Pick me!! - How to choose a Party Wall Surveyor
Agreed Surveyor? What’s that?
How to choose a Party Wall Surveyor
Whatever construction work you are undertaking, you have thought long and hard about it and employed professionals to think long and hard about it too … because it’s going to be permanent. The Party Wall Surveyor will have definite impact on your project, budget and neighbourly relationships.
How would you choose a Party Wall Surveyor? Would you;
A. Google “Party Wall Surveyor near me”
B. Ask a neighbour, friend or colleague who they used.
C. Check a “Local Services & Professionals” website.
These are all good starting points, but there are a few more factors to think about when making your decision.
A Party Wall Surveyor is a permanent fixture
Fact! - The Act states (Section 10:2), that once you have appointed a Party Wall Surveyor you can’t revoke the appointment. To quote:
“All appointments and selections made under this section shall be in writing and shall not be rescinded by either party.”
As it is a permanent appointment, it is important to make sure you get it right.
Anyone can be a Party Wall Surveyor
Fact! - The only qualification The Act specifies is:
“any person not being a party to the matter”
Theoretically then, anyone apart from the building owner can be Party Wall Surveyor.
Costs
There are a plethora of “surveyors” who will promise to complete a party wall awards for a couple of hundred pounds. On the other end of the spectrum there are some surveyors that will charge thousands.
Remember! - Low costs don’t always mean value for money and high costs don’t guarantee expertise.
A good way to discern if the surveyor is interested in you or your money is to listen to them. Do they aggressively look for reasons to dispute with your neighbours? All disputes take time to resolve and ‘time is money’ … your money!
What is a reasonable fee? This depends on the complexity of your project. If your project involves multiple neighbours, complex construction techniques and a higher risk of damage to your neighbours’ properties the project costs will increase.
Be aware that a Party Wall matter handled badly can result in huge fees; County Courts judgements; destroyed neighbour relations; and tremendous stress. As we mentioned a solid Party Wall Award needs to be prepared by a professional with experience and strong qualifications, this will cost money but it should be reasonable.
You will find plenty of people online claiming to be a Party Wall Surveyors. What can help you decide? Seven steps
Professional Bodies
There are three main bodies that provide regulation to Party Wall Surveyors;
By selecting a surveyor regulated by one of these bodies you are have more confidence they understand The Act, have guidance on best practice and rules of professional conduct. You also have a course of complaint if your project is not conducted ethically.
Experience
Your surveyor must ensure all properties are protected during construction. This means they need to have a well-rounded knowledge of architectural design and construction methodology. By sending your drawings and chatting through your project with your Surveyor you should get a good idea of their understanding and experience.
Reputation
This is a priceless opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. Take a minute to read Google Reviews on the Surveyors you are considering. Look for a surveyor that has carved a reputation for the factors important to you and your project. That might be someone who is quick, efficient, honest, helpful, good value for money. Ensure the reviews are recent and consistent.
Process
Talk to your Surveyor. Ask about their process. A good example of something to check is when they will ask you to appoint them.
Many surveyors will have you sign a Letter of Appointment before serving notice. This means no matter how your neighbours respond to the Notice, you must use them as a surveyor.
It’s understandable why they do this as a lot of work is required even before Notice is served. If your neighbour elects to appoint another Surveyor it means they would lose potential fees. However, a good surveyor will have your best interests at heart and promote the Agreed Surveyor route. This has the potential to save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Choose a surveyor that only has you sign a Letter of Appointment when it is in your best interests to do so.
Timeline
You might find a Surveyor you are comfortable with, but it is advisable to tell them about any project milestones you have, particularly if you already have a start date for your builder. This will greatly impact when Notice needs to be served. Check that your surveyor can meet those dates. Much will depend on your neighbour’s response but if your surveyor has a long lead time or their office is due to be closed for vacation this will impact you. If you have a builder lined up, have found out about the Party Wall Act late in your project or are otherwise on the backfoot it’s worth checking their predicted timelines.
Time for You!
Then comes the question of whether they have time for you! If they never answer the phone, don’t have time to talk through your project or explain the party wall process to you it’s not a great sign. Time is money, it’s true, but you are the client so make sure they have time to answer your queries and concerns.
Be ware of the “Ambulance Chasers”
Some Party Wall Surveyors watch planning portals, looking for projects and will cold call you directly to tell you need a Party Wall Award. It can be an alarming way to find out about the Party Wall Act. Do your homework before being scared into appointing someone.
