How Long Does a Party Wall Survey Take?

How Long Does A Party Wall Survey Take?

Stage 1: Serving the Party Wall Notice (14 Days)

The first stage in the Party Wall process is serving the Party Wall Notice. Once you’ve served a notice to your neighbour, they have 14 days to respond. During this period, they can either consent to the works, which allows you to proceed without further action, or dissent, which triggers the need for a surveyor.

If you’re unsure about how to serve a notice or need help drafting one, check out our guide on How to Appoint a Party Wall Surveyor, or let Surv Essex take care of it—our fees for serving a notice start at £50.

Stage 2: Appointing a Surveyor (3 to 5 Days)

If your neighbour dissents to the works, the next step is appointing a surveyor. You can either have an Agreed Surveyor act for both parties, or each party can appoint their own surveyor. This appointment process usually takes 3 to 5 days, depending on how quickly you and your neighbour come to a decision.

Surv Essex can act as an Agreed Surveyor or your individual surveyor for just £550. This helps make the process smooth and ensures both parties are fairly represented.

Stage 3: Surveyor’s Assessment and Drafting the Award (1 to 3 Weeks)

After appointing a surveyor, they will carry out an assessment of the proposed work. The surveyor’s role is to assess the impact on the party wall and to ensure both parties’ properties are protected. The surveyor will often carry out an inspection of the site to take photographic records of the condition of both properties.

After this assessment, the surveyor drafts a Party Wall Award. This award outlines the work being proposed, the timeframes, and any steps that need to be taken to protect the adjoining property. Drafting the award can take between 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the complexity of the work involved.

Need more details on what the Party Wall Award involves? Check out our comprehensive guide on What Does a Party Wall Surveyor Do.

Stage 4: Finalising the Award (Additional 1 to 2 Weeks If Separate Surveyors Are Involved)

If both owners have appointed separate surveyors, those surveyors will work together to agree on the final Party Wall Award. This can take an additional 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the issues being resolved and the level of agreement between surveyors. In most cases, an Agreed Surveyor acting for both parties can significantly reduce this timeframe.

Total Timeline: 4 to 8 Weeks

In most situations, a Party Wall Survey will take between 4 to 8 weeks from start to finish. The timeline can be shorter if you and your neighbour are cooperative, or longer if there are disputes or complex issues involved.

Factors Affecting the Timeline

Several factors can influence how long a Party Wall Survey takes:

• Neighbours’ Response Time: The speed of your neighbour’s response to the Party Wall Notice is crucial. If they take the full 14 days to respond or need extra reminders, this will delay the process.
• Complexity of Work: More complex projects, like excavations or structural modifications, may require a more in-depth assessment, which can extend the timeline.
• Number of Surveyors Involved: If each owner appoints their own surveyor, the process can take longer compared to using an Agreed Surveyor. You can learn more about appointing surveyors in our How to Appoint a Party Wall Surveyor guide.

Speeding Up the Process with Surv Essex

At Surv Essex, we aim to make the Party Wall process as efficient as possible. Here’s why working with us can help keep things moving:

• Fast Response Times: We understand that time is of the essence. We act quickly to assess the work and issue notices, so you can keep your project on track.
• Experienced Team: With over a decade of experience, our surveyors are familiar with Party Wall matters and know how to resolve disputes quickly and effectively.
• Local Knowledge: Working across Essex and the South East, our local experience means we’re well-versed in the nuances of different councils and can streamline the approval process.

Additional Considerations

• Loft Conversions and Extensions: These types of work are particularly common and often involve Party Wall matters. If you’re planning a loft conversion, check out our page on Loft Conversion Plans to get a clearer idea of the potential timeframes and requirements.
• Neighbours’ Consent: Keeping good relationships with your neighbours can significantly reduce the time needed to complete the Party Wall process. Discuss your plans with them ahead of time to avoid any surprises and reduce the chances of dissent.

When to Start the Party Wall Process

Ideally, you should start the Party Wall process as soon as you have your initial plans and well before you intend to begin building. This ensures that any delays with neighbours or other issues can be resolved without putting your entire project on hold.

Want to Get Started?

At Surv Essex, we’re here to help. If you need assistance serving notices or appointing a Party Wall Surveyor, we’re ready to guide you through every step. Our competitive fees make the process stress-free and budget-friendly.

Reach out to us via our Contact Page or give us a call to get started.