Enclosure Cost (Making Use) Calculator
We’ve dug deep to collate and combine construction costs taken from party wall surveying and construction jobs our RICS Building Surveyors have been involved in over the past 36 months.
We’ve also conducting our own research, speaking with contractors, from small to large and have used our findings to provide you with another industry first Party Wall Enclosure Cost Calculator.
Simply Enter the information below and we’ll give you a free enclosure cost calculation.
Please note, this is intended for guide purposes only and should not be considered as advice, nor should it be used to form part of any neighbourly agreement or party wall award.
Loft Extension Enclosure
 A loft extension enclosure usually means that the adjoining owner has built their own loft conversion and in the process has raised the party parapet wall as part of their dormer.
This has the benefit of allowing the building owner to build directly off this wall, resulting in a larger (wider) loft room, a more straightforward build and overall a more cost effective one.
We’ve annotated a typical example of a party parapet wall that will be subject to an enclosure cost/making use payment when the building owner does come to enclose and build off it in the future.
Loft Enclosure Cost Calculator
Extension Enclosure
A ground floor extension enclosure usually means that the adjoining owner has built the flank wall of their ground floor extension astride the boundary line or half on their land, half on yours.
This has the benefit of allowing the building owner to build directly off this wall, resulting in a larger (wider) extension, a more straightforward build and overall a more cost effective one.
We’ve annotated a typical example of a party wall built astride the boundary line that will be subject to an enclosure cost/making use payment when the building owner does come to enclose and build off it in the future.
Extension Enclosure Cost Calculator
What is Making Use?
Making Use applies when the building owner gains the benefit of a party wall that the adjoining owner built at some point in the past.
It is formally dealt with under Section 11(11) of the Party Wall etc Act 1996:
Where use is subsequently made by the adjoining owner of work carried out solely at the expense of the building owner the adjoining owner shall pay a due proportion of the expenses incurred by the building owner in carrying out that work; and for this purpose he shall be taken to have incurred expenses calculated by reference to what the cost of the work would be if it were carried out at the time when that subsequent use is made.
Simply put, this means that the building owner will be required to reimburse the adjoining owner for the use of wall that they are now gaining the benefit of.
The benefit being that they don’t need to construct the wall which they are enclosing upon.
By not having to construct the wall, they will need to reimburse the adjoining owner for 50% of its current day cost of construction.
What Goes into a Making Use cost?
The cost that the building owner pays the adjoining owner will be made up of the expenses required to build the wall being enclosed upon. These include, however are not limited to:
Excavations/Digging
These would allow for the wall’s foundation, our calculator allows for conventional mass concrete foundations at a depth of 1 metre. This would only apply for extensions taking place on the ground floor level.Â
Removal from Site
The excavations which allow for the foundation to be poured will result in the need for the earth/soil to be removed from site. This would only apply for extensions taking place on the ground floor level.Â
Concrete Foundations
The foundations supporting the wall will require concrete to comply with Building Regulations Requirements. This would only apply for extensions taking place on the ground floor level.Â
Bricks or Blocks
The wall will be built of blocks or bricks. The material cost of these at the prevailing rate will be accounted for.
Labour Construction Costs
The labour cost of the wall will need to be accounted for. This would included all elements of the wall’s construction.
Insulation
The wall will require insulation to ensure it is not only thermally efficient, however also complies with Building Regulations Requirements.
Wall Tiles
Wall ties hold both the inner and outer leaves or walls of the cavity wall together and are required to comply with Building Regulations Requirements. This would only apply for extensions taking place on the ground floor level.Â
Damp Proof Course
A DPC or Damp Proof Course ensures that rainwater doesn’t penetrate the internal parts of the wall and building. It will be set a minimum of 150mm above the walls’ ground level.
Professional Fees
These would include all of the associated fees that would be required to obtain permission to build the wall.
VAT
VAT or Value Added Tax will be payable upon the materials and labour at the prevailing rate at the time of construction.
Location Rates
The cost of construction can widely vary depending upon where the property is located within the country. This will need to be accounted for. Our calculator doesn’t take this into account.
Making Use is a Saving Not a Cost!
Above all else, we’d advise that making use is looked at as a saving as opposed to a cost!
In having the party wall that is being enclosed upon in situ, the building owner will only ever need to pay for 50% of it as opposed to 100%.
They will therefore not only end up with a slightly wider extension, they will also end up with a more time and cost effective one.
This is an important consideration to bear in mind. If the wall wasn’t in situ the overall build cost would be higher as would the duration of construction.
Here are some Party Wall Surveying projects we've done in the past:
Rutland Mews South, Knightsbridge, SW7
The Stokemont team were very pleased to be able assist with the completion of a Party Wall Surveying Schedule of Condition Report for a stunning mews house located on Rutland Mews South, Knightsbridge, SW7. The neighbouring works included a single storey basement conversion and extension on Rutland Street.
 Timeline: 27 days
High Street Kensington, London, W8
The Stokemont team were very pleased to be able assist with the completion of a Party Wall Award for this mid level flat located on High Street Kensington, London. The construction works included the removal of internal structural walls, the introduction of new steel support and the replacement of floors and ceilings.
 Timeline: 12 days
St Stephen's Terrace, Stockwell, SW8
The Stokemont team were very pleased to be able assist with the service of Party Wall Notices, a Schedule of Condition Report and Agreement of a Party Wall Award on this mid terraced turn of the century home on St Stephen's Terrace, Stockwell. The Party Wall works included the installation of steel work into the Party Wall and relocation of internal walls.
 Timeline: 22 days
Why Choose Stokemont as Your London Party Wall Surveyor
We are an experienced and qualified team of party wall surveyors, accredited by all of the world’s leading governing bodies as you will see below. We put our clients first, and our surveying services are driven by respect for our clients, passion for our work, integrity in everything that we do and ethics in the approach to all aspects of our business.
Team Qualifications
Our team of Surveyors are not only highly experienced but importantly they are also qualified.
We’re proud to confirm our Surveyors hold membership status and accreditation to some of the world’s leading professional governing bodies including; the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) and the Pyramus and Thisbe Club (P&T).
Surveyor Testimonials
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