Neighbour's extension

[Dahliafancydress]

Looking for the wisdom of mumsnet!
My neighbour is doing a first floor extension and a loft conversion. We are detached but very close to the neighbour. For such work, will it usually involve digging into foundations? Just worried about how close they are - what recourse do we have if the work damages our house?

Do you mean the ground floor is already built existing home and they’re adding a 1st floor and loft space on top?

If you are in the UK, look up and see if it meets the requirements of a party wall agreement.
Basically if someone is doing building work on or near a shared wall, an agreement is put in place

Then the person doing the building work pays for an independent surveyor to check the condition house before and after to check there is no damage.

Thanks both,

@Cheesesteakyum there is already a ground floor extension so yes, it's adding a first floor to that, and a loft space ( which as part of the built will be rooms)

@HateThese4Leggedbeasts will that apply for a detached house? We have lived here for 2 years and I didn't think it applies?

@HateThese4Leggedbeasts yes it applies to attached and unattached neighbors

If they need to dig within 3m of your house then they need a Party Wall Agreement which surveys any potential risk and damage. They appoint a surveyor but you can have a different one which they fund. If the foundations already there are suitable to be used then probably not required.

Their architect / structural engineer will have to establish the current foundation arrangement and whether that is sufficient to build further floors on. Probably depends on how old the existing extension is. If they’re already at the point of submitting planning and a building warrant then you should be able to check online or call the council to see the plans, or your neighbours may know this detail themselves.

Thank you all, very helpful responses!this has caused unnecessary stress indeed