The Role Of Party Wall Surveyors

By Author: Jim Hart
Total Articles: 5
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The term "surveyor" is determined in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 every person who isn't a party towards the works. That rules the chance of an owner acting for themselves but other people are able to take an appointment. That includes whoever is overseeing the whole shebang on the owner’s behalf, whether surveyor or architect. The chosen person should have a great knowledge of construction, be versed in party wall procedures and ideally have a relevant qualification. Popular choices include building surveyors and structural engineers.
The party wall surveyors will prepare a document known as a “party wall award”. This document sets the owners’ rights and responsibilities in relation to the way the work should proceed and covers items for example working hours, what goes on in the event of damage and access for the surveyor(s) throughout the whole shebang.
If you feel your neighbor is not likely to consent to the planned works it's worth involving a Party wall surveyor London in an early stage. The procedure starts with the service of notice. Although template ...
... notices are accessible it is worth remembering that if they don't contain all the information you need, or are not properly served, they will be invalid.
Probably the most time consuming task that the party wall surveyor performs, prior to the work commencing, may be the preparation of a schedule of condition of the adjoining owner’s property. It is essential that this is performed accurately to ensure that any subsequent damage could be properly attributed. If there are two surveyors this is prepared by your building owner’s surveyor and proofed through the adjoining owner’s surveyor.
An essential point to remember is that once party wall surveyors are appointed under the Act, whether because the Agreed Surveyor or by either owner, there is a duty to act within an entirely impartial manner.
Owners often find this part of the Act tough to swallow; in the end, they appointed the surveyor why shouldn’t he bloody well fight their side from the argument. It may be tempting for any building owner to try and eliminate an intransigent surveyor but alas underneath the Act no chance. Once Party Wall Surveyors London continue to be appointed that appointment cannot be rescinded unless the surveyor under consideration declares himself incapable of acting or dies.
Finally we arrived at fees, under all normal circumstances these are paid through the building owner. It is difficult to talk in figures as they vary widely from job to job and surveyor to surveyor. Surveyors appointed through the building owner will normally quote a fixed fee whereas the adjoining owner’s surveyor will charge by the hour (£140 may be the current average for London) with contingencies for further visits - the ultimate figure is agreed and entered into the award right before it is served. Fees charged by adjoining owner’s party wall surveyor in London vary from £700 for any simple job rising to £1500 plus to have an award covering more complicated works such as a basement conversion.
For hiring qualified Party wall Surveyors you can simply log on to: http://www.partywallsurveying.com