Party Wall Surveyors
Party wall advice in Bristol and across the South West for homeowners, landlords, tenants, commercial property owners and adjoining owners.
If you plan to undertake works close the boundary of another property, you may be required to serve notices under the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996. We provide bespoke party wall advice for building owners and adjoining owners, to help you navigate the complex procedures involved in party wall works.
Party Wall Advice for Residential and Commercial property
If you are planning works close to a neighbouring property, or you have received a party wall notice, it is important to understand your position before the works progress.
Practical Surveying provide party wall advice for homeowners, landlords, tenants, commercial property owners and adjoining owners across Bristol, the South West and the wider M4 corridor.
The Act can apply to residential projects such as extensions, loft conversions, chimney breast removals and basement works, as well as commercial refurbishments, fit-outs, structural alterations, new walls and excavation works close to adjoining buildings.
Our advice is practical, clear and focused on helping the process move forward properly, reducing the risk of avoidable delays, disputes or uncertainty.
Party Wall Advice for Building Owners
If you are planning building works, party wall matters should be considered early in the project. Leaving notices until contractors are ready to start can cause avoidable delays, particularly if an adjoining owner dissents or does not respond.
If you need initial party wall advice, help serving party wall notices or further assistance over a party wall dispute with your neighbour, the first step is to contact a party wall surveyor. We regularly provide party wall services to building owners and offer free, impartial initial advice.
This can be important for residential works such as extensions, loft conversions, chimney breast removals and excavation for foundations.
It is also highly relevant to commercial projects, including tenant fit-outs, landlord refurbishment works, structural alterations, extensions and redevelopment projects. For commercial clients, early advice can help protect project programmes, lease-related timescales and wider property plans.
Party Wall Advice For Adjoining Owners
If you have received a party wall notice, you do not need to respond without understanding what the notice means or how the proposed works may affect your property.
We can review the notice, explain what it means in practical terms, and help you understand your options before you respond. If the matter progresses under the Act, we can advise on the party wall process and the steps that may follow.
Once appointed under the Act, a party wall surveyor has an impartial statutory role. The purpose is not to create unnecessary conflict, but to help ensure the correct process is followed and both owners’ rights are properly considered.
This advice is relevant to homeowners, commercial occupiers, landlords and property owners who may be affected by neighbouring works.
What Our Party Wall Service Can Include
Depending on whether you are planning works or responding to a notice, our party wall advice can include:
- Reviewing drawings, notices or proposed works
- Advising whether the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is likely to apply
- Advising on the relevant notices and helping establish which adjoining ownership interests may need to be considered
- Preparing and/or assisting with party wall notices where appropriate
- Reviewing notices received from neighbouring owners
- Advising on consent, dissent and surveyor appointments
- Acting as appointed surveyor or agreed surveyor under the Act where required
- Preparing or reviewing schedules of condition
- Preparing, reviewing or agreeing party wall awards where surveyor appointments are required
- Advising on practical next steps if works change, access is required or concerns are raised during the process
We aim to make the process clear from the outset, so you understand what needs to happen, when action is required and how the matter can be progressed properly.
When Might You Need Party Wall Advice?
Common residential examples include:
- rear or side extensions close to a neighbouring property
- loft conversions involving beams into a party wall
- removal of chimney breasts
- basement works
- excavation for new foundations
- rebuilding or repairing shared boundary walls
- structural alterations affecting a party wall or party structure
Common commercial examples include:
- office refurbishments involving structural works
- alterations to shops, restaurants, industrial units or warehouses
- commercial extensions or new boundary walls
- excavation for new foundations near adjoining buildings
- works to mixed-use buildings, flats or converted properties
- landlord-led refurbishment or redevelopment works
- tenant fit-out works involving party structures
What Does The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 Cover?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies in England and Wales and covers specific types of work affecting party walls, party structures, boundary walls and excavation near neighbouring buildings. It is separate from planning permission and building regulations, so a project may still need party wall notices even where other approvals are already in place.
The three main areas are:
Section 1: New walls at or near the boundary
Section 1 can apply where a new wall is proposed at or astride the boundary line between two properties.
This may be relevant for extensions, new boundary walls, commercial development works or new structures close to neighbouring land.
If the proposed wall is to be built astride the boundary, the adjoining owner’s written consent is normally required.
If consent is not given, the wall will usually need to be built wholly on the building owner’s land.
Section 2: Works to an existing party wall or party structure
Section 2 can apply where works affect an existing party wall or party structure.
This may include cutting into a party wall to insert beams, raising a party wall, carrying out repairs, inserting a damp-proof course, underpinning, or removing projections such as chimney breasts.
This section is commonly relevant to loft conversions, structural alterations, refurbishments and some commercial fit-out or redevelopment works.
Section 6: Excavation near neighbouring buildings
Section 6 can apply where excavation or foundation works are proposed close to a neighbouring building or structure.
This can include excavation within 3 metres where the works go deeper than the neighbour’s foundations, or excavation within 6 metres where the proposed works meet the depth and 45-degree line test set out in the Act.
