To ask my neighbours for a party wall agreement?

[plantingandpotting]

My neighbours are planning a single story extension at the back of their house.

A surveyor has been in touch (touting for business), stating that we should appoint a party wall surveyor for which the neighbours will pay.

Does anyone have experience of this, and is it a necessary expense?

I like my neighbours and don't want to needlessly ask them to spend extra cash on the work...but at the same time, we have a preexisting extension right up against where they'll be digging and I have nightmares about cracks and weak foundations as it is

Thanks in advance, lovely hive mind!

Of course you should. See previous threads on here to see why.

Essential.
our solicitor said it wasn’t required. We beloved him. It was. Neighbours claimed all sorts of damage. They were lying and we could prove it- but we should have had the agreement, would have been much less stressful.

You absolutely should do this, but find someone who is good rather than whichever chancer is trawling planning applications to tout for business.

Yes absolutely 💯 I have one as next door is a building site. And my flat is gonna be meters away from their wall.

Oh wow, that's fairly unanimous then. Thank you.

How do I go about payment etc - shall I find one I think is good and then pass on my neighbour's details?

Exactly!

The first thing which you need to ascertain is whether a party wall agreement is required - are they actually doing work on the wall which is partially part of your boundary? Or simply doing work near it?

There is clear guidance online about whether one is required:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-resolving-disputes-in-relation-to-party-walls/the-party-wall-etc-act-1996-explanatory-booklet

If they are indeed planning to undertake such works, they ought to have informed you formally - it is probably worth having a chat and confirming they and intending to organise a party wall award, highlighting that whilst you are supportive of the works you would like the award plus a supportive schedule of condition to protect both your interests and avoid issues down the line

You can then either use their party wall person or your own - either way they will need to pay

Just to add - what should have happened is you have received a party wall notice from their party wall surveyor to formally inform you of the works - setting out some options for you to select from in writing.

There are typically 4 ish options, from full consent through to dissent plus wishing to appoint your own surveyor - at this point you would tell their surveyor how you want to proceed and they would manage the process for you

You select your own person who you instruct independently and as above any costs, as long as reasonable, are paid for via the neighbours undertaking the works