Party wall surveyor cost 2024
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.
How much does a party wall surveyor cost?
Most party wall surveyors charge an hourly rate that is usually between £90 and £450 an hour. The cost of a party wall surveyor depends on where you are in the country and how much work they need to do.
The average project typically costs around £1,000 for a Party Wall Agreement. But this can rise depending on the complexity of the project and the number of surveyors involved. You could pay £900 for a straightforward loft conversion with only one party wall surveyor involved, but this could rise to around £6,000 for a basement building project with two surveyors.
While these averages give you an idea of a party wall surveyor cost in 2024, you should contact a local party wall surveyor to get a detailed quote.
Use our free tool to instantly find qualified local Party Wall Surveyors:
Find local chartered surveyors to discuss your party wall requirements.
Factors affecting party wall surveyor costs
There are a number of factors affecting party wall surveyor costs including:
- How much time it takes them to create your party wall agreement. For example, a party wall award involving several flats may cost more than an agreement between two neighbours in a semi-detached property.
- Party wall surveyor costs also depend on how many surveyors are involved. Ideally, you and your neighbours will use one party wall surveyor. But sometimes each owner involved opts to have their own party wall surveyor which can increase the costs – read on for more on this.
- The size of your property and the location will also be factors in the party wall surveyor costs you’ll pay.
What is a party wall?
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 if it is built astride the boundary. Wooden fences are not included in this definition.
Find qualified Party Wall Surveyors in your area and get a quote today.
Why do I need a party wall surveyor?
If you, or your neighbour, are planning any work that affects a party wall you may need a party wall surveyor. Works that commonly affect party walls include loft conversions, inserting damp proof courses and digging foundations for extensions.
Party Wall Award
The 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.
Who pays the fees for a party wall surveyor?
Building works affecting a party wall
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 notice’, this should be done in writing 2 months up to 1 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 Agreement and not need to pay a surveyor. 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 the costs associated with drawing up the Party Wall Agreement including paying the surveyor(s).
Single surveyor vs two party wall surveyor costs
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 who is planning the work that will affect the party wall pays for all party wall survey fees.
However, 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 |
And your party wall surveyor costs could rocket further if two separate party wall surveyors are used but can’t reach an agreement. In this circumstance, a third impartial party wall surveyor is hired to reach a final decision.
Repairs to a party wall
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, costs 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.
How to keep party wall surveyor costs down
The best way to avoid soaring party wall surveyor costs is to try to keep things friendly with your neighbour. Before you serve them a Party Wall Notice, have a friendly chat and discuss your plans. 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.
A bit of time spent on friendly relations at the start 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
Who pays for a party wall surveyor?
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.
Can neighbour refuse party wall agreement
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.
Other ways we can help
Find a Party Wall Surveyor
Find a Structural Engineer
Find an Architect
Remortgage Now
