Question 1

What is a party wall agreement?

Accepted Answer

A party wall agreement — formally called a Party Wall Award — is a legal document made under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. It records the condition of the adjoining property before notifiable building work begins, defines exactly what works will be done, sets working hours and access, and allocates responsibility if damage occurs. Both the building owner and adjoining owner are bound by it.

Question 2

Do I need a party wall surveyor for a loft conversion or extension?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes. Loft conversions almost always involve cutting into the party wall to insert steel beams (Section 2 works), and rear or side extensions normally require excavating within 3 metres of a neighbour's foundations (Section 6 works). Both are notifiable. A single-storey extension on a detached plot well away from any boundary is the main exception.

Question 3

How much does a party wall surveyor cost?

Accepted Answer

Party Wall Hub publishes fixed fees: £185 per adjoining owner to draft and serve a notice, and £950 for a full Party Wall Award where the neighbour consents or appoints us as agreed surveyor. Where the neighbour appoints their own surveyor, total costs typically land between £950 and £1,400 per adjoining owner. The building owner pays both surveyors' reasonable fees; the adjoining owner normally pays nothing.

Question 4

What is a Schedule of Condition?

Accepted Answer

A Schedule of Condition is a dated, photographic record of the adjoining property's condition before any notifiable work starts. It protects both sides: if cracks or damage are alleged later, there's an objective baseline to compare against. It's always recommended, even where the neighbour consents to the notice.

Question 5

What is a Party Wall Award?

Accepted Answer

A Party Wall Award is the legally binding document produced by the appointed surveyor(s) once a notice has been dissented to. It sets out the works to be carried out, working hours, access arrangements, the Schedule of Condition, and how any damage is to be remedied. Once served, the building owner can lawfully proceed with the notifiable works.

Question 6

What happens if my neighbour ignores a party wall notice?

Accepted Answer

If an adjoining owner doesn't respond within 14 days of being served, the Act treats it as a deemed dispute. The building owner must then appoint a surveyor on the neighbour's behalf to act impartially, so the process can continue. A non-response does not stop the works — it just means an Award is required.

Question 7

How long does the party wall process take?

Accepted Answer

From notice to served Award typically takes 4–6 weeks. Neighbours have 14 days to respond to a notice. If they consent, the Schedule of Condition can usually be completed within a week. If they dissent, drafting and serving the Award normally takes a further 2–3 weeks.

Question 8

Do you cover my area?

Accepted Answer

Party Wall Hub serves the whole of Swindon, Wiltshire and the wider South West and Thames Valley — within a 70-mile radius of Swindon. That includes Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Oxford, Reading, Newbury, Salisbury, Winchester and surrounding towns.

Question 9

Can I do this without a phone call?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The whole journey — eligibility check, fixed quote, drawing upload, inspection booking and progress tracking — is online. You can still call us on 01793 322 410 if you'd rather.

Question 10

Are you regulated and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Party Wall Hub is a Member of The Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA), and carries £1m of professional indemnity insurance and £2m of public liability insurance.

Party wall surveying, priced upfront.

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Party wall questions, answered.