Party Wall Surveyor in Lincoln & Lincolnshire
Planning an extension, loft conversion or work near a neighbour’s boundary? We handle party wall notices and awards under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 — acting for building owners or adjoining owners across Lincoln, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 protects both you and your neighbours when you carry out certain building work near, on or affecting a shared (party) wall or boundary. If your work is notifiable, you must serve the correct notice on your neighbour before starting — and if they don’t consent, a party wall surveyor is appointed to resolve matters fairly through a Party Wall Award.
Getting this right early avoids disputes, delays and legal risk. We can act as the single agreed surveyor for both parties, or represent you alone — always impartially, as the Act requires.
Work that’s notifiable under the Act
If your project falls into one of these categories, you’ll usually need to serve notice on your neighbour first.
Work at the boundary
Building a new wall on or at the line of junction with your neighbour’s land (Section 1) — common with extensions.
Work to the shared wall
Cutting into, raising, rebuilding or inserting beams into a party wall, or removing a chimney breast (Section 2).
Excavation nearby
Digging foundations, underpinning or a basement within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring building (Section 6).
Protect your project — and your relationship with the neighbours.
The party wall process
Serve notice
We prepare and serve the correct notice on the adjoining owner, with the right notice period.
Neighbour responds
They consent, or dissent and appoint a surveyor. No reply within 14 days counts as a dispute.
Appoint surveyor(s)
One agreed surveyor for both owners, or one each — plus a schedule of condition of the neighbour’s property.
Party Wall Award
An impartial award sets out the work, safeguards and access, so your project can proceed with confidence.
What your party wall surveyor does
- Advises whether your work is notifiable under the Act
- Prepares and serves the correct party wall notices
- Records a schedule of condition of the neighbouring property
- Negotiates and draws up the Party Wall Award
- Resolves disagreements impartially, as the Act requires
- Protects both owners and helps keep the project on track
Building owner or adjoining owner — we can act
Whether you’re carrying out the work or your neighbour has served notice on you, we can help. As RICS surveyors we act impartially under the Act, so the outcome is fair and legally sound. We also provide building surveys and specific defect reports where structural questions arise.
Acting early usually saves time and cost — and keeps things amicable with the people next door.
Party wall surveyors across Lincolnshire & beyond
Based in Lincoln, we handle party wall matters across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties. View all areas we cover.
Party wall FAQs
Do I need a party wall surveyor?
If your work is notifiable — an extension at the boundary, work to the shared wall, or excavation near a neighbour — you must serve notice. If your neighbour doesn’t consent, a party wall surveyor must be appointed to resolve matters through an award.
Who pays the party wall surveyor’s fees?
In most cases the building owner (the person doing the work) pays the reasonable surveyor’s fees, because the work is for their benefit. The award sets out who pays what.
What if my neighbour dissents or doesn’t reply?
If they dissent, or don’t respond within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to arise and surveyor(s) are appointed — either one agreed surveyor for both, or one for each owner — to settle a Party Wall Award.
Can one surveyor act for both of us?
Yes. If both owners agree, a single “agreed surveyor” can act impartially for both, which is usually quicker and cheaper.
How long does the party wall process take?
It depends on notice periods and how quickly the neighbour responds — often a few weeks. Acting early avoids holding up your build, so get in touch as soon as your plans are taking shape.
Get party wall advice
Tell us about the property and we’ll recommend the right survey with a clear, competitive fixed fee.
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