
Party wall questions, answered
What is a party wall?
A party wall is a wall, structure or boundary shared by two adjoining properties — such as the wall between two terraced or semi-detached homes, or a shared garden wall. Walls of this kind are covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
It is the law that protects both you and your neighbours during certain building works. It sets out your rights and responsibilities when work might affect a shared wall, a boundary, or in some cases the floors and ceilings between flats.
When do I need to serve a party wall notice?
You must serve notice if you plan to build on or up to the boundary line, work on an existing party wall or structure, or excavate within three to six metres of a neighbouring building, depending on depth. If you are unsure, we are happy to advise.
How much notice do I have to give?
For works to a party structure, at least two months before work starts. For a line of junction notice or a notice of adjacent excavation, at least one month. Serving the correct notice early helps avoid disputes and keeps your project on track.
What happens after a notice is served?
Your neighbour, the adjoining owner, can consent to the works, dissent and appoint their own surveyor, or dissent and agree to use a single Agreed Surveyor. If they do nothing within fourteen days, this is treated as a dissent and surveyors are appointed.
What is a Party Wall Award?
A Party Wall Award is a legal document, prepared by the surveyor or surveyors, that sets out what work will be carried out, how and when, and how any issues will be resolved. Both parties must follow the Award.
Do I need a surveyor?
If your neighbour consents in writing, you may not need a surveyor. If they dissent, each owner can appoint their own, or both can agree to use a single impartial surveyor. Surveyors act independently and impartially, even though one party usually pays the fees.
Who pays the surveyor’s fees?
Usually the building owner, the person carrying out the works, pays all reasonable surveyor’s costs, including the adjoining owner’s surveyor where one is appointed. If we act for you as the adjoining owner, our fees are therefore normally met by your neighbour.
What if my neighbour ignores the notice?
If there is no response within fourteen days, the matter is treated as a dispute and a surveyor must be appointed to act for them. Work cannot start until the process is complete and the Award is agreed.
What happens if my neighbour’s property is damaged?
The Award includes a Schedule of Condition — a record of the neighbouring property before work begins. If damage occurs, the surveyors compare the before and after position and determine how it should be put right.
How long does the party wall process take?
Typically two to three weeks for notices, plus further time for any surveyor appointments and preparing the Award. Starting early is the best way to avoid delays to your project.
Can Websters act for either side?
Yes. We regularly act as the building owner’s surveyor, the adjoining owner’s surveyor, or as a single Agreed Surveyor for both parties. Whichever role we take, we act impartially as the Act requires.
Why choose Websters?
RICS regulated
A regulated firm of Chartered Surveyors you can rely on, working to professional standards throughout.
Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors
Our party wall team are proud members, with specialist experience across London and the surrounding counties.
Impartial, whichever side
Building owner, adjoining owner or Agreed Surveyor — we act fairly and independently in every case.
A hand-holding service
No question is too small. We explain everything in plain English and guide you at every step.