When it comes to hiring a party wall surveyor, you have to consider that there are costs which are associated with the action.
Understanding how much you have to pay, the way costs are worked out, and the overall process is vital for making sure that you begin to make modifications to the party wall in such a manner that makes sure everything has been considered and you have a full knowledge of what to expect. With that being said, let’s take a look at what you need to know.
Typical Party Wall Surveyor Costs
Let’s start by establishing the basic kinds of costs that you might be expected to pay if you’re going to go in for a typical party wall surveyor,
Now the general practice is to charge an hourly rate, one which can fluctuate depending on several criteria. You should expect to pay anywhere from £100 to £350 + VAT.
This may seem like a lot but don’t worry. The rate doesn’t apply to menial and lower-skilled tasks like the admin, so in that respect, you’re going to be okay.
Party Wall Surveyor Fees
What you will tend to find is that when it comes to the fees which need to be paid by the party wall surveyor, the building owner decides the fees for their counterpart, assuming you have hired a different professional to represent you during the process.
It will be down to your own party wall surveyor to establish what is a “reasonable” cost. It is important to note that this can and often will fluctuate.
There are a number of different things which need to be considered when it comes to calculating the fees for a party wall surveyor.
The first consideration is the travel distance that the party wall surveyor has to go in order to get from their office to the site. These types of costs are often restricted at 45 minutes as a maximum, in order to make sure that the fees are not extortionate.
The second big consideration is the draft award and schedule of conditions submitted by the building owner’s party wall surveyor. The more prepared that these documents are, the last time that the opposing party wall surveyor will have to spend checking it, and so the lower the fees will be.
Other additional factors will include the drawings which have been submitted by the design team, and also the complexity of the work.
Final Thoughts
So, in conclusion, there are many different costs which will come with hiring a party wall surveyor. Owing to the unique circumstances surrounding each of the party wall disputes, it is impossible to provide an exact cost. It is often worth noting that a third impartial surveyor is often introduced when a dispute over fees occurs. Unfortunately, this can be a common issue, so it is potentially worth planning for the inclusion of a third-party who will require their own fees.
Still need some advice! We get it, it can be a confusing process! Give us a call now, we are happy to assist and help.
