Looking for a Party Wall Surveyor Near You in London?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 protects both you and your neighbours when building work affects a shared wall, a boundary, or the ground close to an adjoining property — and extensions, loft conversions and basements very often trigger it. As RIBA Chartered, ARB-registered architects (Reg No. 089055C) we identify when the Act applies at the design stage and coordinate party wall matters alongside your architectural, structural and building regulations package, working with experienced party wall surveyors.
We are architects, not party wall surveyors. Our role is to identify when the Party Wall Act applies, prepare the drawings the process needs, and coordinate with experienced party wall surveyors alongside your architectural, structural and building regulations package — so the whole project stays coordinated. The Party Wall Award itself is produced by the appointed surveyor.
When it applies, and how we keep it from delaying your build
When the Act applies
The Act covers work to an existing party wall (such as cutting in beams for a loft conversion, removing a chimney breast or underpinning), building a new wall at or astride the boundary, and excavating near a neighbouring building — broadly within three metres and below their foundations, or within six metres and below a 45-degree line. If your project falls into any of these categories it is notifiable, and notice must be served before work starts.
Notices & the award
Notifiable work needs written notice to each adjoining owner: two months for work to a party wall, one month for a new boundary wall or adjacent excavation. A neighbour then has 14 days to consent or dissent — and if they dissent, party wall surveyors are appointed to agree a Party Wall Award, a legal document recording the neighbour's property beforehand and setting out how and when the work may proceed.
How we coordinate it
Because we identify party wall issues while we are still designing your project, they are dealt with in good time rather than surfacing once a contractor is booked. We prepare clear drawings that neighbours and surveyors can understand, flag the notice periods so they are built into the programme, and coordinate with experienced party wall surveyors alongside the structural and building regulations information.
Party wall matters, handled at the design stage
We flag party wall issues early and keep them moving in step with the rest of your project — so notices are served on time, drawings support the process, and the appointed surveyor has everything they need.
- Party wall assessment at the design stage
- Advice on work to party walls, boundaries & excavation
- Notice periods flagged and built into the programme
- Drawings to support party wall notices & awards
- Coordination with experienced party wall surveyors
- Neighbour liaison alongside your design package
Projects where party wall matters were coordinated
Basement & Rear Extension Scheme
Fulham, London
Residential Renovation & Loft Extension
Finsbury Park, London
Accredited & regulated architects
Shorplans Developments is a RIBA Chartered Practice and an ARB-registered firm — your assurance of professional, regulated standards on every project we coordinate.
Serving London & the Greater London areas
We work with homeowners and developers right across London and the Greater London areas — identifying party wall matters at the design stage, borough by borough.
Party Wall — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a party wall agreement for my extension or loft conversion?
You may. If your project cuts into or alters a shared party wall — for example inserting beams for a loft conversion or removing a chimney breast — builds a wall on the boundary, or excavates foundations close to a neighbouring building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies and notice must be served. We identify whether the Act affects your project during the design stage.
How long does the party wall process take?
Allow for it in the programme. Two months' notice is required for work to a party wall and one month for excavation or a new boundary wall, and where a neighbour dissents a Party Wall Award must be agreed by surveyors before work can begin. Serving notices early — which we flag as part of the programme — stops party wall matters from delaying your build.
Do you act as the party wall surveyor?
No — we are architects, not party wall surveyors. Our role is to identify when the Act applies, prepare the drawings the process needs, and coordinate with experienced party wall surveyors alongside your architectural, structural and building regulations package, so the whole project stays coordinated. The Party Wall Award itself is produced by the appointed surveyor.
Planning work that affects a party wall?
Tell us about your extension, loft conversion or basement and we'll identify any party wall matters at the design stage — and coordinate with an appointed party wall surveyor so your build isn't delayed.
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