Yes—sometimes, but it depends on why the work is being done and who benefits. For most home improvement projects, the building owner usually pays, but there are scenarios where costs can be shared or reallocated.
The general rule
If you’re doing work mainly for your benefit (extension, loft conversion, opening up, steel beams, new foundations), you should normally expect to pay the reasonable party wall costs, which can include the adjoining owner’s surveyor fees.
When costs can be shared
Costs are more likely to be shared where the work is not purely for one owner’s benefit, for example:
1) Repairing a shared structure (disrepair)
If works are needed because a party wall or shared structure is in disrepair and both owners have responsibility, surveyors can apportion costs between you. This is one of the clearest routes to cost sharing.
2) Works that benefit both properties
If the works provide a genuine shared benefit (not just incidental), surveyors may allocate costs accordingly. This is more common in situations involving repair, strengthening, or rebuilding that improves the shared wall for both sides.
3) Neighbour requests extras beyond what’s reasonable
If your neighbour asks for extra provisions—additional inspections, monitoring, specialist reports—that go beyond what’s reasonably required for your works, surveyors can decide those extra costs should be paid by the person requesting them.
4) New boundary wall arrangements (specific cases)
In some boundary-wall situations, costs can be allocated depending on whether a wall is built astride the boundary (which requires agreement) and whether it will serve both owners. These cases are very fact-specific.
How cost sharing is decided
If surveyors are involved, cost responsibility is usually dealt with in the Party Wall Award. The surveyors will consider:
- who benefits,
- whether works are necessary repairs vs improvements,
- reasonableness and proportionality,
- any extra requests causing additional time/cost.
The practical approach
If you want to explore cost sharing, the best steps are:
- discuss it informally with your neighbour early (before positions harden),
- keep it friendly and factual (“shared repair” and “shared benefit” are the key concepts),
- ask the surveyor(s) to consider apportionment in the Award where appropriate.
Want to know if your project qualifies for shared costs?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212 with a short description of your works (and whether it’s repair vs improvement). We’ll tell you if cost sharing is realistic and how to approach it without derailing the process.