The short answer
The difference between a good and a bad party wall surveyor shows up in cost, delay and neighbour relations. The single best test is simple: is the surveyor reducing the dispute, or expanding it?
Why it matters
Good surveyors move matters forward efficiently, keep costs proportionate, act impartially, communicate clearly, reduce conflict, focus on what falls within the Act and explain risk without exaggerating it. Bad-faith or fee-driven surveyors tend to delay progress, inflate costs, create conflict, mislead owners, overcomplicate simple matters and add little real value. The Act was designed to resolve disputes efficiently and fairly — if the process feels unnecessarily slow, complex or expensive, it often is.
What to do now
- Apply the key test: is the surveyor narrowing the issues or widening them?
- Expect them to agree what can be agreed and refer only genuine disputes.
- Challenge unreasonable behaviour early, politely but firmly.
Common mistakes
- Mistaking activity and long correspondence for diligence.
- Letting a matter drift as it becomes slower and more expensive without good reason.
- Waiting too long to challenge poor conduct.
When to call Coburns
If your matter feels like it is being expanded rather than resolved, send us the correspondence and we will tell you whether it is being handled proportionately.