The short answer
Expertise comes from knowledge, experience, judgement and the consistent ability to solve real problems — not from a job title, a membership badge or occasional meetings. In party wall work the Act is short, but its practical administration can be difficult.
Why it matters
A true expert understands the fundamentals: when the Act applies, what each notice requires, how disputes are deemed to arise, the limits of jurisdiction, how fees should be assessed, and how to write clear, lawful awards. They have repeated practical exposure to real problems — difficult neighbours, non-responsive owners, damage claims, excessive fees, third surveyor referrals, defective notices — keep learning from cases and their own files, make complicated matters clearer, communicate in plain English, and act with integrity rather than using complexity to create dependency. Holding a committee or club role is not the same as expertise; what matters is what someone has actually done, and how often.
What to do now
- Judge a surveyor on demonstrated experience, not titles or roles held.
- Ask what they have actually done and how frequently.
- Look for clear explanations and honesty about risk and fees.
Common mistakes
- Equating a title or committee position with expertise.
- Mistaking repeated practice for competence where the basics are weak.
- Trusting complexity over clarity.
When to call Coburns
If you want genuine party wall experience rather than a badge, get in touch and we will explain plainly what we have done and how we work.