The short answer
Not in the usual sense — a served notice is not formally “amended”. What happens instead depends on how much the work changes. If the works are modified but not substantially, the surveyors deal with the change through the award (or an addendum award), rather than re-serving anything. If the works change substantially, so the original notice no longer describes what you are doing, a fresh notice is required. So minor design tweaks are handled in the award; major ones mean serving again.
Why it matters
The notice exists to tell the adjoining owner what is proposed; the award then governs how it is carried out. Small changes — a revised detail, a slightly different beam, a minor repositioning — do not need a new notice, because the surveyors can address them in the award or by an addendum award, which is quicker and cheaper than starting over. Substantial changes — a materially different or larger scheme, different party wall works, or new excavation — go beyond what was notified, so the original notice no longer covers them and a new notice with a fresh period is needed. The dividing line is simply whether the change is substantial, and if it is borderline the surveyors will advise. Letting the award absorb modest changes is one of the practical reasons a single agreed surveyor is so useful — one person can deal with it efficiently for both owners.
What to do now
- If your design changes, tell your surveyor before carrying on.
- Expect modest changes to be handled in the award or an addendum award.
- For a substantial change, serve a fresh notice with a new period.
- If a dispute arises, a single agreed surveyor acting for both owners is the quicker, cheaper route — the one Coburns recommends.
Common mistakes
- Assuming you must re-serve for every minor tweak.
- Pressing on with a substantially different scheme under the old notice.
- Not telling the surveyor about changes until the work is done.
When to call Coburns
If your scheme changes, we will tell you whether the award can absorb it or a fresh notice is needed — and handle whichever is required.