Do I have to get a Party Wall Surveyor? Is there a DIY option?

[mybaba]

I've just had a quote from a Party Wall Surveyor, really upset over the unexpected last minute costs. I'm now having to decided if I have the budget to even continue or postpone till next year. Why does no one explain the Party Wall stuff before?!

Not much detail here? What's being done (or not done)?

In my case the party wall surveyer was such as small
part of the overall costs I would be worried if you had contingency if you ran over. For me it was critical - if you don’t get one and the neighbour ours make a claim you are liable for their costs which could be anything. I paid for the surveys on both my neighbours for my own peace of mind.

If you can't afford a party wall surveyor then you cannot afford the build. You do realise you will also need to pay for a different surveyor for the neighbours if they want one?

Completely normal part of an (extension) build here in London. Plus, if you’re building onto “their” wall, you’ll owe them some money for that.

The need for a party wall survey is in everything I’ve ever read about building work so not sure how you’ve missed it. Also not that expensive

Why is that an unexpected last-minute cost? That doesn’t make sense to me. Can you say why you weren’t expecting it?

You only need one if your neighbours are objecting. We chatted with our neighbours and then drew up party wall agreements (using a free template from a legal site) and they signed them.

are you neighbours objecting/asking for a survey?

Would totally disagree with this. The survey shows the condition of your neighbours house pre build. So if they say - your work damaged this you have proof it didn’t…..

Hi OP. Tell us ore about the work you are planning. In most circumstances then a party wall surveyor really is the best option for your interests.

I’m not saying it’s best practice, just adding some clarity for OP :)

you can also pay just to have a schedule of conditions done (about £300 per neighbour) rather than full survey. We’ve done this as one side requested it but were otherwise fine with the works being done

Our neighbours objected and we have had to pay theirs and ours surveyor costs. I would ring around though, costs vary greatly. Our neighbours are awkward and also have strung it out for over 5 months so you may have time to save up!

You can’t act for yourself instead of a party wall surveyor. If you’re the one doing the work, rather than the neighbour being affected, then you had to pay the cost of your party wall surveyor as well as your neighbour’s, and also the cost of a third surveyor if there’s a dispute. Our neighbours are in the process of having an extension built and the cost of each of the three surveyors was around £1500 for our side, and they also had to pay for the PWS on the other side too. You can’t start work until the party wall award has been agreed.