We are a dedicated party wall consultancy covering the South Wales, the M4 corridor, London, Kent and the South East. We are a firm regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
A “party wall” is a shared wall, normally between semi-detached or terraced properties, and which divide the homes of separate property owners.
In England and Wales, works to party walls, boundary walls and excavations close to neighbouring buildings are governed by the Party Wall etc Act 1996 and may require notices to be served on neighbouring properties. Commonly, domestic extensions, works involving removing internal walls would all be covered by the Act (click the link above or the image of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 to the right to read the legislation).
The primary parties under the Act are the Building Owner and the Adjoining Owner. The Building Owner is the person proposing to undertake works to their property, whereas the Adjoining Owner is any person who’s property will be affected by the works.
Party wall notices are required to be given under Sections 1 (Line of Junction), 3 (Party Structures) and 6 (Adjacent excavation and construction) of the Act. If the proposed works fall within the Act, the Building Owner must notify the Adjoining Owner of the nature of the works and the proposed start date. The Act defines the length of the required notice period in Sections 1, 3 and 6 of the Act.
A party wall award is required where a dispute has arisen between the parties under the Act, and contains the agreed terms and the conditions of which works are undertaken. The award is agreed either by one surveyor (an Agreed Surveyor) or by two surveyors appointed by the parties.
Excel Party Wall Surveyors are appointed by both domestic and commercial property owners. We offer an initial appraisal and consultation, issue notices as required and negotiate with other surveyors / homeowners through to the completion of party wall awards.
Chris is a highly experienced Chartered Building Surveyor, Chartered Construction Manager, Project Manager and Party Wall Surveyor with over 30 years’ industry experience within the commercial, industrial, domestic and high-end residential sectors. Chris has extensive knowledge of building defects and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, having worked in specialist nationwide practices specialising in party wall matters, and has advised on multiple party wall related projects including domestic extensions, complex central London basement project, city based demolition works and office refurbishments. Chris holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Building Surveying, is legally qualified and is an expert in a range of Building Surveying, Housing Disrepair and party wall matters. Chris is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) and a member of both the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (MFWPS) and Pyramus and Thisbe Society (MPTS). Chris is regularly instructed by solicitors to act as an Expert Witness in relation to construction defect claims.
Stephen is a highly experienced Quantity Surveyor and Chartered Construction Manager with a background in the UK water, wastewater, renewable energy (energy from waste), high-end residential, private residential and affordable housing sectors. Stephen shares his time between party wall surveying, where he regularly accepts party wall appointments, and quantity surveying, where he provides clients with contractual and project commercial support as well as undertaking appointments as an Employer’s Agent or Contract Administrator. Stephen is Chartered Construction Manager with the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), a member of Prime Dispute (MPD) and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb).
