Party Wall Surveyor Fees: An Easy-to-Follow Overview

Understanding how surveyors' fees work in relation to the party wall process is crucial when planning building work. Below is a simplified overview of what to be aware of.

WHAT DETERMINES PARTY WALL SURVEYOR FEES?
Types of fee structures:

• Hourly Billing: Some surveyors charge based on the time they spend on the project.
• Fixed Pricing: Others provide a flat fee for handling the process start to finish.
• Task-Based Pricing: This involves set fees for specific tasks.

Task-based pricing is generally the most transparent and reliable method. Quotes based on hourly rates tend to be less predictable and are best avoided.

ROLE OF AN AGREED SURVEYOR
An Agreed Surveyor must act impartially for both the building owner and the adjoining neighbour.

• Typically offers a fixed price quote
• Paid by the building owner
• Helps maintain cost control
• Eliminates the need for a second surveyor in most straightforward cases

WHEN THE ADJOINING OWNER APPOINTS THEIR OWN SURVEYOR
If your neighbour chooses to appoint their own surveyor, it's the norm for the building owner to cover both parties' fees.

• While it’s their legal right, having two surveyors will inevitably lead to higher costs.
• It’s reasonable for the building owner to ask if the chosen surveyor is willing to act as the agreed surveyor.
• If this offer is refused without valid reason, some argue the adjoining owner should bear the cost of the building owner's surveyor. (Recent relevant case law may support this).

HIGHER COSTS FOR COMPLEX PROJECTS
Large-scale or technically complex works—like basements—often lead to extra fees:

• Engineer Fees: If the adjoining owner's surveyor brings in an engineer, that cost usually falls on the building owner, although the original surveyor’s fee should be adjusted (down) accordingly.
• Design Work: Further design input may be necessary.
• Monitoring Costs: For risky or high-impact work, ongoing monitoring might be required.

DEALING WITH DISPUTES OVER FEES
Challenging excessive charges:

1. Talk it through: Start by asking for an explanation.
2. Request details: A breakdown of hours and tasks, usually via timesheet, should be provided.
3. Use benchmarks: If the timesheet isn’t clear, refer to the typical rates of local professionals.
4. Third Surveyor Option: If the issue remains unresolved, a third surveyor (appointed at the beginning of the dispute process) can make a binding decision.

MAIN POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Avoid hourly rates where possible.
• Menu-style pricing is often the fairest and most transparent.
• Using one agreed surveyor helps reduce both complexity and cost.
• Second surveyor = more cost, which the building owner usually pays.
• Extra charges may apply on larger or more technical projects.
• Fee disagreements can often be settled through dialogue or escalated to a third-party surveyor.

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