This is often relevant to extensions, basement works, new foundations, commercial redevelopment and structural projects close to adjoining property.
How The Party Wall Process Works
The exact process depends on the proposed works, the notices required and how the adjoining owner responds. In most cases, the key stages are:
1. Initial advice
The proposed works are reviewed to assess whether the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is likely to apply.
2. Notices and timings
If notices are required, the correct notice route, relevant owners and timing should be considered before works proceed. The required notice period depends on the type of work and notice being served.
3. Adjoining owner response
The adjoining owner may consent, dissent or not respond. For certain notices, if no response is received within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act.
4. Surveyor appointment
Where a dispute arises, either one agreed surveyor may be appointed by both owners, or each owner may appoint their own surveyor. Once appointed, the surveyor’s role is impartial under the Act.
5. Schedule of condition and award
Where required, a schedule of condition may be prepared before works begin. If a party wall award is needed, it sets out how and when the relevant works may be carried out.
6. Works proceed
Works should proceed in line with any written agreement, party wall award, relevant notice requirements and agreed terms under the Act.
Why Choose Practical Surveying?
Clear, practical surveying advice for commercial and residential property decisions.
RICS-regulated
Professional surveying advice from a RICS-regulated practice, with clear standards and technical accountability.
Expert Advice
Technical surveying experience delivered with the responsiveness and direct communication of a smaller practice.
Clear guidance
Technical issues explained in straightforward terms, so you understand the risks, options and next steps.
Follow-up support
Follow-up advice is available after your report has been issued, helping you understand the findings before making decisions.
Stuart Blick MRICS
Chartered Building Surveyor
Director
Leading Expertise You Can Trust
Founded by Stuart Blick MRICS, a Chartered Building Surveyor, Practical Surveying provide clear, practical advice backed by years of experience across commercial and residential property.
Stuart’s commitment to high standards ensures clients receive personalised service and trusted guidance at every stage. With RICS regulation, you can rely on us for technical excellence and integrity in all your property needs.
Get in touch with Stuart today:
Areas We Cover
We are based in Bristol and regularly provide party wall advice across the South West, South Wales, London and the wider M4 corridor, including:
Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Cardiff, Exeter, Somerset, London, Chippenham, Swindon, Winchester, Oxford, Salisbury, Somerset, Stroud, Weston Super Mare, Chepstow, Kingswood, Slough, Newbury, Newport, Reading and Maidenhead.
If your property sits outside these areas, please get in touch. We are often able to help further afield, particularly for commercial instructions and portfolio work.
Party Wall FAQs
You may need a party wall surveyor if your works fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and an adjoining owner dissents or does not respond to the relevant notice. Common examples include works to a party wall, new walls at or near a boundary, or excavation close to neighbouring buildings.
It is sensible to seek advice before serving notices, as using the wrong notice or missing relevant adjoining owners can delay the process.
If you have received a party wall notice, you should review what works are proposed, check whether they may affect your property, and decide whether you are comfortable consenting.
There is usually a limited period to respond, so it is worth getting advice promptly. You do not have to respond without advice. We can review the notice, explain what it means and advise whether appointing a party wall surveyor may be appropriate.
For certain types of notice, if the adjoining owner does not respond within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act. Surveyors may then need to be appointed so the process can continue and a party wall award can be agreed.
The exact position depends on the type of notice served and the works proposed, so it is worth getting advice if no response is received.
If the works are covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the correct notices should usually be served before work starts. If works begin without the required notice where the Act applies, this can increase the risk of dispute, delay or formal action.
If you are concerned about neighbouring works, we can advise whether the Act may apply and what your next steps could be.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 does not usually allow an adjoining owner to simply stop works because they object to them. However, where the Act applies, the correct notices and process must be followed before the relevant works proceed.
If a dispute arises, surveyors may need to agree to a party wall award setting out how and when the works can be carried out.
Yes. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can apply to both residential and commercial property in England and Wales. It may be relevant to offices, shops, industrial units, warehouses and mixed-use premises where works affect party walls, party structures, boundary walls or nearby foundations.
Commercial projects can involve additional complexity because landlords, tenants, freeholders, leaseholders or managing agents may need to be considered.
In many cases, the building owner carrying out the works pays the reasonable party wall surveyor costs, particularly where the works are for their benefit. However, responsibility for costs can depend on the circumstances, the type of work and whether any additional works are requested by the adjoining owner.
We can explain the likely fee position once we understand the project and the role required.
The timescale depends on the works, the notices required and how quickly the adjoining owner responds. Some notices require at least one month before works can begin, while others require two months. If a dispute arises and a party wall award is needed, additional time should be allowed for surveyor appointments, inspections and preparation of the award.
For this reason, it is best to take party wall advice as early as possible in the project programme.
Need Party Wall Advice?
Whether you are planning works or have received a notice from a neighbour, we can help you understand your position and the next steps.
Speak to Practical Surveying for clear, practical party wall advice for residential and commercial property.