If you are searching for a RICS Party Wall Surveyor in London, the most important decision is choosing a properly qualified, regulated and experienced consultancy that understands both the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and the realities of London property. Hourican Associates are a Chartered Building Consultancy specialising in party wall surveying across London, helping building owners, adjoining owners, homeowners, developers and commercial clients progress works correctly, professionally and with minimal neighbourly friction.

RICS-Regulated Party Wall Consultancy in London

Party Wall matters can be technical, time-sensitive and sensitive between neighbours. Relevant experience with both construction and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is therefore important.

Hourican Associates is a Chartered Building Consultancy specialising in Party Wall surveying across London. The firm is regulated by RICS. Richard Hourican's supplied qualifications and memberships are MFPWS, BSc (Hons), MCIOB, MCABE and AssocRICS. His Pyramus & Thisbe Society membership is company-supplied, pending a current membership record. Specific CIOB company status requires a current company certificate or directory record. These credentials provide useful indicators of professional standards and specialist knowledge, but the experience of the individual handling the appointment should always be considered as well.

RICS-Regulated Consultancy

Professional standards, ethical practice, clear advice and structured client care for party wall matters across London.

FPWS Party Wall Expertise

Specialist Party Wall membership and professional standards relating to notices, Awards, disputes and Party Wall procedure.

Building & Construction Knowledge

Richard Hourican holds MCIOB and MCABE. Specific CIOB company status requires a current company certificate or directory record.

London Party Wall Experience

Experienced with terraced houses, semi-detached homes, flats, basements, loft conversions and tight urban sites across London.

Party Wall surveying in London from RICS-regulated firm Hourican Associates

What Does “RICS Party Wall Surveyor” Mean?

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 does not require an appointed surveyor to be a RICS member. For the purposes of section 10, a surveyor can be any person who is not a party to the matter. Government guidance recommends choosing someone with good construction knowledge and experience of Party Wall procedure, while RICS recommends suitably experienced chartered surveyors and regulated firms.

A Party Wall professional may advise before a dispute arises, including reviewing drawings and serving notices. Once formally appointed under the Act, the surveyor performs an independent statutory role and must administer the dispute impartially rather than act simply as an advocate for the appointing owner.

Choose the Right Party Wall Service

This page explains our professional credentials and trust signals. If you already know what help you need, you may prefer to go directly to one of our main service pages:

Party Wall Notices

For building owners planning notifiable works and needing valid notices served correctly.

View notice service

Schedule of Condition Surveys

For recording a neighbouring property’s condition before works begin, helping reduce later disputes.

View survey service

Party Wall Awards

For formally resolving a party wall dispute and setting out how notifiable works may proceed.

View award service

Adjoining Owner Advice

For neighbours who have received a party wall notice and want to understand their options.

View adjoining owner service

When Should You Appoint a Party Wall Surveyor in London?

You should seek party wall advice as early as possible if your project involves work to a shared wall, building on or near a boundary, cutting into a party structure, removing a chimney breast, forming a loft conversion, excavating near neighbouring foundations or carrying out basement works.

Project Type	Common Party Wall Issue	Relevant Service
Loft conversion	Steel beams, cutting into party walls, raising walls or working near shared roof structures.	Loft conversion party wall surveyor
Rear or side extension	Excavations near neighbouring foundations or building close to the boundary.	Rear extension party wall surveyor
Basement works	Deeper excavation, underpinning risk, vibration, movement and detailed condition recording.	Basement works party wall surveyor
Chimney breast removal	Cutting away from a party structure or altering shared support.	Chimney removal party wall surveyor
Excavations	Works within 3 metres or 6 metres of neighbouring structures, depending on depth and foundation position.	Excavation party wall surveyor

Transparent Party Wall Surveyor Costs

Hourican Associates provide clear party wall pricing wherever possible, with fees depending on the size, complexity and risk profile of the project.

Service	Typical Fee	Notes
Party Wall Notice Service	from £150 + VAT per adjoining owner	Professional drafting and service of party wall notices.
Schedule of Condition Survey	typically £385 – £585 + VAT	Depends on the works and property size. Basement surveys are priced separately due to the additional detail required.
Full Party Wall Award	typically £1,100 – £1,500 + VAT	Typically includes serving notice, carrying out the survey and agreeing the Award. Final fee depends on property and project size.

Building Owner, Adjoining Owner or Agreed Surveyor?

The correct appointment depends on your position and how the notice is handled. Building owners usually need help serving the correct notices before work starts. Adjoining owners may need advice after receiving a notice. In some cases, both owners can agree to appoint one impartial Agreed Surveyor.

Building Owner’s Surveyor – for owners planning notifiable works.
Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor – for neighbours who have received a notice.
Agreed Surveyor – one impartial surveyor appointed by both owners where appropriate.
Commercial Party Wall Surveyor – for commercial premises, mixed-use buildings and more complex projects.

Why Hourican Associates?

Hourican Associates focus on keeping party wall matters clear, professional and neighbourly. Our role is to help clients understand their obligations, avoid invalid notices, reduce unnecessary disputes and progress works in a way that is properly documented under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

Chartered Building Consultancy specialising in party wall surveying.
RICS-regulated professional standards and client care.
Richard Hourican: MFPWS, BSc (Hons), MCIOB, MCABE and AssocRICS. Pyramus & Thisbe Society membership is company-supplied, pending a current record.
Clear fees for notices, schedules of condition and Party Wall Awards.
Experienced with London homes, flats, terraces, basements, extensions and commercial buildings.
Practical advice for both building owners and adjoining owners.

You can also read more about our professional background on our about page, our party wall associations and regulators page, or our client testimonials.

RICS Party Wall Surveyor London – FAQs

A RICS party wall surveyor is commonly used to describe a party wall surveyor working within a RICS-regulated professional environment. In party wall matters, the surveyor’s role is to administer the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 impartially and professionally, rather than simply act as an advocate for one side.

Hourican Associates’ party wall notice service from £150 + VAT per adjoining owner. Schedule of Condition Surveys are typically £385–£585 + VAT, while full Party Wall Awards are usually £1,100–£1,500 + VAT depending on project size, complexity and property type.

If a neighbour validly consents to the notice, a Party Wall Award may not be required. However, a Schedule of Condition Survey is still often recommended before works begin, as it records the adjoining property’s condition and can help avoid later disputes about alleged damage.

Yes. If both owners agree, they can appoint one impartial Agreed Surveyor. This can keep the process simpler and more cost-effective, but the surveyor must remain impartial and administer the Act correctly for both parties.

You can consent, dissent and appoint an agreed surveyor, or dissent and appoint your own surveyor. Before responding, it is sensible to understand the proposed works, the type of notice served and whether a condition survey or Party Wall Award is needed. Our adjoining owner surveyor service explains the options.

The notice period depends on the work. Section 1 Line of Junction and Section 6 adjacent-excavation notices generally require at least one month. Section 2 Party Structure Notices generally require at least two months. Early advice is recommended so the correct notice is prepared and served in time.

Speak to a RICS Party Wall Surveyor in London

Whether you are planning works or have received a notice from your neighbour, Hourican Associates can help you understand the correct next step. We provide party wall notices, schedules of condition, Party Wall Awards and impartial dispute resolution services across London.

Request a Free Party Wall Quote

RICS Party Wall Surveyor in London