The 6 Stages

The party wall process can be broken down into 6 stages. 

Here, we go over the stages and include a rough estimate of the costs incurred at each stage. 

Stage 1: Confirm facts

It’s vital that key facts are confirmed before issuing notices. I will:

1. Consult any required planning permissions, building control reports and your architectural, design,
structural engineers and any building contractors on the plans.

(Time Estimate: 3 hours. Fee Estimate: £240)

2. Undertake searches to confirm and discover neighbouring owners who are engaged by The Act

(“Adjoining Owners”), including freeholders, relevant leaseholders and those holding other qualifying
interests.

(Time Estimate: 2 hours. Fee Estimate: £160)

3. Review and confirm facts with you, and provide any reviewed estimate of the likely costs of proceeding toissue notices.

NB: If you do not wish to proceed with the works at this stage, you can request for me
to resign from this process.

(Time Estimate: 0.5 hours. Fee Estimate: £40)

Stage 2: Serve Notices and Receive Replies

1. The exact number of notices and letters will not be confirmed until after Stage 1.

2. I will draft and serve all required notices on Adjoining Owners. This information will state:

i. that you intend to appoint me as a party wall surveyor should they dissent to the works

ii. their various options, including to consent to the works and to appoint me as Agreed Surveyor.

(Time Estimate: 2 hours. Fee Estimate: £160)

3. If any of the Adjoining Owners do not reply to the first set of notices within the statutory time frames, I
will serve the required formal requests for them to appoint a surveyor within 10 days.

(Time Estimate: 1 hour. Fee Estimate: £80)

4. I will receive and review all replies to notices, including any consents to works, appointments as Agreed Surveyor or inspections to provide a Schedule of Condition and draft a report back to you.

(Time Estimate: 1 hour. Fee Estimate: £80)

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Stage 3: Appointment of Surveyors
1. Unless all of the Adjoining Owners provide written consent to the works, I will be appointed as an
Appointed Surveyor in accordance with your Letter of Engagement, the Notices and Section 10(1) of the
Act. NB: At this stage Section 10(2) of the Act does not allow my appointment as Party Wall
Surveyor to be rescinded by any party and I can only withdraw in very limited and specific
circumstances.
2. The Adjoining Owners may agree that I can act as Agreed Surveyor for this process. This generally reduces
your total costs, as you do not have to pay for the services of the Adjoining Owner’s chosen surveyors, and
it will not be necessary to appoint a Third Surveyor under The Act.
3. If any of the Adjoining Owners appoint another surveyor, I will work collaboratively with them to appoint
a Third Surveyor as required by The Act, gain access to conduct any Schedule of Condition, draft and
agree the award with other Appointed Surveyors and deal with any other matters arising with regard to The

Act. Please appreciate that the more surveyors appointed to the process, the more delay and costs are likely
to result.

(Time Estimate: 2 hours. Fee Estimate: £160)