Our neighbours are starting a basement excavation and they've served us a party wall notice. They've appointed their own surveyor and suggested we use the same one to "keep costs down."
Everything I've read says I should appoint my own independent surveyor. But they're making it sound like I'm being difficult and awkward.
What's the reality here? Can one surveyor genuinely represent both parties fairly? What's a reasonable fee for a party wall award these days?
You absolutely need your own surveyor. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is very clear on this — one surveyor can act for both parties only if both owners agree in writing. And even then, they're required to be impartial, which is much harder in practice.
Your neighbour is trying to save themselves money by making you share their surveyor. Don't agree to it. A fair fee for a party wall award is £800-1,200 per party.
I made this mistake. Used the neighbour's "recommended" surveyor who turned out to be their mate from the golf club. The award was a joke — no proper schedule of condition, vague wording on access rights, and when cracks appeared later we had no comeback.
Get your own. It's not being difficult, it's protecting your property.
Thanks for the reality check. I've told them we'll appoint our own and they've gone quiet. Found a local chartered surveyor who specialises in party wall — £950 plus VAT. Seems reasonable.
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