A good party wall surveyor does more than “write an Award.” They reduce risk, keep neighbour relations stable, and help your project move forward without unnecessary cost or delay. Here are the qualities that matter most.
1) Deep practical knowledge of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
You want someone who can clearly explain:
- whether the Act applies to your works (and which parts),
- what notices are needed and who must receive them (freeholders, leaseholders, multiple adjoining owners, etc.),
- how timelines work (responses, follow-ups, appointments, Awards),
- what is “reasonable” under the Act (a key word in fee and dispute decisions).
A strong surveyor will be confident on the legal process and realistic about what will and won’t stand up if challenged.
2) Solid building and structural understanding
The best surveyors can read drawings properly and spot risk early. They should be comfortable with:
- extensions, loft conversions, steel beams, chimney removals,
- underpinning and basements (higher risk),
- excavation/foundation interactions,
- temporary works and sequencing.
They don’t need to be a structural engineer, but they should understand the build well enough to create sensible safeguards.
3) Clear, calm communication (this is huge)
Most party wall problems are communication problems. A good surveyor:
- explains the process in plain English,
- responds promptly,
- sets expectations early (timescales, likely steps, realistic outcomes),
- keeps correspondence professional and de-escalated,
- knows how to handle worried neighbours without inflaming things.
You want someone who can keep the temperature down.
4) A thorough Schedule of Condition
A careful Schedule of Condition is one of the biggest protections you can buy. A good surveyor will:
- inspect properly (not a 10-minute walkthrough),
- take clear, date-stamped photographs,
- record existing cracks/defects precisely,
- reference rooms/locations clearly,
- produce a document that’s actually useful if there’s a later damage allegation.
5) A Party Wall Award that’s practical—not generic
A good Award is tailored to your project and usable on site. It should:
- match the drawings and actual method,
- include sensible safeguards (dust control, vibration, weatherproofing, protection),
- include working hours, access procedure, and notice for access,
- set out how damage will be assessed and resolved,
- be clear enough that contractors can follow it without confusion.
Avoid surveyors who rely on copy-paste Awards with minimal project detail.
6) Independence and fairness
Even if you appoint them, a party wall surveyor must act impartially under the Act. The good ones:
- don’t “take sides,”
- don’t over-promise (“we’ll force your neighbour to accept”),
- make decisions based on risk and reasonableness,
- keep the process credible so the Award is less likely to be challenged.
If a surveyor is overly aggressive, it often backfires—neighbours dig in and costs rise.
7) Proportionate, transparent fees
A professional surveyor will be upfront about:
- whether they charge fixed fee or hourly,
- what’s included (notices, inspections, schedule of condition, Award, post-inspection),
- what could trigger extra charges (extra visits, revisions, complex negotiations),
- likely ranges depending on whether the neighbour consents or dissents.
If they won’t give a clear fee structure, that’s a red flag.
8) Good process management (keeps projects moving)
Look for someone who:
- serves correct notices first time (avoids delays),
- keeps the neighbour’s response on track,
- sets realistic timescales,
- coordinates inspections efficiently,
- doesn’t let things drift for weeks without updates.
You’re hiring them partly to stop the process becoming a time sink.
Red flags to watch out for
- Promises they can “guarantee” your neighbour will agree
- Very cheap quotes that exclude key work (like schedule of condition or post-inspection)
- Slow responses, vague answers, or unclear fee basis
- Overly confrontational tone in neighbour letters/emails
- Generic Awards that don’t reflect your project details
Want help choosing the right surveyor?
If you email mail@howorth.uk with your project type (extension/loft/basement), property type (terrace/semi/flat), and where you are in the process (planning/notice served/neighbour dissented), we can point you toward the right approach and what questions to ask before you appoint anyone.