A party wall surveyor is a professional appointed to resolve disputes under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 between neighbours when construction work affects a shared wall or boundary or relates to adjacent excavations.

You need a party wall surveyor when you plan work near or on a shared wall, boundary, or excavation close to a neighbouring property, as defined by the Party Wall Act. You will also need a party wall surveyor if your neighbour serves you with a notice that they plan to undertake such works.

A party wall surveyor serves as an impartial expert who prepares a party wall award (agreement), protects both owners’ interests, and ensures compliance with the Party Wall Act. Their central aim is to minimise the risk of damage to the neighbouring property and minimise the inconvenience that the neighbour may suffer during construction works.

Typically, the building owner (the one doing the work) pays the party wall surveyor’s fees, including any fees for the adjoining owner’s surveyor if required.If you have been served with a party wall notice then the appointment of a surveyor is typically at no cost to you.

Yes, you can appoint your own party wall surveyor, or both neighbours can agree on a single “agreed surveyor” to keep costs down and potentially quicken the process

You will not need a party wall surveyor if your neighbour consents in writing and no disputes arise. Otherwise, one must be appointed to resolve the matter.

Party wall surveyor fees typically range from £850 to £2,000+ plus VAT, depending on complexity and whether one or two surveyors are involved.

The process handled by a party wall surveyor usually takes between 2 to 8 weeks, depending on how quickly notices are responded to, how quickly technical and engineering information can be supplied and any disputes resolved.

A party wall award is a legally binding document prepared by a party wall surveyor outlining the work permitted, timelines, and safeguards for both parties.

No, your neighbour cannot unreasonably refuse access if required for lawful work, but your party wall surveyor must arrange this legally and fairly. We can provide you with advice regarding access rights at the design stage without obligation.

Starting work without notifying neighbours and the party wall process concluded can result in legal action, injunctions, and costly delays.

You may need a party wall surveyor for loft conversions, extensions, removal of chimney breasts, basement excavations, and any structural work on or near a shared boundary.

A party wall notice is a formal written document that informs your neighbour about planned works. It will likely provide details about works proposed under Section 1, 2 and or 6 of the Party Wall etc Act 1996. It’s the first step before appointing a party wall surveyor.

You must give 1–2 months’ notice depending on the type of work. A murus party wall surveyor can help ensure notices are served correctly.

Yes, but it’s often best to have a murus party wall surveyor draft and serve it professionally to avoid errors and ensure legal compliance.

If your neighbour doesn’t respond within 14 days, you’re considered “in dispute,” and a party wall surveyor must be appointed.

You cannot stop legal works, but you can appoint a party wall surveyor to ensure your property is protected during construction.

Yes, the party wall award issued by a party wall surveyor is legally binding and enforceable in court if necessary. That said, you have 14 days to appeal a party Wall Award in the County Court should you wish to.

Yes, one party wall surveyor can act as the “agreed surveyor” for both parties if both owners consent. It is a statutory role and hence the Surveyor will act impartially meaning there are no conflict of interest issues.

If your neighbour refuses or ignores the process, you can appoint a party wall surveyor on their behalf after the 14-day notice period. This is known as a process under 10(4) of the Party Wall etc Act 1996

Look for a qualified party wall surveyor with experience, good reviews, and accreditation from a body like the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors. We have confidence in every one of the surveyors in the murus network and so arguably you do not have to look anywhere else!

While there’s no legal requirement, a competent party wall surveyor should have relevant surveying or structural experience and knowledge of the Party Wall Act. All surveyors in the murus network have professional qualifications and undertake continual professional development every year to ensure their knowledge is up to date.

Yes, even for minor works, a party wall surveyor can prevent disputes, protect your property, and provide peace of mind.

Yes, you can appeal a party wall award in county court within 14 days, but consult a solicitor or another party wall surveyor before proceeding.

You can find a trusted party wall surveyor through professional directories,local recommendations, or online searches tailored to your area. That said, murus have surveyors operating throughout England and Wales so get in touch and you can appoint someone qualified, local to you.

A competent party wall surveyor should ideally have a background in surveying, construction, or engineering, and a strong understanding of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Murus surveyors typically have membership with the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Association of Building Engineers, Chartered Institute of Building or Pyramus and Thisbe Society. We even have surveyors who are members of all of them!

Many party wall surveyors offer an initial free consultation or call to assess your project and advise on whether the Act applies. All murus surveyors will happily provide property Owners and Neighbours a 20 minute free, no obligation telephone consultation in order that they can better understand their rights and obligations under the Party Wall etc Act

If internal renovations affect a shared wall structurally (e.g. removing chimney breasts), a party wall surveyor may be needed even for internal works.

A party wall notice is the initial legal notice sent to your neighbour; a party wall award, issued by a party wall surveyor, is the legal document that follows if there’s a dispute.

You can consent in writing, dissent and appoint your own party wall surveyor, or dissent and agree to use the same surveyor. A response is required within 14 days. Alternatively get in touch and we can assist.

No. A party wall surveyor is legally required to act impartially, even if paid by one party.

A party wall surveyor will inspect the property, record its condition in a schedule of condition, and assess any risks related to the proposed works.

A schedule of condition is a report, often with photos, created by a party wall surveyor to record the condition of your property before work begins.

Yes, if the loft conversion involves steel beams into a shared wall or the raising of the party wall or other structural changes, a party wall surveyor is required.

Neighbours have the right to be notified of proposed works, appoint a party wall surveyor, access legal protections, and receive compensation for damages if caused.

The party wall surveyor can revisit the matter, inspect the damage, and determine if the building owner is liable under the award.

You cannot indefinitely delay the process. If you don’t respond, the building owner can appoint a party wall surveyor on your behalf after the service of a 14 day notice and a subsequent 10 day reminder letter.

A third party wall surveyor is selected in advance to act as an adjudicator if the two surveyors disagree. The Building Owner and Adjoining Owner can also refer matters to the Third Surveyor should they wish.

You cannot stop them from appointing their own party wall surveyor, but you can appoint your own if you disagree with their choice.

Yes, flats often involve multiple party wall agreements and a party wall surveyor may be needed for works affecting floors, ceilings, adjacent excavations or shared walls.

Yes, if the garden wall is a shared boundary or "party fence wall", then a party wall surveyor may be required for alterations, repair or rebuilding.

A party wall surveyor investigates the facts, gathers evidence, and issues a fair, legally binding party wall award to resolve disputes.

Once you consent, it’s generally binding. You would need to raise new concerns and may then involve a party wall surveyor to resolve them.

Yes, a party wall award issued by a party wall surveyor is legally enforceable and can be used in court to support claims.

No, carrying out work covered by the Party Wall Act without notice or a party wall surveyor can lead to legal action or an injunction.

You can typically start work once the Award is served on you by the party wall surveyor, but it's often 1–2 months after notice has been served, depending on the complexity of the project.

A party wall surveyor can help determine if this falls under the Party Wall Act and whether notice must be served for excavations or wall construction.

Yes, with a party wall award in place, you can claim damages, and the party wall surveyor can assess responsibility and compensation.

You should contact a party wall surveyor at least 3 months before you plan to start work to allow time for notices, responses, and awards.