Faulkner Surveyors for Loft Conversion Beverley

Thinking about converting your loft in Beverley? It is an exciting upgrade, but before the work begins, there is one thing many homeowners overlook: the Party Wall process.

Faulkner Surveyors help you handle this part smoothly and legally, without stress or surprises.

We specialise in helping Beverley homeowners who are planning loft conversion Beverley that may affect shared walls or neighbouring properties.

Whether you are building into a gable end, raising the roofline, or cutting into a party wall to install steel beams, we guide you through the legal steps so your project stays on track and in line with the Party Wall Act.

What Exactly Is a Party Wall—and Could Your Loft Plans Affect One?

A party wall is simply a wall that sits on the boundary between your home and your neighbour’s. In many cases, it’s the side wall that separates two terraced or semi-detached houses. Even if the wall is entirely on your side, it can still be classed as a party wall if it supports both properties.

When you’re converting a loft, there’s a good chance your plans will affect this wall.

For example:

Fitting steel beams into the wall for structural support
Raising or extending the roof
Building a dormer that touches or loads onto the shared wall

If any of these are part of your plans, you’ll likely need to follow the Party Wall Act. That means notifying your neighbour in writing before work begins, and possibly involving a surveyor to formalise the agreement.

What Happens If You Skip the Party Wall Process for a Loft Conversion Beverley?

Skipping the Party Wall process might seem like a shortcut, especially if you’re in a rush to start the build. But in reality, it can lead to big problems—both legally and financially.

If you don’t notify your neighbour or go through the proper channels, here’s what can happen:

Your neighbour can stop the work by getting a court injunction.
You could be held responsible for any damage, even if it’s not your fault.
Delays and legal costs can quickly mount up.
Your contractor may also refuse to continue without the right documentation in place.

In short, skipping the process can turn a straightforward project into a legal mess. Going through the proper steps may take a little extra time, but it protects you, your neighbour, and the overall success of your loft conversion Beverley.

Who Pays for the Party Wall Surveyor—You or the Neighbour?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is pretty straightforward in most cases.

If you’re the one doing the work (like a loft conversion), you’re usually responsible for covering the cost of the Party Wall surveyor.

This includes:

Your own surveyor (if appointed)
Your neighbour’s surveyor (if they decide to appoint their own)

Why? Because the project benefits you, not them. The law sees it as your responsibility to make sure your work doesn’t affect the neighbouring property, so it’s fair that you pick up the tab for keeping everything in order.

That said, if your neighbour makes unreasonable demands or causes unnecessary delays, there could be exceptions but that’s something we’d help you deal with if it comes up.

Is a Single Surveyor Enough—Or Will Both Sides Need Their Own?

It depends on how your neighbour responds to your Party Wall Notice.

There are two main routes:

Agreed Surveyor – If both you and your neighbour are happy to use the same impartial surveyor, only one person is needed. This is usually faster and more affordable.
Separate Surveyors – If your neighbour wants their own representative, then you’ll each appoint a surveyor. These two surveyors then work together to draft the Party Wall Award.

Both options are legally valid. Most of the time, we recommend trying for a single, agreed surveyor first, it keeps things simple and avoids extra costs.

But if the neighbour prefers to appoint their own, that’s totally fine too. We’re experienced with both approaches and will help guide you either way.

What’s the Worst That Can Happen with a Party Wall Dispute?

The worst-case scenario? Your neighbour disputes the work, refuses access, or claims damage, and there’s no agreement or survey in place.

This can quickly spiral into:

Legal action , including court injunctions to stop your build
Costly repairs if you’re blamed for damage (even if it’s not your fault)
Serious project delays , which impact your budget and builder schedule
Strained neighbour relationships , sometimes beyond repair

But the good news? Most of these issues can be avoided by simply following the Party Wall process from the start. Having a Party Wall Award in place protects both sides.

It gives you legal permission to carry out the work, and it gives your neighbour peace of mind that their property won’t be damaged or ignored.

Faulkner Surveyors are here to make sure none of those worst-case situations happen, and if a disagreement does come up, we’ll be right there to help resolve it fairly.