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Neighbours dormer

52 replies

Vanillacupcake33 · 24/11/2022 19:34

Just looking for some advice from people who's neighbours have got dormers or anyone who has experience of them. My neighbour has informed me they are having a dormer built in the summer. They are the type to cut corners with things and get the cheapest possible jobs done from anyone who will help cheaply or free. They said to me you'll receive a party wall agreement and it needs signing in 14 days. Now I'll sound abit stupid here but I have absolutly no idea about anything building wise and I am the type to say yes to most things without considering any problems that may occur so this is left to my dp. They've basically demanded me allow the extension, told us they will be building into the party wall etc. This is typical of my neighbours who never consider us in any way. They're type to want everything and moan if they don't get it. Now I wouldn't want to stop the conversation but would like to know what we need to consider. We've looked in our loft and the wall doesn't look the best if I'm honest im not even sure it'll hold a dormer. They have said their friend will come out to check the party wall but hes not a surveyor so surley thats not legal is it? If we appointed our own wall surveyor theyd have a fit if they had to pay. I've also read that dormers can cause leaks into the neighbours property is this true? They are quite loud neighbours too so would building a dormer make them louder? What happens if there's damage to our property and also would it devalue our property of a dormer was anchored to our wall? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to gather all info before agreeing to something. If we dont agree i can gurantee they would be even more a pain to live next door to so i need advice on what to look for or research so i can explain what worries us if anything. Thankyou

OP posts:
Yellownotblue · 29/11/2022 19:03

OP you’ve already had lots of good advice. I just wanted to point out that there is nothing wrong with appointing a joint surveyor, ie someone independent who will act for both you and your neighbour.

We’re at the end of a big project, and our neighbours on both sides agreed to joint PWS appointments. We selected a PWS who is excellent and impartial. He has not favoured us at all.

I’m very grateful to our neighbours that they did not insist on each appointing their own surveyors. Of course they would have been within their rights to do so, and we would have paid for it, but really there is no need, provided the joint surveyor is a proper one. They have strict professional conduct rules and cannot take sides.

Barnabyted · 30/11/2022 09:15

Yellownotblue · 29/11/2022 19:03

OP you’ve already had lots of good advice. I just wanted to point out that there is nothing wrong with appointing a joint surveyor, ie someone independent who will act for both you and your neighbour.

We’re at the end of a big project, and our neighbours on both sides agreed to joint PWS appointments. We selected a PWS who is excellent and impartial. He has not favoured us at all.

I’m very grateful to our neighbours that they did not insist on each appointing their own surveyors. Of course they would have been within their rights to do so, and we would have paid for it, but really there is no need, provided the joint surveyor is a proper one. They have strict professional conduct rules and cannot take sides.

Except in the case of the next door neighbour, they want to appoint a friend to act as the party wall surveyor and the OP, doesn’t believe they have any qualifications.
I do agree, that it is financially better for the person doing the work to pay for only one surveyor if all parties are happy and trust the impartial surveyor, but this is a different scenario.
Well done OP for taking all the information given to you and taking the initiative to get this resolved.

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