Clear, impartial party wall advice for work near a shared boundary
Planning an extension, loft conversion or excavation close to a neighbour's property? We guide homeowners, builders and adjoining owners through the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 — so your project stays lawful, on schedule and dispute-free.
- Strictly impartial
- Party Wall Act 1996 specialists
- Prompt, no-delay service
Does the Act apply to your project?
You may need to serve notice if your work involves any of the following:
- Cutting into or altering a shared party wall
- Building a new wall on or up to the boundary line
- Excavating within 3–6 metres of a neighbour's foundations
- Loft conversions, chimney removal or inserting steel beams
Party wall services, handled properly from start to finish
Every appointment is tailored to your project. Whether you are the building owner planning the work or an adjoining owner protecting your home, we deliver practical, plain-English guidance grounded in the Act.
Party Wall Notices
We draft and serve valid notices to adjoining owners on your behalf, giving the correct notice period and reducing the risk of avoidable delays or invalid submissions.
Schedules of Condition
A detailed photographic and written record of a neighbour's property before work begins — your baseline evidence should any dispute over damage arise later.
Party Wall Awards
We prepare the Award setting out how and when work is carried out, access arrangements and protections for the adjoining owner, keeping everyone clear on their rights.
Excavation & Foundations
Advice on excavation works within three or six metres of a neighbouring structure, where new foundations sit below theirs and notice under the Act is required.
Retaining Wall Disputes
Specialist support where retaining walls, boundary walls and ground levels are in question — from assessment through to resolving disagreements between neighbours.
Dispute Resolution
Acting as agreed surveyor or appointing on your behalf, we resolve damage claims, access and fee disagreements fairly, keeping costly litigation as a last resort.
The reassurance of a surveyor who does this properly
Party wall matters can feel daunting. Our job is to take the pressure off — with fair, professional advice that keeps your project moving and everyone treated equitably.
Genuinely impartial
Our duty is to the Party Wall Act — not to whoever appointed us. We assess the work objectively and protect the interests of both building and adjoining owners.
Deep specialist experience
We work with the 1996 Act every day. That focus means fewer errors, valid notices first time, and awards that hold up when they matter most.
Open communication
We keep every party informed at each stage. Clear updates prevent misunderstandings and help preserve good relationships between neighbours.
No wasted time
Our streamlined process is built to avoid the delays that so often stall projects — so your build can start on schedule.
Fair, transparent fees
Costs are tailored to the size and complexity of your project and agreed up front, so there are no surprises when the work is done.
A personal service
You deal with people who know your case, not a call centre. We build long-term relationships rather than treating every job the same.
A UK team dedicated to getting party wall matters right
Jason Edworthy Party Wall Surveyors is a UK-based practice acting for homeowners, developers and adjoining owners across England and Wales. We combine detailed knowledge of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 with a straightforward, personable approach — translating a complex piece of legislation into clear steps you can actually follow.
Check if the Act applies
We confirm whether your project affects a party wall, boundary or excavation and requires notice.
Serve the party wall notice
The correct notice is prepared and served on the affected neighbour, with the proper notice period.
Agree or appoint a surveyor
If a neighbour dissents or does not respond within 14 days, surveyors are appointed to act impartially.
Prepare the Party Wall Award
We record a schedule of condition and set out how, when and under what protections the work proceeds.
- Impartial statutory role
- Clear fixed expectations
- Prompt enquiry responses
- Guidance in plain English
Party wall questions, answered plainly
A few of the questions homeowners ask us most often. For the full list — including timings, remote working and consultations — see our complete FAQ.
How do I know if the Party Wall Act applies to my work?
The Act generally applies if you are cutting into or altering a shared wall, building a new wall on or up to the boundary line, or excavating near a neighbour's foundations. If your project involves any of these, you will usually need to serve notice before work begins.
What is a party wall notice and when must I serve it?
It is a formal written notice telling your neighbour about the planned work. As the building owner you must serve it in advance — typically one to two months before work starts — so the adjoining owner has time to respond.
What happens if my neighbour does not agree?
If a neighbour dissents, or does not respond within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen and surveyors are appointed. They act impartially to produce a Party Wall Award that protects both parties.
What is a schedule of condition?
It is a documented record — photographs and written notes — of the adjoining property's condition before work starts. It provides a clear baseline so that any later claim of damage can be assessed fairly.
Who pays the surveyor's fees?
Because the building owner requests the work, they are usually responsible for the reasonable fees of the surveyors involved. Agreeing fees early and appointing an experienced surveyor greatly reduces the risk of a cost dispute.
What if damage occurs during the works?
The schedule of condition is used to establish what is new. Where the surveyor finds the work caused the damage, the building owner is typically responsible for repairing it or covering the cost. Litigation is only ever a last resort.
Planning work near a party wall or boundary? Let's talk it through.
Tell us about your project and we'll explain whether the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies, what notices are needed and the clearest route forward. Initial enquiries are welcome and answered quickly.
Coverage
England & Wales, UK
Response
Enquiries answered promptly
Enquiries
Via our online contact form