Boundary
Line
Extension
Planning to extend your property?
If you’re contemplating building or digging near the edge of your land, then knowing your boundary lines becomes especially important.
We are here at Faulkner Surveyors to which you the house owner or the homeowner can help to make sense and often remove the stress from the situation.
Here, we explain what you need to know about boundary line extensions — and how to ensure that you keep everything above board, and on the side of the law, as well as getting on with your neighbours.
What Is a Boundary Line Extension—And Why Do You Need One for Your Building Plans?
This could be anything that borders right up to the edge of your property (or pretty near it). It could be a new side extension, a garage, a garden wall.
Why is this important? Your legal boundary is as far as you can build. Nudge over it by just a few inches and you could open yourself up to complaints, planning troubles or legal challenges from your neighbour.
Often it’s the case that the physical fence or hedge you see in your garden is not in fact the legal boundary.
That’s where we come in. Here at Faulkner Surveyors, we eliminate the confusion about where boundaries lie.
So before you begin laying bricks, you know you’re building in the right spot — with no second-guessing down the line.
When Does a Boundary Line Extension Require a Party Wall Surveyor’s Involvement?
You’ll need a party wall surveyor when your work falls under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996—which often happens when you’re building close to or directly on a boundary line.
Here are a few scenarios:
- You’re building a new wall along the boundary with a neighbour.
- You’re extending your property right up to, or on, a shared (party) wall.
- You plan to dig foundations within 3 or 6 metres of your neighbour’s building, depending on the depth of the excavation.
In any of these cases, it’s a legal requirement to notify your neighbour in writing. If they disagree or don’t respond, a party wall surveyor will need to be appointed—either by you, them, or both sides.
At Faulkner Surveyors, we act as a neutral third party, making sure the process stays fair and that both properties are protected throughout the build.
What if the Extension Strays Across or Nears a Neighbour’s Land?
Encroaching on your neighbours’ land, even if it’s just a little, can have serious legal consequences. This is called an encroachment, and it can result in conflict, forced corrections to your plans or even a day in court.
Sometimes, homeowners build too close by accident, because they didn’t know precisely where the boundary was. In other instances, the neighbour could say that their property or privacy is being affected without the boundary technically being crossed.
In either case, if the extension is being built in a small space, chances are it will lead to friction. And they have to be, that is why you really need to have a proper boundary survey before you build.
With Faulkner Surveyors, it means you’ll receive clear and correct boundary advice, keeping your project where it should be and off the neighbour’s land!
What Faulkner Surveyors Clients Say
Why should you choose Faulkner Surveyors to help you with your Boundary Line Dispute?
Picking the right surveyor can be crucial to the success or failure of your project. At Faulkner Surveyors, we provide experience, clearness and our quiet down-to-earth technique to every one of our boundary line extension tasks.
Here’s what sets us apart:
1. We speak in plain English. No confusing jargon — just straightforward, sensible advice.
2. We are fully qualified and regulated, so you know we know what we’re doing.
3. We are fair to both sides, helping prevent unnecessary conflict.
4. We provide quick, responsive support for all your questions and needs.
We realize that construction can be a headache. Our role is to remove the legal and technical work from your plate — for you and all of the others who just want to make your house a home you love, without this added uncertainty.