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Party Wall Awards
A Party Wall Award is a formal document prepared by appointed surveyors where a dispute arises under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Whether you’re planning building work or have received a Notice, we’ll explain which surveyor appointment route applies, what the Award involves and our fixed fees.
Fixed fees £699 + VAT or £799 + VAT · One dedicated surveyor throughout · Specialist Party Wall practice
The basics
When an Adjoining Owner dissents to certain Party Wall Notices, or a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act, the statutory surveyor procedure is used to resolve the relevant matters.
That sounds more confrontational than it often is.
In many residential projects, a dispute simply means the neighbour would prefer the proposed works to be formally considered and documented by appointed surveyors.
A Party Wall Award can
Once properly made and served, an Award is generally binding, subject to the statutory appeal provisions and applicable legal rules.
Do I need one?
Path one
Where the Adjoining Owner gives the necessary written consent to the notified works and no statutory dispute requires determination, a Party Wall Award will generally not be required.
A Schedule of Condition can still be arranged to record the relevant parts of the neighbouring property before construction begins.
Path two
For Party Structure and Adjacent Excavation Notices, a written dissent or failure to consent within the relevant 14-day period generally results in a dispute being deemed to have arisen.
The appointed surveyor or surveyors then deal with the relevant statutory matters through an Award.
The notifiable works covered by the dispute should not proceed before the necessary Award and other statutory requirements are in place.
Important distinction
Line of Junction Notices operate differently, particularly where a new wall is proposed astride the boundary and the Adjoining Owner’s written consent is required.
We review the proposed works and relevant Notices before confirming the appropriate procedure.
Not sure whether your project needs a Notice? Check my project
What’s included
Every Award should be proportionate to the particular works and matters in dispute.
Identifies the relevant notifiable works, usually referring to the architectural and structural drawings.
Sets out relevant working arrangements, methods and reasonable precautions.
Often includes a written and photographic record of the relevant parts of the adjoining property before construction begins.
Addresses relevant statutory access arrangements and precautions to protect the adjoining property.
Provides for dealing with relevant damage arising from the notifiable works, including making good or compensation where appropriate.
Determines the allocation of reasonable costs arising under the statutory procedure.
Understanding the limits
The Party Wall surveyor’s role is to resolve matters within the statutory procedure.
Where something falls outside that scope, we’ll explain the distinction rather than attempt to advise beyond our professional remit.
It does not replace
Which surveyor do I need?
The appropriate route depends on your role and how the Adjoining Owner responds.
One impartial surveyor for both owners.
Both owners agree to appoint one surveyor who acts impartially in settling the relevant matters and preparing the Award.
This can be a straightforward and cost-effective approach where both owners are comfortable with the appointment.
£799 + VAT
Fixed fee for a standard residential first Award, including our standard Schedule of Condition service where access and the agreed inspection scope permit.
Your neighbour has appointed their own surveyor.
Where the Adjoining Owner appoints a separate surveyor, we can act as the Building Owner’s appointed surveyor.
We liaise with the other surveyor, review the relevant works and deal with the preparation and agreement of the Award.
£699 + VAT
Fixed fee for a standard residential first Award, including our standard Schedule of Condition service where access and the agreed inspection scope permit. The other surveyor’s reasonable fees are additional and independently determined.
You’ve received a Party Wall Notice.
Where the statutory dispute procedure applies, you may choose to appoint your own independent Party Wall Surveyor.
We can review the relevant works, liaise with the Building Owner’s surveyor and deal with the Award process.
Usually paid by the Building Owner
In many ordinary projects carried out solely for the Building Owner’s benefit, the Building Owner pays the reasonable statutory surveyor costs.
In the two-surveyor procedure, the appointed surveyors also select a Third Surveyor. Formal involvement is relatively uncommon, but the Third Surveyor can determine relevant matters referred by either owner or either appointed surveyor.
Project planning
The Act specifies statutory notice periods, but it does not set a fixed deadline for producing every Party Wall Award.
