Are you planning building works that requires a party wall notice?
Or, have you received a party wall notice from a neighbour?
Getting professional advice early can save time, money and stress.
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As experienced UK Party Wall Surveyors we provide clear, practical guidance under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, helping building owners and adjoining owners protect their legal interests and property, avoiding dispute and delay.
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Our party wall services ensure compliance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 while keeping relationships with neighbours positive and professional.
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Common Works Requiring a Party Wall Agreement
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Loft conversions in terraced or semi-detached houses
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Rear and side return extensions
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Removal of chimney breasts
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Structural steel beam installations
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Excavation within 3 or 6 metres of neighbouring foundations
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Basement extensions
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Piling and Under-pinning
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Repairs to shared party fence walls
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A formal Party Wall Agreement helps prevent misunderstandings and protects neighbourly relationships.
Party Wall Advice
For Building Owners
If you are planning works such as extensions, loft conversions, basement excavations or structural alterations, we'll firstly provide free advice as to whether a Party Wall Notice is required to be served upon your adjoining owner(s).
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If your project does require a Party Wall Notice we'll work to meet your obligations as a building owner, protecting your position to minimise the risk of delays, disputes or unexpected costs.
​We prepare and serve the correct Party Wall Notices on your behalf, to help meet your legal obligation under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 ensuring everything is done properly from the outset.
Before any work commences, you may also wish to conduct a Schedule of Condition to protect you from unfair and inaccurate damage claims by neighbours.
We'll manage your party wall process from start to finish, including serving notices, responding to notices and agreeing Party Wall Awards (if required) , to ensure your project is kept on schedule and all legal requirements are met.​​​
For Adjoining Owners
If your neighbour is planning building works — such as a loft conversion, rear extension, basement excavation or structural alterations — you may be legally entitled to protection under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
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Maybe you've already served a Party Wall Notice from a neighbour?
​We act solely in your interests as the adjoining owner's surveyor to ensure safeguards are included in a Party Wall Agreement (Party Wall Award) to protect your property, your rights, and your peace of mind when nearby construction or deep excavations takes place.
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In most cases, the building owner undertaking the works is responsible for the reasonable surveyors’ fees. This means you can appoint us at no cost to yourself.
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​​We review the proposed works in detail, assess and identify any structural and property risks. If damage occurs, it outlines a clear and enforceable process for repairs or compensation.
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​For high risk building works such as under-pinning and basement excavations, a detailed Schedule of Condition and/or Security for Expenses may also be recommended as part of the Award before works begin.​​​
Schedules of Condition
In most cases, a Schedule of Condition is undertaken as part of the party wall process. This detailed report creates a record of the condition of a neighbouring property before works commence and can be used to provide clear evidence and clarity should damage be alleged during or after construction.
It includes:
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Written descriptions of existing defects
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High-resolution photographs
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Structural observations
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Internal and external condition records
A Schedule of Condition protects both building owners and adjoining owners by establishing a clear baseline record.
In cases where the Party Wall process does not apply to your project, but the proposed works may be contentious or in very close proximity to a neighbouring property or structure, we recommend and offer a Schedule of Condition to provide detailed written and photographic record of the sensitive areas that may be affected before works commence.
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Security for Expenses
Where the risk of damages occurring is high, or there is a substantial threat of an unforeseen issue occurring on the building project, we can arrange for a Security for Expenses, where a calculated and agreed sum of money is placed into an Escrow account (where cash is held by a neutral third party) which can be called upon to carry out the completion of works or repairing damages caused.
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The Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 12 uses Security for Expenses to provide a financial safeguard that allows an Adjoining Owner to demand the Building Owner provides a security deposit before starting work. This gives protection against potential damages, professional fees, or costs arising from project abandonment, particularly in high-risk works such as excavations, basements, or underpinning.
It ensures that if a building owner starts a project but fails to complete it—due to insolvency, abandonment, or other factors—funds are readily available for the neighbour to make their property safe or repair damage. It typically covers potential costs for structural repairs, temporary accommodation, professional fees, and making an abandoned site safe.
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Where high risk works are planned, we will determine with neighbours and appointed party wall surveyors for a Security for Expenses to be agreed within the Party Wall Award.
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Why choose Party Wall Assist?
✔ Free initial advice
✔ Extensive experience producing Party Wall Awards
✔ Impartial and professional service
✔ Deep technical understanding of structural works
✔ Clear jargon-free estimation of costs
✔ Impartial dispute resolution
✔ Focus on avoiding disputes and delays for project
✔ Practical, commercially focused approach for both building owners and adjoining owners
✔ Trusted by homeowners, developers, insurers and public bodies
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Whether you need advice on a party wall agreement, help responding to a party wall notice, or support with access and neighbourly matters, we are here to help.​