Party Wall Surveyor Watford – Faulkner Surveyors
RICS-Qualified Party Wall Experts for Homeowners Across Watford and Hertfordshire
Planning a building project in Watford that touches a shared wall, boundary or neighbour’s foundation? You might need a Party Wall Notice or Award under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
At Faulkner Surveyors we act for homeowners and developers in Watford and surrounding Hertfordshire, handling notices, condition surveys, awards and neighbour disputes so your project proceeds smoothly and legally..
Why You Might Need a Party Wall Surveyor in Watford
Watford has a diverse housing stock — Victorian terraces around Watford Fields, 1930s semis across North Watford, modern developments near Cassiobury, and tighter terraced streets near Bushey and Oxhey. These properties often sit close together, meaning even small home improvements can fall under the Party Wall Act.
You’re likely to need a Party Wall Surveyor for works such as:
Loft conversions requiring steel beams into a shared (party) wall
Rear extensions with new foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour
Removing or rebuilding garden boundary walls
Converting or opening-up structural walls that adjoin another property
Building directly on, or very close to, the boundary line
Serving the correct notices and obtaining an Award when required protects both sides and ensures your project can legally go ahead.
What is the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall Act is an essential piece of legislation that applies throughout England and Wales. The act provides protocols for building work near or on party walls, and it sets down guidelines on how to prevent or resolve disputes that may arise as a result of these works. The act ensures that every party involved in building work is notified beforehand so that an agreement can be reached and disputes can be avoided or resolved before they escalate.
Faulkner’s Party Wall Surveyors
Faulkner’s Party Wall Surveyors Watford have years of experience in party wall matters, the team at Faulkner’s is dedicated to providing a professional service that protects the interests of all parties involved. The company is based in Watford, making it the ideal choice for anyone looking for party wall experts in the area.
How Can Faulkner’s Help You?
If you’re planning on carrying out any building work that affects a shared or party wall, then it’s essential to follow the guidelines stated in the Party Wall Act. Faulkner’s Party Wall Surveyors can help you in the following ways:
Preparing and Serving Notices
Faulkner’s will prepare the necessary notices and serve them on behalf of the building owner. Notices are served to inform the affected parties about the proposed building work and provide them with the opportunity to respond.
Building Owner’s Surveyor
If you’re a building owner carrying out works to your property near or on party walls, Faulkner’s can assist you in appointing a surveyor who will help you develop your plans and ensure they meet the requirements of the Party Wall act.
Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor
If you’re an adjoining property owner, Faulkner’s can assist you in appointing a surveyor to represent your interests and ensure that your property is not damaged during the building work.
Party Wall Agreement
Faulkner’s can help you to draft a party agreement document that outlines all the necessary details of the building work, including the type of work taking place, the expected start and end dates, relevant drawings and other details specific to your situation.
Faulkners Surveyors can help
If you’re planning any building work near or on a shared wall or Party fence wall in Watford, get in touch with Faulkner’s Party Wall Surveyors today. With their expertise and experience in dealing with Party Wall Act matters, they can help you navigate the legislation and ensure a smooth process from start to finish.
Not all, but most do. Many Watford homes sit close together, especially terraces near Watford Fields and semis in North Watford. If your extension involves new foundations, cutting into a shared wall or building on the boundary, you will likely need to serve a Party Wall Notice.
If neighbours consent quickly, things can move in a few days. If a neighbour dissents, expect around 2–6 weeks depending on access, complexity and responsiveness. Properties with multiple adjoining owners (very common in WD17 and WD18 terraces) take slightly longer.
Objections alone don’t stop your project. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 doesn’t give neighbours the power to block lawful works. Their objection simply triggers the surveyor process, leading to a Party Wall Award that sets out how the works must be carried out safely.
Yes — it protects both sides. Older Watford properties, especially those near Bushey and Oxhey, often have pre-existing cracks. A Schedule of Condition proves what was already there and prevents false damage claims.
Definitely — often more so. Flats in Watford may involve multiple adjoining owners (freeholder + leaseholders). This means more notices and sometimes more surveyors. We handle all requirements and ensure every party is correctly notified.