Real projects. Real neighbours. Real outcomes.

We acted as the Building Owner's surveyor on a substantial construction project in Buckinghamshire. The proposals included continuous flight auger piling to form a retaining wall immediately adjacent to a former Victorian police station that had been converted into residential flats. Some works had already commenced before the Party Wall process had been concluded, which caused significant concern among the adjoining freeholder and leaseholders, who had begun considering formal legal action.

We treated the matter as a priority and liaised directly with the Adjoining Owner's appointed surveyor. We arranged the necessary inspections, reviewed the relevant technical information, method and risk assessments, geotechnical information and specifications, and ensured that the required Party Wall documentation was prepared and served. We also communicated with the affected owners to explain the proposed works, the safeguards being implemented and the procedures available should any damage occur.

The concerns of the adjoining owners were addressed, the dispute was brought back within the appropriate Party Wall framework and the necessary documentation was completed to enable the project to proceed with suitable protections in place.

We became involved in a dispute where construction works undertaken by a developer had caused damage to an adjoining Tudor property, including areas of its original historic fabric. The matter required a sensitive approach that considered both the interests of the respective owners and the importance of preserving the character and traditional construction of the affected building.

We worked with both owners and appropriately qualified conservation specialists to assess the damage and agree suitable remedial works. We also assisted the parties in establishing a separate contractual agreement setting out responsibility for any future damage arising from the design, detailing or continued performance of the development works.

A suitable programme of conservation-led repairs was agreed, allowing the damaged historic fabric to be made good using appropriate materials and methods. The additional agreement also provided the adjoining owner with greater protection against future issues associated with the works.

We acted in a matter involving two substantial commercial organisations where scaffolding had encroached onto neighbouring land and certain works had proceeded without a Party Wall Award being agreed. The situation had resulted in concerns relating to trespass, site security, access and the continuation of the remaining construction works.

We liaised with the appointed surveyor for the neighbouring owner and reviewed the works that had already taken place, together with the remaining construction proposals. We served the necessary notices for the outstanding notifiable works and prepared a Party Wall Award regulating how those works were to proceed. As scaffolding access and encroachment extend beyond the scope of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 in certain circumstances, we also prepared a separate scaffolding access agreement dealing with the required access, security arrangements and responsibilities of the parties.

The Party Wall and access issues were separated and addressed through the appropriate documentation. This allowed the remaining notifiable works to proceed under a Party Wall Award while the scaffolding access requirements were clearly regulated through a separate agreement.

Our client proposed a relatively standard rear extension and associated internal alterations to a Victorian terraced property. However, the neighbouring buildings had been converted into flats, meaning that notices were required to be served on a total of 14 adjoining freeholders and leaseholders. Without careful coordination, each owner could have appointed a separate surveyor — potentially resulting in substantial professional fees, significant delays and uncertainty over whether the project remained financially viable.

We worked closely with the Building Owner to establish direct and constructive communication with each affected freeholder and leaseholder. By clearly explaining the proposed works and the Party Wall process, we developed a positive working relationship with the adjoining owners and addressed their concerns at an early stage.

Through proactive engagement, we successfully arranged for a single surveyor to represent the Building Owner and a single surveyor to represent the adjoining owners. This considerably reduced the potential costs and administrative burden while allowing the Party Wall process to progress efficiently.

A homeowner contacted us after being approached by a neighbouring owner's surveyor regarding her proposed side extension. She felt pressured to serve Party Wall notices and was presented with a substantial fee proposal for the surveyor to represent both parties. The situation had caused the client considerable concern, as she believed that she was required to enter into a formal Party Wall process before proceeding.

We independently reviewed the architectural and structural information and instructed further investigations where clarification was required. Our assessment established that the proposed works did not fall within the scope of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and that no Party Wall notices were required.

The client was able to proceed without entering into an unnecessary Party Wall process. Our advice prevented avoidable professional fees, reduced delays and provided the client with clear and independent reassurance.