In the majority of cases, yes—if you’re carrying out the notifiable works, you should budget to pay party wall surveyor fees.
Why you usually pay
If your work triggers the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the Act creates a formal process (notice, responses, surveyors if needed, and possibly an Award). Because that process is being triggered by your building project, the reasonable professional costs are typically treated as part of the cost of doing the work properly.
This usually means the building owner pays for:
- Their own surveyor (if appointed)
- The adjoining owner’s surveyor (if the neighbour appoints one)
- The work involved in preparing and agreeing the Party Wall Award
- The Schedule of Condition and related inspections
When you might not need surveyors at all
You may avoid surveyor fees if:
- You serve a correct notice, and
- Your neighbour consents in writing within 14 days, and
- No Award is required
However, even with consent, some owners still choose to get a Schedule of Condition for protection and clarity (this can be particularly useful where there are existing cracks or where works are structural).
When costs might be shared or adjusted
There are circumstances where you may not pay all costs, such as:
- The work relates to shared disrepair, where costs may be apportioned
- The adjoining owner requests additional measures that go beyond what’s reasonable
- Unreasonable conduct leads to extra costs that surveyors decide should fall elsewhere
But as a practical budgeting assumption for home projects: expect to pay the party wall costs.
What affects the level of fees?
Party wall fees can vary based on:
- Complexity of the structure and method (steelwork, basements, underpinning, etc.)
- Number of adjoining owners (especially in flats)
- Quality and completeness of drawings/information
- Whether there’s cooperation or prolonged disagreement
- How many inspections are needed (pre-works and post-works, plus any interim checks)
Why it’s still worth it
Surveyor involvement and a proper Award can prevent bigger costs later by:
- Reducing risk of injunctions and project delays
- Creating a record that helps resolve damage allegations fairly
- Setting clear safeguards so builders know what is and isn’t allowed
- Avoiding escalation into expensive legal disputes
If you want a clearer idea of whether you’ll need surveyors and what you should budget for, email mail@howorth.uk with your address, the proposed works, and your intended start date.