Creating your own party wall notices may seem like an obvious way to save money on your project, but it can actually lead to higher costs in the long run. If your neighbour receives a notice that looks like it was pulled from the internet, or made by your builder, or with mistakes, they may become concerned and may be more likely to contact a surveyor for advice. The surveyor may advise that they should dissent to the notice and appoint them, especially when you are reasonable for their fees.
On the other hand, when a professionally prepared notice from an accreditedParty Wall Surveyor is received, your neighbor is more likely to respond woth consent or consent to the appointment of an agreed surveyor. This way, you only pay one set of fees instead of two.
In fact, over 80% of the notices we see that were prepared by property owners or their builders are invalid. Drafting a valid notice requires a mix of legal and technical expertise that most homeowners don't have. If the notice is found to be invalid, typically when the neighbour's surveyor reviews it, it must be re-served. This not only increases the costs but also causes delays to the start of the work.
Involving a surveyor early in the process can make things go smoother and save you money in other ways too. Often, all your neighbour wants is reassurance that any damage caused will be properly identified and repaired. When we prepare notices, we also recommend including a detailed schedule of condition with supporting photos. This improves the chances of receiving consent and protects you from false damage claims, while keeping costs low.
We also have the expertise to suggest minor design changes that won’t affect the quality of your project but can make construction easier and ensure you have the access you need while reducingrisk to neighbours. If the property is divided into flats, we’re experienced in managing the notice process to get the most cost-effective result.
Most surveyors charge a minimal fee for preparing party wall notices, as it’s a task they handle quickly and efficiently. We offer a competitve flat fee per adjoining owner, and we can usually get them done within a day or two.
We recommend keeping your neighbors informed as early as possible, ideally when planning drawings are ready. Neighbours who feel engagued are more likely to consent. When the time comes, they’ll appreciate knowing that a specialist Party Wall Surveyor is serving the notice.
Contact us if you would like us to review your plans and prepare your notices.
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