These are people appointed to determine any dispute between Owners in relation to matters described in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
They must be impartial, take care, and proceed diligently.
They must ensure that the Owners' rights over the wall are respected and protected, and may not concern themselves with the Owners' personal interests.
The Owners cannot instruct or direct the surveyor(s) or interfere in the process.
The Act requires that none of the Owners can act as Pary Wall Surveyors, and this may also apply to family members.
At least one Surveyor has to be appointed, and this is known as an Agreed Surveyor.
An appointment as a Party Wall Surveyor is personal - this means that a company, or practice, cannot be appointed, but a named employee can be.
Party Wall etc. Act
Party Wall Surveyors' fees are generally costed using an hourly rate since it isn't possible to determine accurately the time that is needed on a particular dispute.
Hourly rates can vary from £40, with an average of £120. Higher rates can be paid depending on the type of work involved, the location, and the individual Surveyor.
(Central London Surveyors are the most expensive (Note: 03/2013, rates of £200 - £250 per hour reported for work in South London)). Total costs can vary from about £300 upwards for each Surveyor for each dispute.
The Owner(s) should get competitive quotes from several Party Wall Surveyors. The Owner and successful Surveyor will then sign a formal agreement which will outline the terms and conditions of the appointment.
It can be expected that a Surveyor will include a condition that their fees will be paid by that Owner, should the Owner who is eventually named in the Award as liable to pay, does not.
Conventionally all the fees are usually paid by the Building Owner, but the Surveyor(s) can decide that each Owner should pay a part of the cost.
Hourly rates can vary from £40, with an average of £120. Higher rates can be paid depending on the type of work involved, the location, and the individual Surveyor.
(Central London Surveyors are the most expensive (Note: 03/2013, rates of £200 - £250 per hour reported for work in South London)). Total costs can vary from about £300 upwards for each Surveyor for each dispute.
The Owner(s) should get competitive quotes from several Party Wall Surveyors. The Owner and successful Surveyor will then sign a formal agreement which will outline the terms and conditions of the appointment.
It can be expected that a Surveyor will include a condition that their fees will be paid by that Owner, should the Owner who is eventually named in the Award as liable to pay, does not.
Conventionally all the fees are usually paid by the Building Owner, but the Surveyor(s) can decide that each Owner should pay a part of the cost.