abp Party Wall Surveyors

n	- The Excavation of foundations within 6m of an adjoining structure and below a line drawn at 45deg from the bottom of its foundations.

n	- The Excavation of foundations within 3m of an adjoining structure which would be lower than its foundations.

n	- The insertion of a beam into a shared wall.

n	- The insertion of a damp proof course all the way through a shared wall.

n	- The demolition and rebuilding of a party wall.

n	- Underpinning any parts of the party wall.

n	- The raising of the whole of the party wall including cutting off any object that may prevent this from happening.

n	- Cutting a flashing into an adjoining building to protect adjoining walls.

n	- The building of a new wall on the line of junction between two properties.

The Act provides for both or all owners to appoint their own surveyors or alternatively both or all parties appoint an agreed surveyor who will act impartially.

Please note: No one should act as a party wall surveyor on his own design projects as there is a conflict of interest. The architect, surveyor or designer should not be one and the same person as the party wall surveyor.

The Building Owner’s Surveyor will normally draw up the Award or the Agreed Surveyor and this will incorporate details of the works to be carried out and also when and how the work will be done. A record of the condition of the Adjoining Owner’s property is also taken before the work starts.

It is normal for the Building Owner who instigates the works to pay for all expenses under The Party Wall etc Act 1996.