We are committed to protecting the health of our clients and our team. Our coronavirus surveying mitigation measures that we have put in place are designed to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. We are following the government advice on working in other people’s homes in addition to carrying out our own risk assessments to ensure that we can safely survey properties at the current COVID alert level.

Before your survey

• At the time of booking, you will be asked if anyone at the inspection property is self-isolating or has any symptoms associated with coronavirus (a fever, a new & persistent cough or flu-like symptoms) or has been asked to shield (i.e. those who are clinically extremely vulnerable).
  • If anyone is isolating or shielding, your survey will be postponed to a later date.
• You will also be asked if anyone in the property is over 70 or in a high-risk group.
  • In these cases, individual risks will be discussed and measures to mitigate risks will be agreed. These could include vacating the property for the duration of the internal part of the survey, discussing how to avoid close contact with the surveyor if vacating the property is not possible, and making sure all parties have a thorough understanding of what the survey involves and what precautions the surveyor will take.
• Our staff are self-monitoring daily for any signs or symptoms of coronavirus and will isolate immediately if they have any concerns. In this case, surveys will be rearranged with an alternative surveyor whenever possible, or postponed to a later date.

During your survey

• Whenever possible, we will ask that properties are vacated for the duration of the survey. The property may be vacant long-term, or could be vacated by the occupiers in line with government guidance.
• If properties cannot be vacated, occupiers must stay at least 2m from the surveyor at all times. The best way to achieve this is by staying in one designated room for the duration of the survey, then leaving that room when the surveyor needs to inspect it.
• The surveyor or booking team will confirm whether anyone who lives at the inspection property is shielding, self-isolating, or has any symptoms associated with coronavirus (a fever, a new & persistent cough or flu-like symptoms).
  • If there is deemed to be a risk, the survey will be postponed to a later date.
• When on site, our surveyors maintain strict personal hygiene, using hand sanitisers, gloves, face coverings, wipes and soap & water at regular intervals and before and after touching surfaces. Surfaces that are touched are wiped down afterwards to reduce risk still further.
• We ask that occupiers leave all internal doors open, to minimise the need for surveyors to touch surfaces.
• Our surveyors have been asked to decline handshakes and maintain a distance of at least 2m from others at all times.

We are very pleased to announce that our Party Wall Surveyor West Midlands Website is now live.

For all Party Wall Matters anywhere in the West Midlands Contact us on

Freephone 080000 314313 where you will be advised by Carl Brady MFPWS on all matters to do with Party Wall in the West Midlands Area

• Party Wall Notices
• Schedule of Condition Surveys
• Party Wall Awards ( Agreements)
• Advice for Building owners and Adjoining Owners

Call Carl Today for an initial conversation about your Party Wall Requirements

A Party Wall Agreement (technically called an “award”) is the document produced by the two party wall surveyors (or the “agreed surveyor”) acting for the respective owners.

It will usually consist of three parts:

1. The award itself i.e. a set of guidelines governing how the proposed works should progress incorporating and specifics to the building works and the neighbouring property
2. A “schedule of condition” of the adjoining property, this report is often supported by a set of photographs along with information on current defects or lack of them
3. Drawing(s) showing the details of the proposed works, so all are informed as to what works are to take place and where,

The award will normally be based upon a draft document, as per the Party Wall etc Act 1996, this is then amended according to the details of the specific work. It should clearly state details of the two properties, their legal owners and their owners’ addresses. It should also contain full details of the two surveyors (or agreed surveyor) and the “Third Surveyor” (if an “agreed surveyor” is used there will be no Third Surveyor).

Other items covered include:

• Brief details of the proposed works
• Working hours; normally 8am to 5.30pm weekdays only of residential work
• Assurances regarding the contractor’s public liability insurance
• Indemnities by the building owner in favour of the adjoining owner
• Access arrangement for the surveyors
• A time limit for commencement of the works, usually 12 months

The adjoining owner’s surveyor’s fee
Once the award has been agreed between the two surveyors it is signed and  “published” with copies sent to the building owner and adjoining owner. Although there is a 14 day right of appeal if either owner believes the award to have been improperly drawn up the award this is seldom observed.

An additional copy of the award is given to the building owner to be passed on to their contractor.

The adjoining owner of course once a Correct and proper notice has been served upon them can consent to the works or consent to the works subject to a Schedule of Condition be carried out, if they do then this ends the PartyWall Process and forms the simplest way of achieving a Party Wall Agreement”

We can assist with the creating and serving of the correct Notices so Why not call us today for some free advice and review of your project, it can often be the quickest and least costly way of achieving the important and correct documentation you require to get your project underway.be quicker and

Call Us On 08000 314313

We were recently asked the question ” My builder said that because I am carrying out a loft conversion under “permitted development” rights rather than having applied for Planning conversion I do not need to do anything regarding the party wall and my neighbour is that correct?”

In short – If you are Cutting into the party wall between you and your neighbour to install steel beams for your loft conversion then yes you are required by law ( The Party Wall Act etc 1996) to serve a notice on your neighbour advising them of the works you intend to carry out, and you need to do this at least 2 months prior to carrying out the works

Just because you may not need to apply for planning condition, does not give the right to cut into the fabric of your neighbours property without advising them of your intentions, so If you are intending to do any conversion works ensure that the required Party Wall Act requirements are being met, It could be a costly exercise to just go ahead and carry out works without the proper procedure being adhered to.

Contact us today to discuss your Party Wall Requirements on 08000 314313

If you have received a Party Wall Notice from your neighbour or their PW Surveyors you have a few options for details on the notice and usually the return/Response form.
Call us and we can help you with this form.

Discussing what building work or excavations area about to take place we can help you ensure that whilst your neighbour can  carry out the works you get the assurance that your building will be safe and that all practices are adhered to, like reasonable working hours, access rights , reduction of nuisance etc

A quick phone call and we can look at the details as assist with the best way to answer the notice that has been served to you.

And our service will usually be paid for by your neighbour, as they have the right to carry out the works but you are not to be out of pocket for the expenses.

Call us today for your Free chat and advice on 08000 314313

If you have a forthcoming project in KENT that you have been informed or you think may require notices to the be serviced in regards to the the Party Wall Act 1996 then our associate office in KENT can help.

They ensure that your notices are correct, and served in the appropriate manner, that all correspondence with adjoining owners is quick allowing you to hopefully progress with the consent of your neighbours quickly, however if further services are required such as a condition schedule of a property or for a full Party Wall Award to be drafted then we are able to provide these for you.

Just call them on 01277 671765 and they discuss your project and confirm all fees so you know what s to be expected.

Getting your party Wall notices correctly can save you a lot of trouble and expense down the line, call them today on 01277 671765  or see the website www.pwskent.co.uk

We can ensure that the correct notices are serve to your neighbours , having checked your projects drawing and what is involved to then product the correct information on the notice and serve to the right people.

If you wish to carry out this yourself we provide our Free template for you to use. just make sure you quote the correct sections as an error now will render the protection and and any agreement null and void.

See our Page here to find out more about Free Party Wall Notice templates