Stokemont Chartered Surveyors
Party Wall Surveyors in St Albans
If you’re in the thick of a dispute with your neighbour over some controversial building work, then you need one of St Albans based party wall surveyors. With the help of one of our friendly and effective party wall surveyors, we can guarantee that your disagreement will come to an amicable end.
In this piece, we will give you a lowdown on what a party wall surveyor is, what they do, and the myriad ways in which they can help. We are one of the UK’s leading chartered surveyors, putting us in the perfect position to explain to you how our process works.
What is a party wall surveyor?
A party wall surveyor is a qualified expert who is on hand to help homeowners when a proposed construction project impacts a shared wall or boundary with a neighbour. This typically applies to projects like home extensions, loft conversions, or excavation near adjacent properties.
Their work is guided by the Party Wall Act of 1996, which outlines that anyone planning such work must notify their neighbours beforehand. This formal notification is known as a party wall notice.
If the neighbour consents, the work can move forward without issue. However, if there’s a disagreement or the neighbour requests additional safeguards, a party wall surveyor becomes essential. They offer an unbiased and professional assessment, relying on their deep understanding of the Party Wall Act to make the right judgement.
Should the surveyor determine the work is permissible, they will issue a party wall award. This legally authorises the work to proceed and clearly sets out the conditions under which it must be carried out.
Want to know more about our range of services? Below are some of the specialist areas that our selection of St Albans surveying professionals can help you in:
Party Wall Surveying
Boundary Surveying
Licence for Alterations
Access Licences
RICS HomeBuyer Reports
Schedules of Condition
Defect Analysis
Snagging List Report
Property Valuation
Commercial Dilapidations
Rent Reviews & Lease Renewals
Purchase & Acquisition
If you want to speak to a qualified surveying professional about any of the above services, please get in touch.
How will our party wall surveyors in St Albans help you?
With our tried-and-tested surveying process, we help ensure your project runs smoothly and remains compliant with all legal obligations, allowing you to focus on bringing your vision to life without distractions.
We start by thoroughly reviewing your proposed works, carefully considering how they might affect neighbouring properties. This involves examining architectural drawings, structural plans, and any potential impact on adjoining buildings. Taking this proactive approach helps us identify and resolve possible issues before they develop into major problems.
Next, our surveyors will conduct an on-site inspection to assess the specific conditions of the property and its surroundings. Based on this comprehensive evaluation, we can confidently determine the work’s impact. If everything aligns with the legal requirements, we’ll issue a party wall award – a binding document that guarantees full compliance with the Party Wall Act.
When should you hire a party wall surveying company in St Albans?
If your building plans involve a shared wall or are within six metres of a neighbouring property, it’s wise to engage a party wall surveyor in St Albans. Here are some scenarios where we’d recommend you get in touch with our party wall surveyors.
- When Neighbours Don’t Respond to a Party Wall Notice – If you serve a party wall notice and your neighbours fail to reply within 14 days, this is legally treated as a dispute. At that stage, a party wall surveyor must step in to assess the situation objectively. They’ll document any structural risks to nearby buildings and, if the proposed work complies with the law, issue a party wall award. This decision stands regardless of your neighbour’s lack of response.
- If you’re Unsure Whether Your Work Falls Under the Party Wall Act – Many property owners are uncertain if their building plans require formal notice under the Act – especially when the work is close to a boundary but doesn’t directly affect the neighbour’s property. A party wall surveyor can review your plans and advise whether a notice is necessary, helping you stay compliant and avoid costly project delays.
- To Prevent Legal Disputes with Neighbours – Construction projects near or on shared boundaries can easily strain relationships with neighbours. A party wall surveyor helps defuse potential conflicts before they escalate by ensuring all legal requirements are met from the outset. They manage the necessary notices, formalise agreements in a legally compliant manner, and make sure the work adheres to the Party Wall Act 1996 – often stopping disagreements before they start.
If you need professional advice or an inspection, feel free to call us at 020 8016 5700 or easily request a quote through our website.
FC Marylebone Football Club
With our head office based off Baker Street in Marylebone, we consider ourselves London locals! We’re very proud and privileged to sponsor our local football club FC Marylebone which is an FA Charted Standard and Active Westminster Mark Awarded Club.
Like FC Marylebone our team of Surveyors share a great deal of core values; discipline, hard work, dedication and teamwork. We pledge to ensure these values form the basis of all of our Property Surveying Services.
We’re incredibly proud to be a part of this passionate and successful football club!
How much does a surveyor in St Albans cost?
Surveying costs vary based on the service you require. Here are some of the services that we offer:
For a party wall notice you will have to pay £39 plus VAT. This is the initial formal document notifying your neighbour of the planned works, required to begin the legal process under the Party Wall Act 1996.
A schedule of condition costs £395 plus VAT. This service includes a detailed property inspection and photographic record of your neighbour’s property before construction starts. It provides vital evidence should any disputes arise.
A full party wall award costs £700 plus VAT. This comprehensive package covers the surveyor’s full review, site inspection, and preparation of the legally binding party wall award. It ensures everything is compliant and both parties’ interests are protected.
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).
Typical St Albans party wall surveying questions & FAQs
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How much does a party wall surveyor in St Albans cost?
Here’s a quick summary of our pricing:
- Party Wall Notice: £39 + VAT
- Schedule of Condition: £395 + VAT
- Party Wall Award: £700 + VAT
If you want more details on our pricing and how much you might expect to pay for party wall surveying services on your St Albans property, please get in touch.
Do I need a party wall surveyor in St Albans?
If your construction plans involve building near or directly on a shared wall, it’s essential to consult a qualified surveyor. Before work can begin, you’re legally obligated to serve formal notice to your neighbours – something a surveyor can expertly handle to ensure compliance and prevent issues.
What else should building owners keep in mind?
They should be aware of the 6-metre rule under the Party Wall Act. If you’re planning any excavation work within 6 metres of a neighbouring property or structure, you must serve a party wall notice before starting any works.
Why should I choose Stokemont as my party wall surveyor in St Albans?
At Stokemont, we’re proud to be among the most trusted names in party wall surveying. Having successfully assisted over 10,000 clients with their property and construction needs, we consistently receive 5-star reviews. Plus, we receive fresh testimonies every 3 days relating to the exceptional and friendly service we offer.