Agreed Party Wall Surveyor in London
Under Section 10(1)(a) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, both the building owner and adjoining owner can agree to appoint a single Agreed Party Wall Surveyor. This impartial professional acts for both parties — ensuring the works comply with the Act and that neither side is disadvantaged. At Hourican Associates, our Chartered Party Wall Surveyors are regularly appointed as Agreed Surveyors for homeowners and developers across London, providing a cost-effective, neutral solution.
What Does an Agreed Surveyor Do?
An Agreed Surveyor is a single surveyor jointly appointed by both the building owner and the adjoining owner under Section 10(1)(a) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Rather than each owner appointing their own surveyor, both parties rely on one impartial expert to manage the Party Wall process.
The Agreed Surveyor performs all duties required under the Act, including:
- Reviewing architectural drawings, structural details and proposed works.
- Preparing and, where required, serving valid Party Wall Notices.
- Carrying out Schedule of Condition inspections of adjoining properties.
- Drafting and serving the Party Wall Award (Party Wall Agreement).
- Managing any agreed variations to the works and addressing issues that arise during construction.
- Providing impartial advice if concerns or disputes emerge, and working alongside our dedicated Party Wall dispute resolution service where needed.
Crucially, an Agreed Surveyor must remain entirely impartial — acting neither for the building owner nor the adjoining owner, but for the Act itself.
Advantages of Appointing an Agreed Surveyor
Where neighbours have a good relationship and share a common goal of keeping the process straightforward, appointing an Agreed Surveyor can offer several benefits:
- Cost-effective: Only one surveyor’s fees instead of two, often reducing overall Party Wall costs.
- Faster resolution: Fewer delays between surveyors, enabling quicker agreement of the Award.
- Simplified communication: Both parties deal with a single professional point of contact.
- Impartial advice: The Agreed Surveyor’s duty is to fairness and proper application of the Act, not to either side.
This route is particularly common on smaller residential projects such as loft conversions, rear extensions, and chimney removals, where neighbours wish to minimise cost and complexity.
Why Choose Hourican Associates as Your Agreed Surveyor?
Hourican Associates is frequently appointed as an Agreed Surveyor on both residential and commercial projects across London. Our role is to interpret and apply the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 fairly, providing clear, practical guidance to both owners.
- Chartered Building Consultancy regulated by RICS, CIOB, and MCABE.
- Experienced, neutral specialists in all types of Party Wall matters, including basements, lofts and boundary walls.
- Members of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Pyramus & Thisbe Society.
- Clear communication, transparent costs, and fast service across all London boroughs.
- Ability to provide a complete service — from Notices and Schedules of Condition through to final Party Wall Awards.
We handle the process efficiently, ensuring both parties are fully informed, legally protected, and confident in the fairness of the outcome.
Is the Agreed Surveyor Route Right for You?
The Agreed Surveyor route works best where there is a reasonable level of trust and communication between neighbours. In some circumstances, it may still be preferable for each party to appoint their own surveyor — for example, where there is pre-existing tension or a particularly complex scheme such as deep basement excavations.
We are happy to discuss your situation and advise whether an Agreed Surveyor arrangement is appropriate, or whether separate Building Owner’s Surveyor and Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor appointments would be more suitable.