Party Wall Surveyors London
Samson Consultants provides professional Party Wall Surveyors in London, guiding you and your project through the party wall process with confidence.
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 work on or near a shared wall, structure or boundary.
What is the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies if you are planning any of the following:
- 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 conversions 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 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.
London Party Wall Surveyor Costs
Most London Party Wall Surveyors will charge a fixed hourly rate for all tasks related to the party wall — usually between £150–£270 per hour. The price you pay depends on the time it takes to carry out the work. On average, the total cost is around £1,500.
There are a variety of additional factors that will affect this price:
- Size of the property
- Quality and completeness of architectural designs
- Complexity of the project
- Number of surveyors needed
- Level of risk of damage to the neighbouring property
- Any negotiation needed
- Where you live
Important: The person issuing the party wall notice (the building owner) will be liable for fees if the adjoining owner decides to hire their own surveying team. However, the building owner's surveyor will be able to decide whether these costs are reasonable based on complexity of works, distance, quality of drawings, and other factors. If a third surveyor is appointed, their fees are usually divided between both parties.
Benefits of Hiring a Party Wall Surveyor
- Prevent legal disputes
- Avoid costly delays
- Receive expert advice
- Gauge the property's condition prior to works
Common Projects We Cover
- 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 speak to your neighbour and discuss the proposed works in detail. If they agree and are happy to proceed, you may not need a Party Wall Surveyor.
However, disputes can often arise even if an agreement appears to have been reached. For this reason, both building owners should check the condition of the property before construction commences, taking photographic evidence 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.
Why 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.
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 ensures that all parties will be satisfied with the outcome.
Our London Party Wall Surveyors can work for you as the building owner, for the adjoining owner, or for both parties as an agreed surveyor. Get in touch for more information.
Speak to a Party Wall Surveyor
Whether you're a building owner or an adjoining owner, our RICS Chartered Surveyors are here to guide you through the party wall process from start to finish.