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If you share a wall with a neighbour - known as the party wall - and are undergoing building works then you may need to involve a party wall surveyor. This can complicate things, create more paperwork and add costs to your building project. But how much does a party wall surveyor cost? What can push the costs up? And who is responsible for paying what? Here's everything you need to know.
KEY INFORMATION
Typical party wall surveyor costs vary depending on the type of building work.
| Project type | Typical party wall surveyor costs |
|---|---|
| Loft conversion | £900 to £1,200 |
| Extension | £1,200 to £1,500 |
| Basement | £1,800 to £2,700 |
These are the typical costs if only one party wall surveyor is appointed.
If both neighbours appoint their own party wall surveyor, the cost of a party wall agreement can double because each surveyor charges their own party wall surveying fees.
Use our free tool to instantly find qualified local Party Wall Surveyors:
Find local chartered surveyors to discuss your party wall requirements.
There are a number of factors affecting party wall surveyor costs and the overall cost of a party wall agreement, including:
A party wall is a wall shared by two (or more) properties. If you live in a semi-detached or terraced home, for example, a party wall would be the one that forms both part of yours and your neighbour’s property.
A party wall is usually divided by the boundary line but can include a wall solely on one property, where an adjoining building derives support from it.
It could also include a freestanding garden wall built astride the boundary. Wooden fences are not included in this definition.
You will need a party wall agreement if you’re:
Common examples of when you may need a party wall agreement include:
Find qualified Party Wall Surveyors in your area and get a quote today.
A party wall surveyor is a building surveyor who manages disputes and agreements under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Their role during the party wall surveying process usually includes:
If you are planning building work that will affect a party wall, you need to inform any neighbouring properties affected by the work. Known as ‘serving a party wall notice’, this should be done in writing between two months and one year before building works begin.
If your neighbours are happy with the planned works, and you agree terms under which work will be carried out, you may not need a Party Wall Award, which means you may avoid paying party wall surveyor costs. You should still prepare a ‘schedule of condition’ to avoid disputes later on. This can be agreed together or a surveyor could be appointed to prepare one.
However, if you can’t agree, that is, your neighbour refuses your party wall agreement, then a party wall surveyor will be needed to draw up an agreement. Usually, the owner who is planning the building work will pay all party wall surveyor costs associated with drawing up the Party Wall Agreement.
The party wall surveyor’s job is to draw up a Party Wall Award, also known as a Party Wall Agreement. This will set out your rights and responsibilities, and that of the other owners of the party wall.
It should cover how the building works will be carried out including acceptable working hours, how the party wall will be accessed and any other necessary agreements relating to the work.
It will also include a ‘schedule of condition’. This is a detailed record including photographs of the adjoining properties’ condition prior to the start of building works. This serves as a record in the event of a dispute over areas affected by the building works.
You can find out more with our guide to Party Wall Agreements.
Party wall surveying costs will normally have to be paid by the homeowner serving the notice.
However, in some instances they will be split. RICS explains: “For instance, if a party wall (shared wall) is in a state of disrepair, the owner serving the notice may require part of the costs to be met by the neighbour where the cause of the defect and use of the wall is shared. A chartered surveyor will be able to advise on the correct apportionment of such costs.”
You can appoint one impartial agreed party wall surveyor to act for both you and your neighbour or you can each have your own surveyor.
The owner who is planning the work that will affect the party wall pays for all party wall surveying fees.
Expect your party wall surveyor costs to double if you need to pay for two party wall surveyors. Here’s what you may pay:
| Single party wall surveyor costs | Two party wall surveyor costs | |
|---|---|---|
| Average total cost | £900 to £2,700 | £1,800 to £5,400 |
| Loft conversion | £900 to £1,200 | £1,800 to £2,400 |
| Extension | £1,200 to £1,500 | £2,400 to £3,000 |
| Basement | £1,800 to £2,700 | £3,600 to £5,400 |
Your party wall surveyor costs could increase further if two separate party wall surveyors are used but can’t reach an agreement. In this circumstance, a third independent party wall surveyor is appointed to resolve the dispute and finalise the Party Wall Agreement.
According to the Government’s Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the exception to this is if the work being proposed is needed due to a defect or repairs.
In this case, the cost of party wall surveying may be split between you and your neighbour. How much you each pay will depend on how much use you each have of the structure or wall concerned and which of you bears responsibility for the defect or repair. It will be down to the party wall surveyor to decide who pays the fees.
Use our free tool to instantly find qualified local Party Wall Surveyors:
Find local chartered surveyors to discuss your party wall requirements.
The best way to avoid rising party wall surveyor costs is to maintain a good relationship with your neighbour.
Before you serve a Party Wall Notice, discuss your plans with them. Show them sketches or plans for the work. Share your builder’s contact details so they can ask them questions too.
You may agree the works without needing a party wall surveyor, or at least agree to just use one agreed surveyor for both neighbours, reducing the cost of the party wall agreement.
A little preparation early on could save you thousands of pounds down the line. Get more tips on how to tackle the situation with our guide to getting a party wall agreement.
Find qualified Party Wall Surveyors in your local area and get quotes today
Usually, the building owner who is planning the building work will pay all the costs associated with drawing up the Party Wall Agreement including paying the surveyor(s). You can appoint one impartial agreed surveyor to act for both you and your neighbour or you can each have your own surveyor. The owner pays for all party wall survey fees.
Yes, after you (the building owner doing the work) has given notice your neighbour can either give consent, refuse consent, which will start the dispute resolution process, or serve a counter notice requesting additional works be done at the same time (at a cost to them if they benefit from the works). See our guide on how to avoid a neighbour refusing a party wall agreement, and what to do if it happens to you.
The cost of a party wall agreement typically ranges from £900 to £2,700 when one surveyor is involved. If both neighbours appoint their own party wall surveyor, the cost can increase to £1,800 to £5,400 depending on the complexity of the project.
Usually the building owner carrying out the work pays the party wall surveyor costs.
However, costs may sometimes be shared if repairs are needed to a wall used by both neighbours.
Yes. Both neighbours can appoint one agreed party wall surveyor to act impartially.
Using one surveyor usually reduces the party wall surveyor cost compared to appointing two separate surveyors.
Several factors can increase party wall surveyor costs, including: appointing two surveyors, disputes between neighbours and multiple adjoining owners.
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