We also have a YouTube Short on this topic.
While it may seem cost-effective to draft your own party wall notice, doing so often leads to unnecessary complications, added expenses, and project delays.
Notices found online or supplied by contractors or architects, frequently lack the technical and legal accuracy required under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
That’s not to say these notices can’t be completed correctly, but in our experience, the vast majority of DIY notices we’ve seen over the years have turned out to be invalid.
Keep in mind that incorrect or invalid notices must be reissued, setting your project back and potentially increasing costs. They can also undermine the confidence of your neighbour (the adjoining owner), giving the impression that their property and the legal process, isn’t being given the respect it deserves.
By contrast, a properly drafted notice from an experienced Party Wall Surveyor builds trust and demonstrates that the process is being professionally managed. It also gives your neighbour a clear point of contact if they have questions about the Act, the process, or your proposed works.
If your notice doesn’t provide this reassurance, they are more likely to seek their own advice, often by appointing their own surveyor. That’s a cost you would be responsible for covering.
A well-managed approach can often lead to a much simpler outcome: either your neighbour consents to the work, or agrees to use the same surveyor, helping you avoid the cost of dual appointments.
As part of our service at Stokemont, we offer a fixed-fee notice service. We’re highly responsive and can often serve notices the same day.
While we also provide a free online party wall notice creator, we only recommend using this if your relationship with your neighbour is strong, they’re fully informed about the works, and most importantly you’ve already discussed it and know they intend to consent.
To get a fixed-fee quote and find out exactly which neighbours require a notice, try our instant party wall quote tool.
