Overview
Preparing your own party wall notices may look like a way to save money, but it often creates avoidable delay, uncertainty and cost. A properly drafted notice can set the tone for the whole process.
Invalid notices are common
In our experience, a high proportion of notices prepared by homeowners, builders or non-specialists contain errors. Common problems include:
- serving the wrong owner;
- using the wrong type of notice;
- giving the wrong notice period;
- failing to include required drawings or sections;
- describing the works too vaguely;
- serving the notice incorrectly.
If the notice is invalid, it may need to be served again. That can reset the timetable and damage the neighbour's confidence before the project has even started.
Professional notices reduce disputes
A clear notice from a specialist surveyor usually looks more credible and is easier for a neighbour to understand. It shows that the building owner is trying to follow the Act properly, rather than pushing the work through casually.
That can increase the chance of consent or of an agreed surveyor appointment. It can also reduce the risk of the adjoining owner appointing a separate surveyor unnecessarily.
A schedule of condition helps everyone
A surveyor can also arrange a schedule of condition. This records the adjoining owner's property before work begins and reduces arguments about later damage claims. It protects the adjoining owner by creating a proper record, and it protects the building owner against exaggerated or unrelated claims.
Early advice can save more than it costs
A party wall surveyor can often identify simple changes that reduce risk, improve access arrangements or make the notice package easier to accept. In many cases, the cost of professional notice preparation is small compared with the cost of delay or a dispute.
Coburns offers notice preparation for a flat fee of GBP10 plus VAT per adjoining owner.
Conclusion
Hiring a party wall surveyor to prepare your notices helps ensure compliance, improves communication and can reduce the chance of unnecessary disputes. It is often one of the cheapest ways to keep the party wall process on track.