Party Wall Surveyors Across Surrey and Berkshire


Whether you are planning the works or your neighbour is, we make sure the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is followed properly and your interests are protected.

Where you are right now


You are in one of three positions.

You are planning works on your property


An extension, a loft conversion, a basement, a new wall on the boundary, or excavations near your neighbour's foundations. The law requires you to serve notice on your neighbour and follow a specific procedure before you start. Doing it wrong puts you at risk of an injunction and damages.

STEP 1

STEP 2

You have received a party wall notice from your neighbour


You have fourteen days to respond. You are wondering whether to consent or dissent, whether your house is at risk, who pays for what, and how to respond without falling out with the person next door.

STEP 3

Both parties have agreed to use a single surveyor



This is allowed under the Act and is often the most cost-effective route, especially for straightforward projects. The single surveyor (the Agreed Surveyor) acts impartially on behalf of both parties.

We act in all three roles. The right route depends on your situation. The first conversation is free.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996


The Act is a piece of legislation that governs three kinds of work:

SECTION 2

Works to a party wall or party structure

Cutting in, raising, demolishing and rebuilding, underpinning, exposing a party wall, inserting flashings

SECTION 1

Works on the line of junction

Building a new wall up to or astride the boundary

SECTION 6

Excavations within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring building

The threshold depends on the depth of excavation and the proximity to your neighbour's foundations

The Act is designed to allow building owners to carry out works they have a legal right to do, while protecting adjoining owners against unreasonable damage or disruption.

It is not optional. If your works fall under the Act and you do not serve notice, you are exposed to legal action and your insurance is likely to be invalidated.

Our Party Wall Services

Backyard patio with brick house wall, white window, skylight, and wooden fence under cloudy sky

Acting for the Building Owner


You are the one planning the works. We serve notice on your neighbour, agree the Party Wall Award, manage the Schedule of Condition, and represent you through the process. Fees for this work are paid by you.

Learn More →
Back patio with paving stones and a white rear extension on a two-story house

Acting for the Adjoining Owner


You are the one whose neighbour is planning works. We review the notice, advise you on your options, agree the Party Wall Award on your behalf, and ensure the Schedule of Condition protects your interests. Fees for this work are paid by the building owner, not by you.

Learn More →
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Acting as the Agreed Surveyor


Both parties have agreed to use a single surveyor. We act impartially on behalf of both. This is the most cost-effective route for straightforward projects where both parties trust the process.

Learn More →

Schedule of Condition


A Schedule of Condition is a photographic and written record of the condition of the adjoining owner's property before the works start. It is the reference document used to determine whether any damage was caused by the works.


We carry out Schedules of Condition as part of the Party Wall process, or as a standalone service where it is the only thing required.


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Example Schedule of Condition photograph documenting existing cracking before adjacent excavation works.

How it works

For a building owner:

1

You enquire. Tell us about your works and your neighbour. Same-day response.

2

We draft and serve notice. The correct notice for the works (Line of Junction, Party Structure, or Three/Six Metre). Served on your neighbour.

3

Your neighbour responds. They consent, dissent, or are deemed to have dissented if they do not reply within fourteen days.

4

If dissented, the Award process begins. Either both parties agree on a single Agreed Surveyor, or each party appoints their own. We act in either role.

5

Schedule of Condition. Carried out before the works begin.

6

Party Wall Award. The Award is the legal document that sets out what works can be done, when, and how. Signed by both surveyors (or by the Agreed Surveyor).

7

Works begin. Inspections during the works if required. Final inspection on completion.

Brick wall with a plaque reading “PARTY WALL 1878” and a small flower planter beneath it

Free Notice Templates

If you want to handle the initial notice yourself, you can. We provide three free templates covering the main notice types under the Act.

Line of Junction Notice

For new walls on or astride the boundary

Party Structure Notice

For works to an existing party wall or structure

Three / Six Metre Notice

For excavations within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring building

A word of caution: serving notice yourself is allowed by the Act, but if your neighbour dissents you will still need to instruct a surveyor for the Award stage. If your works are anything other than the simplest case, having a surveyor draft and serve the notice in the first place is usually better value.

Rhian Evans

PARTY WALL SERVICE

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"We were really impressed by the service we received from Jemade Palmer. Communication was always prompt and professional, and Uzoma made us feel that no question was a stupid one. We were always dealt with by the same person and were kept up to date with the progress of our survey. We received a detailed 76 page report on our property where we felt all jargon was explained, making the document extremely accessible. Moving house has the potential to cause a lot of stress but Jemade Palmer made the process incredibly easy and I would not hesitate to use them again in the future."

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Areas we cover


We provide Party Wall services across Surrey and Berkshire, with regular instructions in Guildford, Woking, Reading, Godalming, Farnham, Camberley, Aldershot, Kingston upon Thames, and Twickenham. We also act on instructions in central and west London.

Godalming

Farnham

Woking

Reading

Camberley

Kingston upon Thames

Aldershot

Twickenham

London

Hampshire

Guildford

Common Questions

  • How much does a building survey cost?

    Cost varies with the property type, size, age, and the level of survey. Send us the property details and we will come back to you the same day with a fixed price. No hidden extras.

  • How quickly can the survey be done?

    For pre-purchase surveys under chain pressure, we can usually attend within a few days and turn the report around within five working days of the inspection. Tell us the deadline when you enquire and we will tell you straight whether we can hit it.

  • Do you use specialist equipment?

    Yes. Telescopic pole camera for chimneys, roofs, and gutters. Damp meter on every survey. Thermal imaging where damp or insulation is in question. The photographs and findings go in the report.

  • What does the report look like?

    Traffic-light condition ratings (1 means no issues, 2 means needs attention but not urgent, 3 means needs urgent attention). Photograph evidence for every defect. Plain English explanations. Reasoned advice on what to do next.

  • Will you talk me through it?

    Yes, on the phone, before the report is finalised. The call is part of the survey, not an extra.

Ready to Get Started?


Call us or send a message. Same-day response.