Richard Hourican
Company Director • Chartered Surveyor • Party Wall specialist for London projects
Richard Hourican is the Company Director at Hourican Associates, a Chartered Building Consultancy specialising in Party Wall matters across London. With over 25 years’ experience as a Chartered Surveyor, Richard supports clients through the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 process with a clear, practical approach that prioritises compliance, programme certainty, and neighbourly outcomes.
Credentials & professional memberships
Richard’s qualifications and memberships reflect a career built around technical building knowledge, professional standards, and specialist Party Wall practice:
- BSc (Hons) – Bachelor of Science with Honours, reflecting advanced academic study in the built environment.
- HND Build – Higher National Diploma in Building, a practical, construction-focused qualification.
- OND Build – Ordinary National Diploma in Building, establishing a strong technical foundation in construction.
- MCIOB – Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, demonstrating competence in construction management and professional conduct.
- C.Build E MCABE – Chartered Building Engineer and Member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers, supporting professional building consultancy practice.
- ARICS – Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, aligned with recognised surveying standards and ethics.
- MFPWS – Member/Fellow-grade membership of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, evidencing specialist focus in Party Wall work.
- MPTS – Member of The Pyramus & Thisbe Club, a respected specialist forum dedicated to Party Wall practice.
Note: Membership designations can change over time; the above reflects Richard’s stated credentials and professional affiliations.
Experience that fits complex London builds
Richard’s background includes major development projects and formal project management experience, which means he’s comfortable working alongside architects, engineers, contractors, and client teams on demanding programmes. Whether the works involve a rear extension, loft conversion, basement excavation, or structural alterations to a party structure, Richard focuses on robust procedure and clear documentation to reduce risk and prevent disputes escalating.
How Richard helps clients
- Strategic Party Wall guidance aligned with design, sequencing, and buildability.
- Dispute prevention through clarity of notices, early engagement, and thorough records.
- Practical solutions that balance Building Owner needs with Adjoining Owner protections.
- Quality control mindset influenced by decades of surveying and project delivery.
A calm, professional approach
Richard is known for being measured and straightforward. Clients appreciate a process that feels organised, predictable, and responsive—especially where neighbours are understandably cautious about noise, dust, movement risk, or access arrangements.
Outside the office
When Richard isn’t working on projects, he’s a committed rugby fan—an interest that mirrors his professional style: disciplined, team-focused, and resilient under pressure.
FAQs
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If you’re planning works in London and need Party Wall guidance, contact Hourican Associates for clear next steps and a transparent quotation.
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Excellent service, would highly recommend. Richard made the party wall process pain free with both my neighbours happy with the agreements which were drawn up. Chiswick W4
Richard is a very professional and supportive expert. We have received lots of really helpful advice from the company and as such we feel assured we are carrying out our works appropriately. He is really friendly and puts complicated legal jargon into a laypersons language! I would most definitely use Hourican & Associates again and would not hesitate to recommend them to all. Thank you Richard!
We were extremely impressed with the service provided by Hourican Associates. We needed a Schedule of Condition completed to a tight deadline. Richard and his team were able to squeeze us in last minute to accommodate the project. Very professional and competitively priced service. I would highly recommend.
I would thoroughly recommend H&A having been referred by the company who are doing my loft conversion, about an unusual party wall matter. Richard was very helpful, professional and knowledgeable and willing to give some free, solid advice. A rarity these days! Should I need the services of a surveyor again in the future, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them and would I’d recommend wholeheartedly to others.
Fantastic service from Richard, would highly recommend.
Richard helped us with a challenging party wall agreement where both the leaseholder and freehold adjoining owner insisted on having separate surveyors for the removal of a chimney stack. He was clearly familiar with the different surveyors in the industry which was helpful. He worked tirelessly to get this over the line, to which we are very grateful.
I got in contact with Hourican Associates for some advice on a parapet wall issue (Party Wall dispute). I wish I could have instructed Richard but unfortunately due to the way the party wall award works I couldn’t. However he was fabulous. Richard returned my call quickly and gave me lots of advice on what I could do given the circumstances, what to make sure we ask for etc and also put my mind at rest. Richard really knows his stuff in party walls and I wished I’d found him earlier. Totally recommend! Thanks Richard. I’ll be saving your number for next time!
Really professional, trustworthy and moved at pace. Really happy with the service provided.
We engaged Hourican for Party Wall Awards in London. Really great experience. Richard engaged with all stakeholders and delivered the required result. In a timely and efficient manner Critically the communication was really well good the Richard kept the project team fully in the loop. Highly recommend.
Very impressive service. I asked many people for recommendations and I went with chatGPT. My neighbours were also happy. I was in communications with Richard and explained I had to arrange for all Neighbours so I need to arrange set dates in advance. Richard and his team were super accommodating and was able to turnaround the partywall awards swiftly. Highly recommended.