The short answer
A high party wall fee claim should not be accepted just because it comes from the adjoining owner’s surveyor. The building owner pays reasonable fees, not every fee demanded, and a calm, evidence-based challenge is usually the best response.
Why it matters
A vague invoice is not enough to justify a high fee. The work must relate to the Act — time spent on planning issues, general neighbour complaints or non-notifiable works may not be recoverable through the award. The fee should match risk and complexity: a high fee may be justified for basement works, underpinning or difficult damage disputes, but is much harder to justify for simple domestic works involving routine beam bearings or straightforward notices. Many fee disputes settle once the excess is properly identified, and a third surveyor can reduce fees that are disproportionate, poorly evidenced or outside the Act.
What to do now
- Ask for a detailed timesheet: the work done, dates, time, hourly rate, disbursements and why each task was necessary.
- Check the work relates to the Act, and compare the fee with the complexity.
- Negotiate first, with specific concerns and a sensible counter-offer.
- If unresolved, consider a third surveyor referral, but keep it proportionate.
- Keep a clear record of proposals, timesheets, offers and objections.
Common mistakes
- Paying a high fee on a vague invoice.
- Treating fees for non-Act work as recoverable.
- Spending more fighting the fee than the saving is worth.
When to call Coburns
If you have received a high fee claim, send us the invoice and timesheet and we will identify what is reasonable and challenge the rest.