The time required depends on the proposed works, the availability of drawings, surveyor appointments and any outstanding matters requiring agreement.
Using one impartial surveyor can sometimes be quicker because only one appointed surveyor is involved in preparing the Award.
Where each owner appoints a surveyor, the relevant details, draft Award and any outstanding matters need to be considered between them.
What can cause delays?
We aim to identify the relevant requirements early and keep our appointing owner informed throughout.
Clear fixed fees
Our standard fees are fixed and agreed before we begin the relevant service.
| Service | Our standard fee |
|---|---|
| Agreed Surveyor — first Award, including standard SOC | £799 + VAT |
| Building Owner Surveyor — first Award, including standard SOC | £699 + VAT |
| Each additional Award | £499 + VAT |
| Adjoining Owner Surveyor | Quoted according to the instruction; reasonable statutory fees are commonly paid by the Building Owner where works are solely for their benefit |
Important fee information
Where an Adjoining Owner appoints their own surveyor, that surveyor’s reasonable costs are separate from our Building Owner Surveyor fee. Those fees are independently determined and cannot be included or guaranteed within our fixed quotation.
One Agreed Surveyor
Where both owners agree to appoint one impartial Agreed Surveyor, this can avoid the additional fees associated with separately appointed surveyors.
The statutory process
Yes.
Under Section 10(17) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, either owner may appeal to the county court within the statutory 14-day period beginning on the day the Award is served.
An Award is otherwise generally binding, subject to the applicable legal rules.
Appeals can involve legal costs and strict time limits. Where an owner has concerns about proposed Award provisions, it’s usually preferable to raise them with the appointed surveyor or surveyors before the Award is made.
Anyone considering an appeal should seek appropriate legal advice promptly.
Frequently asked questions
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not necessarily the same. A neighbour may give written consent to notified works without an Award being required. A Party Wall Award is the formal document made by the appointed surveyor or surveyors where a dispute arises under the Act.
The surveyor or surveyors determine the allocation of reasonable statutory costs. Where works are carried out solely for the Building Owner’s benefit, the Building Owner will usually pay the reasonable costs associated with preparing the Award, including the Adjoining Owner’s surveyor’s reasonable fees where applicable.
The notifiable works covered by the statutory dispute should not proceed before the necessary Award and other statutory requirements have been satisfied. Other works outside the relevant statutory procedures may be able to proceed independently, depending on the circumstances.
Where multiple Adjoining Owners are involved, their respective statutory positions need to be considered separately. Separate Awards are commonly prepared for different Adjoining Owners or ownership interests. Our standard additional Award fee is £499 + VAT.
No. The structural design remains the responsibility of the appropriately appointed engineer. The Party Wall surveyor reviews the relevant information as necessary to deal with matters arising under the Act.
The Act provides for relevant obligations concerning damage and compensation. A Schedule of Condition can help identify existing defects and provide a useful reference if concerns arise later. Responsibility and the appropriate remedy depend on the works and circumstances.
Yes, where both owners agree to appoint one impartial Agreed Surveyor. However, an Adjoining Owner is not obliged to accept a surveyor suggested by the Building Owner.
Send us your drawings, Party Wall Notices or the other surveyor’s details. We’ll review the information, explain the appropriate appointment route and confirm our fixed fee for the relevant service.
Prefer to talk? 020 3727 5195
Practical guidance from our Party Wall Surveyors to help you understand the process and your options.
The Party Wall Act
Learn what a Party Wall Award contains and how it provides a framework for notifiable building work.
Read guide: What Is a Party Wall Award and What Does It Cover?The Party Wall Act
When two surveyors are appointed, they select a Third Surveyor. Here is when one is called on, who can refer a matter and who pays.
Read guide: What Is a Third Surveyor and When Do They Get Involved?
Costs & Surveyors
Understand who normally pays Party Wall fees and why the costs depend on the works and surveyor appointments.
Read guide: Who Pays Party Wall Surveyor Fees?