Our Party Wall Services
As Chartered Building Surveyors, the team at Grafton Building Consultancy are the principal profession to appoint and act impartially to administer the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. We can act on your behalf as the Building Owner’s surveyor, the Adjoining Owner’s surveyor, or as the Agreed Surveyor acting for both parties.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 came into force on 1st July 1997. The Act gives rights to do work to party structures, subject to arrangements to protect the affected adjoining owner. It applies to any party wall or other party structure, such as garden walls and intermediate floors between separate properties. It also covers rights to carry out excavations near to party walls, and applies to certain types of new walls or structures at boundaries.
Party Wall Surveyors In Hertfordshire, Norfolk, London and Beyond!
Working from our offices in Hertford, London and Aylsham, Norfolk, our Chartered Building Surveyors act on party wall matters for Building Owners and Adjoining Owners across a wide range of residential and commercial properties.
Party wall matters often arise alongside extensions, refurbishments and new builds. Where our architectural services or project management services are involved, we can make sure the party wall process is considered early, so notices are served in good time and works can progress smoothly. Where existing defects need investigating, our building pathology and building survey expertise allows us to provide a clear picture of the condition of the properties involved.
How Does It Work?
Wherever a party structure will be affected by work to be carried out to it, or by excavations near to it, the person carrying out the work (the Building Owner) is required to serve notice on the Adjoining Owner, within certain fairly onerous time-scales, setting out the proposals for the building work. In considering a response to a notice, there are clear guidelines in the Act setting down just what the Adjoining Owner can or cannot require.
If the Adjoining Owner does not consent in writing within 14 days of the notice, or a counter notice is served requiring the Building Owner to carry out certain other works, a dispute is deemed to have arisen. Each owner is then required to appoint a surveyor to act on their behalf to agree and publish an award. Alternatively, the two owners can agree to the appointment of one Agreed Surveyor, who acts in the same way in reaching a decision and making an award.
The Party Wall Process
The Act sets out a clear process, from serving notice through to publishing the award.
Why Choose Grafton Building Consultancy?
As Chartered Building Surveyors, we are the principal profession appointed to administer the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, acting impartially and professionally on every appointment.
- Chartered Building Surveyors, regulated by RICS
- Over 27 years’ experience across residential, commercial and education projects
- A single point of contact, with clear communication and regular reporting
- Integrated surveying, architectural, contract administration and project management services
- Offices in Hertford, London and Aylsham, Norfolk
