Party Wall Surveyor in London – AAAPWS

Members of the Party Wall Academy demonstrate a sound knowledge of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and competency in its application. 

Everything You Need To Know About Party Wall Surveyors London

The Party wall Act defines the term “surveyor” as “any person not being a party to the matter appointed or selected under Section 10 to determine disputes following the procedures set out in this Act.” A surveyor plays an essential part in securing the rights of both building owners and owners of adjoining properties alike.

It is always better to have an agreement before starting any sort of construction. The building surveyors must know the requirements of construction and should include all the necessary things in the agreement such as work timing per day, length of construction, safety measures taken, a detail of changes, and reconstruction. Sending a prior notice is ethical and lawful and protects you from future disputes.

A truly professional party wall surveyor will resolve all disputes fairly and efficiently and make sure that construction work is done quickly and safely.

A Party Wall Surveyor’s Qualifications

In the field of property, there’s a huge array of certificates available. It could be RICS, CIOB, CABE, CIARB, FPWS, or numerous others. We suggest that you make sure that the surveyor you choose to represent your needs has the appropriate qualifications acquired through normal professional or academic pathways.

It is also recommended to look into the routes to entry when choosing the party wall specialist you want to hire and conduct background checks of their credentials. Certain qualifications are more difficult to attain than others.

Identify Damage Caused By Work

The second important part is a comprehensive schedule of the condition of the property of the adjacent owners. Although it is not a mandatory obligation in the Act itself, the document has been made an obligatory appendix (subject to access). The document must reflect the condition of buildings adjacent to it. This will prevent costly disputes should any damages be caused. Damage disputes are the last thing that building owners and adjoining owners’ properties would like to see. The most common solution to settle disputes without the use of a Schedule of conditions is by recourse to the courts. This could result in substantial expenses for both parties as well as the nature of the events that the Act was designed to prevent.

In this regard, it is recommended to use long-standing trustworthy, skilled professionals of the industry-approved regulated bodies to act for surveyors as per the Act. They’ll have the expertise necessary to ensure that the work will be completed safely with no chance of damage to adjoining owner property.

Selecting the Right Party Wall Surveyor London

Sometimes, untrained surveyors can get jobs by presenting a small upfront or all-inclusive fee for a Party Wall Award when compared to the cost of a seasoned and properly regulated procedure. However, this may not be good for you.

The chartered surveyors, engineers, and architects who act as surveyors of the party wall typically charge a higher rate. This is a reflection of the amount of education, expertise, and knowledge that the professionals are likely to have acquired in understanding the complexities of building technology, construction pathology, and a thorough understanding of how to use the Act itself. The cost, however, will be transparent and clear about the quality of efficient service given.

The choice of a surveyor has to be done with diligence. It is best to choose an experienced, reliable professional who has verified status with any of the industry-approved regulatory bodies.

FAQs Related To Surveyors In London

Do I have To Pay For A Party Wall Surveyor?

In general, the building owner pays the fees (known as costs) since he is the one undertaking the work and initiating the party wall process.

Who can act as a Party Wall Surveyor?

Section 20 in the Party Wall etc Act defines a “surveyor” as a person who is not a party to the dispute and is appointed to decide disagreements arising in the Act. It is a fact that no formal training or experience is needed to be a surveyor’ of the party wall. Construction works that fall under the purview of the Act usually involve complex excavations and construction, therefore it follows that a surveyor’ must be a skilled and licensed certified building professional.

What Is The Role Of A Building Surveyor?

Is It Worth Getting A Building Survey?

How Long Does A Party Wall Agreement Last?

In general, it lasts for one year after the award date.

What Is The Party Wall Surveying Process?

How Much Does A Party Wall Survey Cost In The UK?

An estimated cost depends on the type of project carried out and the quality of the design information. 

Generally, a fixed hourly rate for all matters related to party wall ranges from£120 to £250.

How Much Does A Party Wall Agreement Cost In The UK?

The “Agreed Surveyor” prepares an award, which contains details about the proposed works and a schedule of the neighbors’ home’s condition, including photos. The fee for a surveyor in London varies between £120 to £250per hour depending on the assignment and party wall award and the surveyor costs about £1100.00.

Can I Do An Agreement Myself In The Party Wall Surveying Process?

No, You will have to appoint a surveyor for this purpose who will then survey the property and prepare party wall notice accordingly. A surveyor must be ‘agreed’ between the parties. For party wall advice or matter, we have professional experts to help you out with all the party wall issues.

Can You Start Building Work Without A Party Wall Agreement?

When it comes to building work next to or on a party wall, you will need an agreement. You must inform your neighbour, give them a Party Wall Notice, and draft a written agreement.

What is Party Wall Notice Period?

Party wall notices must be sent to your neighbours to notify them of your plans which is between two months and a year of the work beginning.

Why You Should Choose AAAPWS?

We are a member of The Party Wall Academy. Our fully qualified surveyors focus on carefully inspecting the building, understanding all the requirements, and then proposing the best solution in the given scenario where our client also gets benefits from our expertise and the party wall matter is professionally resolved. Our specialists can handle a variety of building projects quickly, and we are often able to get things done on time.

Final Words

We will guide you through the best procedure, its legal and constructional requirements, and the time frame. We provide services in London covering north London, central London, South and South East London. If you are willing to undertake the process; get in touch today with our party wall surveyor in London and get free professional advice for inspecting in the light of the Party Wall Act 1996.

Related

• Retrospective Party Wall Agreement 2022
• Party Wall notice response
• Rights of Access onto Neighbour’s Land
• What Happens If you Fail To Serve A Party Wall Notice
• Party wall surveyor fees