Richard Hourican |
Professional credentials can help you assess a Party Wall surveyor, but they do not all mean the same thing and they do not replace relevant Party Wall experience.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 does not require an appointed surveyor to hold a particular professional membership. Where credentials are held, however, they can provide additional evidence of competence, professional standards, specialist knowledge or organisational accountability.
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.
Why Professional Credentials Matter
Party Wall work combines statutory procedure, building knowledge, inspection, communication and impartial decision-making. Professional credentials can help a client understand the standards, competence frameworks or specialist communities to which a surveyor or firm is accountable.
They should be treated as part of the appointment decision rather than a guarantee of a particular outcome. Relevant experience with the proposed works and the Party Wall etc. Act remains essential.
Regulation, Chartered Status and Membership Are Different
RICS firm regulation, CIOB company status and individual professional memberships are different forms of professional standing. They should not be presented as interchangeable.
- RICS regulation applies to regulated firms and RICS professionals subject to the organisation’s standards and Rules of Conduct.
- CIOB company status is distinct from individual MCIOB membership and requires a current company certificate or directory record.
- MCABE is an individual Chartered Association of Building Engineers membership grade recognising professional competence.
- FPWS membership is specialist Party Wall membership supported by a Code of Conduct and professional standards process.
- Pyramus & Thisbe Society membership demonstrates engagement with a learned society focused on Party Wall and neighbourly matters. The Society is not a regulator and does not operate formal complaint or disciplinary procedures.
If you’re at the early stages, start with our core services overview: Party Wall Surveyor Services in London, or if you’ve received paperwork already, see: Party Wall Notices in London.
What RICS Firm Regulation Means
Hourican Associates is a RICS-regulated firm. RICS-regulated firms must comply with applicable RICS Rules of Conduct and professional standards and operate appropriate complaints-handling procedures.
RICS also publishes a professional standard for Party Wall legislation and procedure. RICS regulation therefore provides a useful layer of professional accountability, although clients should still confirm that the individual handling their matter has appropriate Party Wall experience.
Related reading: RICS Party Wall Surveyor London.
What MCABE Membership Means
MCABE is the Chartered Member grade of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers. It recognises individual professional competence and a commitment to ethical standards and continuing professional development across the built environment.
MCABE is not a Party Wall-specific qualification, but wider building and construction competence can be valuable when Party Wall matters involve defects, construction methods, structural risk or site conditions.
Chartered Building Consultancy and CIOB Company Status
Chartered Building Consultancy is the company-supplied description of Hourican Associates. Specific CIOB Chartered Company status requires a current company certificate or directory record.
CIOB Chartered companies and consultancies are assessed against standards relating to professional management, governance, transparency and accountability. A current company certificate or directory record is needed to establish that status for Hourican Associates.
What FPWS Membership Means
The Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors is specifically focused on Party Wall practice. Its members are subject to an FPWS Code of Conduct and the Faculty maintains professional standards and disciplinary procedures for member conduct.
FPWS membership is therefore relevant evidence that a surveyor is engaged with the specialist practice of Party Wall surveying. As with every credential, the surveyor’s practical experience should still be checked for the particular work involved.
If documentation and evidence matter for your project, see: Schedule of Condition Surveys in London.
What Pyramus & Thisbe Society Membership Means
The Pyramus & Thisbe Society is a learned society for professionals interested in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and wider neighbourly matters. It promotes knowledge, education and professional best practice.
It is important to describe that status accurately: the Society is not a trade organisation or professional regulator and it does not operate formal complaint or disciplinary procedures. Membership is best viewed as evidence of engagement with specialist Party Wall knowledge and professional discussion.
How Professional Credentials Can Help You Assess a Surveyor
Professional credentials cannot guarantee that a project will be dispute-free, but they can give you more information about competence, accountability and specialist involvement before you appoint someone.
- Check the surveyor’s practical experience with the proposed type of work.
- Verify firm regulation, chartered status or membership through the relevant official directory.
- Ask who will personally handle the statutory appointment.
- Confirm the written scope of service and fee basis.
- Ask about professional indemnity insurance and complaints procedures where relevant.
- Look for clear communication and an understanding of the surveyor’s duty to act impartially once appointed under the Act.
If you’re already in disagreement, our service page here may help: Party Wall Dispute Resolution.
Quick Checklist: How to Choose the Best Party Wall Surveyor in London
- Ask what they’re regulated by (e.g., RICS firm regulation / chartered status)
- Look for recognised memberships (RICS, CABE, CIOB, FPWS, Pyramus & Thisbe Society)
- Confirm specialist experience in your type of work (loft, basement, rear extension, excavations)
- Check their process: notice → schedule → negotiations → award → site follow-ups
- Make sure you’ll get clear documentation and plain-English guidance throughout