If you’re planning building works that involve a shared wall or boundary, one of the most common questions is: who pays for the Party Wall surveyor? The answer depends on whether you are the building owner (doing the work) or the adjoining owner (whose property might be affected). In most cases the building owner covers the cost—but it’s worth knowing all the details so you’re not caught out.

Building Owner: typically pays for everything

Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, when a building owner serves valid Party Wall notices, they are generally responsible for paying the costs associated with the process for both sides. This means:

• Notices served and the administrative costs of preparing them
• The adjoining owner’s appointed surveyor’s reasonable fees
• Where the building owner and adjoining owner agree, the cost of an agreed surveyor or a third surveyor
• Schedule of Condition reports and other protection measures

So if you’re the one doing the work, you should budget for these costs. At Christopher Anthony Surveyors we offer fixed-fee Party Wall Awards from £699 + VAT per award, a Schedule of Condition from £350 + VAT, and notice packages from £50 total (plus Land Registry searches at £7 per title). These fees cover the building owner’s responsibilities and help avoid unexpected costs.

Adjoining Owner: what you should know

If you receive a Party Wall notice as an adjoining owner (your neighbour is building), you have the right to appoint your own surveyor. Although the building owner normally pays, that doesn’t mean your surveyor can charge unlimited fees. The cost must be reasonable.

Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Your surveyor must act in your interest and be experienced in Party Wall matters
• You should ask for a fee estimate in advance
• If you choose not to appoint your own surveyor (and both sides consent), you may allow an agreed surveyor and still be protected
• If the building owner fails to serve notices properly or the process is delayed, your costs may increase

At Christopher Anthony Surveyors, we help both building owners and adjoining owners. If you’re an adjoining owner, we’ll explain costs clearly upfront. We often act as agreed surveyor where both parties consent, which keeps costs lower and the process quicker.

What can affect costs?

Several factors influence how much the Party Wall process will cost:

• Number of adjoining owners involved
• Whether they consent or dissent to the notice
• Complexity of the proposed works (loft conversion, basement underpinning, deep excavations)
• Whether only one surveyor is appointed (agreed) or two independent surveyors
• Whether a schedule of condition is needed (which is highly recommended)
• Location of the property (central London vs suburbs) and accessibility

If a neighbour dissents, additional steps and negotiations may increase time and cost. Clear communication early on helps reduce delays and unexpected fees.

Simple example

Imagine you’re the building owner in London planning a side extension with two neighbours:

• Notice service & admin: £50
• Land Registry searches: 3 titles × £7 = £21
• Neighbour 1 consents → you agree a schedule of condition: £350 + VAT
• Neighbour 2 dissents → you appoint us as your surveyor for them: £699 + VAT
  Total fee (excluding VAT & disbursements): £1,120 + disbursements

This shows how cost depends on neighbour responses and how the building owner carries the main responsibility.

Summary: who pays?

• Building owner = pays for notices, adjoining owner’s surveyor, schedule of condition, awards
• Adjoining owner = may appoint surveyor (cost borne by building owner) but should ensure fees are reasonable
• Clear upfront fees and process reduce risk of disputes

At Christopher Anthony Surveyors we aim to keep everything simple and transparent. If you’re planning works and want clarity about costs, we offer a free initial call and an online quote tool to estimate your fees instantly.

Need Professional Advice?

Contact Christopher Anthony Surveyors for clear advice and professional support.
Get in touch with us or read more about our Party Wall Surveying Services.

Areas We Cover
Christopher Anthony Surveyors provide professional Party Wall Surveyor services across London and the surrounding areas, including Hackney, Islington, Camden, Haringey, North London, East London, South London, West London, Bexley, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and Kent.

Our coverage also extends to Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Enfield, Barnet, Southwark, Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth, Merton, Kingston upon Thames, Ealing, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Richmond upon Thames, and Sutton.

We continue to expand our reach — explore your local area page to learn more about Party Wall services near you.