Party Wall Surveyor in Kensington
Hourican Associates are specialist Party Wall Surveyors serving Kensington, South Kensington, Holland Park, Earl’s Court, Gloucester Road, Queen’s Gate, Kensington High Street, Brompton and surrounding parts of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Party Wall Notices, Schedules of Condition and Awards for Building Owners, Adjoining Owners and Agreed Surveyor appointments.
Request a Party Wall quote in KensingtonParty Wall surveying in Kensington
We provide Party Wall surveying services in Kensington and the surrounding neighbourhoods described above, with project-specific advice based on the actual drawings, ownership and construction proposed.
Our role is to identify which parts of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 apply to the actual works, serve or review notices, record relevant pre-works condition where appropriate and resolve statutory disputes through surveyor appointments and Awards when required.
What do you need Party Wall help with in Kensington?
The next step depends on whether you are carrying out the works, have received a notice, or both owners want one surveyor to resolve a statutory dispute.
I am planning building work
We can review the drawings, identify any notifiable work and advise which owners and notices should be considered before the programme depends on them.
Building Owner Surveyor servicesI have received a Party Wall Notice
We can review the notice and supporting information, explain the proposed works and outline the available response and surveyor-appointment options.
Adjoining Owner Surveyor servicesWe would prefer one surveyor
Where a statutory dispute has arisen and both owners concur, one Agreed Surveyor can resolve the matter impartially instead of separate appointments.
Agreed Surveyor roleCommon Party Wall triggers in Kensington
Not every building project needs Party Wall procedure. The type, position and depth of the proposed work determine whether the Act applies.
Work to a party wall or party structure
Cutting into, raising, underpinning or otherwise carrying out qualifying work to a party wall or party structure can require a Party Structure Notice.
Notice period: normally at least 2 months.
Party structure guidanceExcavation within 3 or 6 metres
Within 3 metres, section 6 can apply where excavation goes below the bottom of adjoining foundations. Within 6 metres, the statutory 45-degree foundation test can apply. Distance alone is not enough.
Notice period: normally at least 1 month.
Excavation Party Wall guidanceBuilding at the boundary
Section 1 can apply where a new wall is proposed at the line of junction. Building a new wall astride the boundary requires the Adjoining Owner's written consent.
Notice period: normally at least 1 month.
Boundary Party Wall guidanceParty Wall Considerations in Kensington
Kensington's mansion blocks, converted flats, mews houses and period terraces commonly involve basement, lower-ground and structural alterations close to adjoining property.
Mansion Blocks & Converted Flats
Kensington and South Kensington contain many mansion blocks and converted period houses. Party structures can include separating floors and ceilings as well as walls, while leasehold and freehold interests can mean more than one adjoining ownership needs consideration.
Basements & Lower-Ground Works
Basement and lower-ground projects require particularly careful review of excavation depth, sequencing and neighbouring foundations. Section 6 may apply within 3 metres where excavation goes below the adjoining foundations, or within 6 metres where it crosses the statutory 45-degree line.
Mews, Terraces & Structural Alterations
Mews houses and terraces around Kensington, Holland Park, Earl’s Court and Gloucester Road can involve loft steel, chimney removal, party-wall cutting and boundary work on constrained sites. The correct notice route depends on the actual construction, not simply the project description.
Party Wall surveyor fees in Kensington
The service required depends on the works, the number of Adjoining Owners and whether a statutory dispute arises after notice.
Party Wall Notice
from £150 + VATper Adjoining Owner
Preparation and service of the appropriate notice documentation.
Schedule of Condition
typically £385–£585 + VATdepending on works and property size
Basement and more extensive surveys are quoted separately.
Full Party Wall service
typically £1,100–£1,500 + VATdepending on size and complexity
Includes notice, survey and Party Wall Award where required.
Why appoint Hourican Associates in Kensington?
We provide drawing-led Party Wall advice rather than assuming that every loft, extension, excavation or refurbishment follows the same statutory route.
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.
We explain the process clearly, keep the statutory role separate from advocacy once a surveyor is appointed under section 10, and use project-specific documentation proportionate to the works.
Kensington Party Wall FAQs
These FAQs add practical points rather than repeating the notice, pricing and service sections above.
Start with the actual architectural and structural proposals. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies because of the type, position and depth of the proposed work—not simply because a project is an extension, loft conversion or refurbishment.
Kensington and South Kensington contain many mansion blocks and converted period houses. Party structures can include separating floors and ceilings as well as walls, while leasehold and freehold interests can mean more than one adjoining ownership needs consideration.
Basement and lower-ground projects require particularly careful review of excavation depth, sequencing and neighbouring foundations. Section 6 may apply within 3 metres where excavation goes below the adjoining foundations, or within 6 metres where it crosses the statutory 45-degree line.
Review the notice and supporting information before responding. Consent is not the only option, and dissent does not mean opposing the building project. If a statutory dispute arises, an Agreed Surveyor or separate surveyors can be appointed under section 10.
No. A Schedule of Condition is not itself required by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, but it is commonly prepared as a dated written and photographic record of relevant visible condition before notifiable works begin.
No. Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate from the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. A project can have planning approval and still require Party Wall notices if the construction falls within the Act.
Speak to a Party Wall Surveyor in Kensington
Send us your drawings or the Party Wall Notice you have received. We can review the information, explain the relevant route and provide a clear quotation for the service required.
Request a Party Wall quote in Kensington
Call 020 8849 8390 if you would prefer to discuss the matter first.