A party wall surveyor looks at the construction work to ensure everything is legally and fairly carried out. They reduce or eliminate risks that may affect adjoining properties. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies if you have construction work done on boundary walls, party walls, or excavation near neighboring buildings. Disputes are a common issue with property proximity, so hiring an expert to ensure the work proceeds without problems saves you a lot of time, effort, and hassle. Here are a few things you can expect.
What Party Wall Surveyors Do
Serve notices. Party wall surveyors serve notices to owners of adjoining properties. They serve the notices when one of the two owners intends to have work done on an adjoining property.
Prepare a schedule. Before construction begins, party wall surveyors assess the property’s condition. Are there any damage claims that may result from the construction work? Their assessment report will help address any claims and ensure the construction continues. The last thing they want is anything to impede the project’s progress.
Draft awards. They also draft the party wall award or agreement, a legal document establishing the owners’ rights and responsibilities.
Resolve issues. If any problems comp up, surveyors can step in and resolve the conflict between the two parties. The agreement is also crucial here, as it reminds both owners of their responsibilities are and the boundaries they shouldn’t cross.
Ensure compliance. Surveyors must always check if the team carries out the work in compliance with the terms of the agreement. Are there any problems? If any inconveniences arise, surveyors ensure the owners don’t have to deal with any inconveniences.
Enforce safety. Surveyors focus on preventing problems, so the construction work can proceed without a hitch. That’s also why they’re strict on ensuring safety guidelines and protocols are followed. They don’t want the staff putting themselves or someone else at risk. The project is executed much faster with safety rules in place.
Why Do You Need Party Wall Surveyors
- Legal compliance. With a party wall surveyor, you can rest easy, knowing that the construction work complies with legal documents. That prevents potential issues from coming up later. Legal compliance issues can cost you considerable time and money to resolve. Preventing them in the first place is a more proactive approach.
- Dispute resolution. Surveyors act as neutral parties between owners of adjoining properties. They take steps to prevent issues. If those issues happen, the next best thing they do is to resolve those conflicts, ensuring that both owners don’t deal with unnecessary stress and hassles.
- Damage protection. When surveyors oversee the construction work, one of their main goals is to protect the property from damage. That’s also why they assess the property’s condition first. They want to know what they’re working with. If there’s been no damage, they can proceed with little to without worrying about any problems. But if the property is in bad shape, they’ll document that situation and ensure both owners are aware to prevent anyone from filing damage claims later.
- Uphold rights. A surveyor ensures that either owner won’t act independently or put the property at risk of damage. Owners trust a surveyor to look after their needs, so they won’t have to grow anxious, thinking something may go wrong.
Choosing a Party Wall Surveyor
Knowledgeable. Look for surveyors with excellent knowledge of the process. Ask how they’ll do the construction work. What will the job entail? Their answers will help determine which surveyors will be perfect for your project.
Experienced. What kind of construction work have they handled in the past? Have they been involved in extensions, loft conversions, and basement work? Ask about their experience with specific projects if you plan on having any of those done on an adjoining property.
Negotiation skills. Surveyors do a delicate balancing act. They must look after the rights of both owners. Finding someone with excellent negotiation skills can go a long way to ensure there won’t be any problems on your neighbor’s end. They can help you find an amicable solution or resolution with the other owner.
Communication skills. Find someone you can work with. Are you comfortable talking to the surveyor? Choose someone professional and easy to talk to. That skill will come in handy, especially when the surveyor talks to the other owner.
Should I Hire a Party Wall Surveyor?
- Are you putting up a new wall on the boundary of two properties? Is the new wall right at the boundary?
- Do you want construction work done on an existing party wall? Do you want to rebuild, thicken, alter, or fix sections of the area?
- Will you excavate within 3 to 6 meters of a property you share with another owner?
If you answered yes to all these questions, then you need a party wall surveyor to aid your project.
