Your local Party Wall Surveyor – expert, fast and affordable
Where architectural insight meets party wall knowledge
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Our dual perspective advantage
When construction affects a shared boundary, legal procedures shouldn’t stand between you and the project that you’ve carefully planned and dreamed about.
At Keri Barr Architects, we bridge the gap between creative design and technical compliance – offering party wall services that protect your interests without hindering your project.
Keri’s background provides a significant advantage: as both an ARB and RIBA registered architect, we navigate these requirements with a holistic understanding that many surveyors simply cannot offer.
This means that we can anticipate how party wall considerations interact with your design intentions, construction timeline and budget – helping you to prevent costly redesigns or delays before they occur.
Streamlined service for residential projects
We specialise in residential transformations for homeowners and small commercial developers. This focus allows us to deliver party wall services that are:
Don’t let your party wall requirements become a source of anxiety. Contact Keri today to ensure that this essential aspect of your project is handled with the same care and expertise as your architectural design.
Your vision deserves both creative excellence and technical precision. Let’s work together to make it happen.
The Process Simplified
Step One: Initial Consultation
We will discuss your project and determine precisely what notices are required.
Step Two: Documentation
We will prepare all necessary notices and documentation in compliance with current legislation.
Step Three: Neighbour Communication
Professional handling of all discussions with adjoining owners.
Step Four: Resolution
We aim for a quick and amicable settlement of any concerns that might arise.
Step Five: Ongoing Support
Keri is available throughout your project to address any boundary related questions.
The essentials of the party wall regulations
The Party Wall Act establishes important protections for both homeowners and their neighbours during construction projects that affect shared boundaries. This legislation creates a framework to document existing conditions, outline construction methods and establish clear agreements before work begins.
If you’re planning an extension, loft conversion, excavation work or other projects on or near property boundaries – understanding party wall requirements is essential.
Proper compliance prevents disputes, protects your investment and maintains good relationships with neighbours.
Skipping required party wall procedures can lead to serious consequences, including legal action, financial liability and complications when selling your property in the future.
Read our guide to party wall requirements and how they might affect your property.
Fee Structure
We believe in making party wall services accessible and affordable for homeowners and small commercial clients.
While each project has unique requirements that may affect pricing, we offer a clear fee structure to help you budget appropriately for your project.
Initial Notice Preparation and Service
Primary notice: £80
Each additional adjoining property: £40
This covers the preparation and formal service of legally compliant party wall notices to neighbouring properties.
Schedule of Condition
Standard Assessment: £450 per adjoining property
Even when neighbours consent to your work, documenting the existing condition of their property provides essential protection – and can be used to prove, or dis-prove, any damage caused by the works. This detailed survey creates a thorough record of the current state of the structure of adjoining buildings before work begins. The survey is carried out to areas that are at potential risk of damage by the proposed works.
Party Wall Award (acting as the agreed surveyor)
Standard Fee: £650 per adjoining property
When we serve as the mutually agreed surveyor for both parties, following a dispute from an adjoining property owner.
This comprehensive fee covers the entire process including adjoining property assessment, photographic survey, written schedule of condition and issuing the formal Party Wall Award that protects all involved parties.
Party Wall Award (acting for the building owner)
Standard Fee: £110 /hour
Typical Project Range: £660-£880 (per adjoining owner)
When we serve as the building owners surveyor, following a dispute with the adjoining property owner. We negotiate with the adjoining owners appointed surveyor to agree the Party Wall Award and create a schedule of condition – of the adjoining owners property.
For typical residential extensions and loft conversions, the process typically requires 6-8 hours of professional time. More complex projects may require additional hours.
Fee Examples for Common Projects
Typical residential extension
New build home (affecting multiple boundaries)
All fees include necessary site visits, documentation and standard communications. Additional site visits or extraordinary negotiations may incur supplemental charges, which will always be discussed in advance.
We strive to provide excellent value while maintaining the highest professional standards. Please contact Keri for a specific quote tailored to your project’s unique requirements.
FAQs
What exactly is the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall Act is legislation that provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes related to work near or on boundaries between properties. It establishes clear procedures for notifying neighbours and getting necessary agreements before certain types of construction work begin.
You can read about it in detail here: Party Wall Act.
How do I know if my project falls under the Party Wall Act?
Your project likely requires party wall procedures if you’re:
- Building on or near a boundary
- Working on a shared wall, fence or structure
- Excavating near a neighbouring building
- Constructing a new wall along a boundary
- Converting a loft or removing a chimney breast
What's the difference between party wall requirements and planning permission?
Planning permission addresses whether your design complies with local development policies.
Party wall procedures specifically focus on how your construction might affect shared boundaries and neighbouring properties. You may need both, either, or neither depending on your specific project.
What does a Party Wall Surveyor actually do?
As a party wall surveyor, we provide several key services:
For property owners planning construction:
- Assess whether your project requires party wall notices
- Prepare and serve legally compliant notices to neighbours
- Document existing conditions of neighbouring properties
- Negotiate terms to protect all parties
- Create formal agreements (Awards) that establish legal protections
For neighbours receiving notices:
- Review notices and construction plans to identify potential impacts
- Advise on appropriate responses
- Represent your interests if you have concerns
- Ensure proper protections are included in any agreements
What is a schedule of condition and why is it important?
A Schedule of Condition is a non-intrusive detailed record of a property’s existing condition before construction begins. It typically includes:
- Photographs of walls, floors, ceilings and external areas in the vicinity of the proposed works
- Documentation of existing visible cracks, damage or defects
This document provides crucial protection for both parties by:
- Creating evidence of pre-existing conditions
- Preventing disputes about whether damage was caused by construction
- Providing a basis for resolving any claims that arise
Even if neighbours consent to your work, we strongly recommend completing this documentation to protect everyone involved.
For GDPR reasons the Schedule of Condition and photographs are not shared with any building owners. They are kept on file in case they’re needed.
What happens after I receive a party wall notice from my neighbour?
You have three options:
Consent to the works (which allows them to proceed but doesn’t waive your rights)
Dissent and agree to use an “Agreed Surveyor” (one professional representing both parties)
Dissent and appoint your own surveyor (creating a panel of two surveyors)
Each option has different implications for the process and potential costs. We can help you determine the most appropriate response for your situation.
Who pays for party wall surveyors?
Generally, the building owner (the person doing the construction) pays all reasonable costs associated with the party wall process, including surveyor fees for both parties. This is established in the legislation to ensure neighbours aren’t financially burdened by someone else’s construction project.
What is an ``Agreed Surveyor``?
An Agreed Surveyor is a single professional appointed by both the building owner and neighbouring property owner. This surveyor must act completely impartially to protect both parties interests. This approach often streamlines the process and reduces overall costs while still ensuring proper protections are in place.
Can party wall requirements stop my neighbour's project completely?
The Party Wall Act doesn’t give neighbours the power to prevent a project altogether (that’s the role of planning permission). Instead, it ensures that the work is done in a way that protects adjoining properties. However, failure to follow proper procedures can result in injunctions that halt construction until requirements are met.
Can I serve the party wall notices myself?
While technically possible, self-prepared notices must meet specific legal requirements to be valid. Invalid notices can invalidate the entire process and leave you vulnerable to legal action. Professional preparation ensures notices are properly drafted, served and documented.