Excavating near a neighbour
New foundations or deeper excavation close to a neighbouring building can fall within the excavation provisions of the Act.
100+ five-star reviews · FPWS & RPSA members · London & the Home Counties
100+ five-star reviews · FPWS & RPSA members · London & the Home Counties
Planning building work
Extensions, loft conversions, basements and structural alterations can involve work covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Understanding the position early gives you time to serve any required Notices and deal with your neighbour’s response before it begins to put unnecessary pressure on your construction programme.
Party Wall Notices from £70 + VAT.
Our Notice service costs £70 + VAT for up to two Adjoining Owners. If an Adjoining Owner dissents and an Award is required, additional surveyor fees apply depending on the appointment route.
Speak to a surveyor: 020 3727 5195
When the Act may apply
Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate from the Party Wall process.
The Party Wall Act may need to be considered where your project involves work to a shared structure, excavation close to neighbouring buildings or .
New foundations or deeper excavation close to a neighbouring building can fall within the excavation provisions of the Act.
Structural work affecting an existing party wall or party structure can require formal Notice.
New walls built on or at the Line of Junction between properties can involve specific Party Wall procedures.
Steelwork, chimney breast removal and other alterations affecting a party structure may fall within the Act.
Not sure whether any of these apply? Check my project
What are you planning?
New foundations, excavation close to neighbouring buildings and work at the boundary are common Party Wall considerations.
Rear extension guide
Structural steelwork, chimney alterations and works affecting a shared wall can bring a loft conversion within the Act.
Loft conversion guide
Deep excavation, underpinning and temporary works can make basement projects some of the more technically involved Party Wall matters.
Basement guide
Chimney breast removal, structural steelwork and alterations affecting a party wall or party structure may require Party Wall procedures.
Structural alterations guideNot sure?
Answer a few straightforward questions about the proposed works and we’ll indicate whether the Party Wall Act is likely to apply. You don’t need to know which section of the Act applies — we’ll guide you through it.
Already have drawings?
If your architect or engineer has already prepared drawings, send them across and we can review the proposed works, identify which parts of the Party Wall Act are likely to apply and explain the appropriate next step.
Architectural drawings are usually enough for an initial review. Structural information can also be provided where available.
Upload your drawings and we’ll explain the Party Wall position and the appropriate next step.
The Party Wall process
We review your proposed drawings and identify the likely Party Wall requirements.
Where required, the appropriate Party Wall Notices are prepared and served on the relevant adjoining owners.
Your neighbour can consent to the works or, where the statutory procedure applies, appoint a surveyor to deal with the matter.
Where neighbours consent, an Award may not be needed. Where a dispute arises, the appointed surveyor or surveyors deal with the relevant Party Wall matters and prepare an Award.
Understand the Party Wall Award processOnce the relevant statutory requirements have been satisfied, the notified works can proceed in accordance with any applicable Award.
Party Wall services
Preparation and service of the correct Notices, with a simple online response for your neighbour.
View serviceActing for you where your neighbour dissents and separate surveyors are appointed.
View serviceOne impartial surveyor appointed by both owners, where both agree to that route.
View serviceA dated record of the neighbouring property before the relevant works begin, where appropriate.
View serviceFees for each service are set out on our Prices page.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers help you programme the statutory process alongside your design and construction work.
You may need to serve notice if an extension is built at the boundary or requires excavation within the distances and depths set by the Act. The design, foundations and proximity of neighbouring buildings all matter, so the drawings should be checked before work starts.
The statutory notice period is generally one month for line of junction or adjacent excavation work and two months for work to an existing party structure. Starting early also leaves time to resolve a dispute and agree an award if one is required.
The procedure depends on the type of Notice served. For Party Structure and Adjacent Excavation Notices, a failure to consent within 14 days generally means a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act. The statutory surveyor procedure then applies. Line of Junction Notices work differently. Where a new wall is proposed wholly on the Building Owner’s land at the boundary, no response does not automatically create the same deemed-dispute procedure. Where a new party wall is proposed astride the boundary, the Adjoining Owner’s written consent is required. Without that consent, the Building Owner cannot rely on the Act to construct the wall astride the boundary. We can review the proposed works and confirm which procedure applies.
A party wall award is the written document agreed by the appointed surveyor or surveyors where a dispute has arisen. It describes the notified work and records practical safeguards, access arrangements and other matters relevant to carrying it out.
The building owner carrying out the work normally pays the reasonable costs arising from the statutory process, including the adjoining owner’s surveyor where separately appointed. Costs can depend on the project and the work required.
No. Planning permission, Building Regulations and Party Wall procedures are separate processes. Having one does not replace the others.
Send us your drawings or check your project online and we’ll help you understand whether the Party Wall Act is likely to apply and what to do next.
Practical guidance from our Party Wall Surveyors to help you understand the process and your options.
Planning Building Work
Planning an extension? Understand when excavation, boundary walls and work to shared structures may require a Party Wall Notice.
Read guide: Do I Need a Party Wall Notice for My Extension?
Planning Building Work
Find out how loft conversions involving steel beams, shared walls and structural alterations can trigger Party Wall requirements.
Read guide: Loft Conversions & Party Walls: What Homeowners Need to Know
Planning Building Work
Understand the Party Wall rules for new walls at the boundary, including when neighbour consent is needed.
Read guide: Building at the Boundary: What Are the Party Wall Rules?