Three Common Causes of Damage
Structural damage to neighbouring property most commonly arises from three specific activities: installing RSJ beams in to Party Walls, jack hammering to remove chimney breasts, and excavation near neighbour’s foundations for ground floor extensions—which often involves the temporary removal of their natural right of support.
Our Professional Duties
- Thoroughly review structural drawings and the manner of proposed works.
- Record pre-works property condition with written and high resolution photographic evidence.
- Serve the statutory Party Wall Award setting out rights, responsibilities, and access.
- Maintain all surveys and forensic photos on file for a minimum of 10 years.
Neighbour Relationship Management
Maintaining positive relations is paramount. Pearce & Pearce has completed over 4,000 Party Wall surveys, ensuring adherence to the statutory framework while preserving professional transparency. By law, surveyors must remain strictly impartial, acting as neutral experts to safeguard the rights and interests of both properties.
Surveyor Appointments
Neighbours ("adjoining owners") have the right to appoint their own surveyor who can act for both parties. Alternatively, the same surveyor can act for both owners as the "Agreed Surveyor". This is the best way to limit costs and is recommended by government and professional bodies alike, to ensure an efficient legislative process.
Notice Periods & Process
Notice periods are 1 month for excavation near foundations (including extension digging and natural right of support) and 2 months for party wall works like lofts or chimney removals. We serve initial Notices free of charge, record pre-works photos, and issue Awards setting out rights and access, keeping all files for 10 years.
Costs & Efficiency
A Pearce & Pearce surveyor can act as an Agreed Surveyor for both parties, helping to maintain good neighbourly relations while reducing costs and simplifying the Party Wall process. Alternatively, we can prepare a standalone Schedule of Condition, providing a record of the adjoining property's condition before works begin, helping to protect against future disputes.
