Many London refurbishments — extensions, basements, loft conversions and structural alterations near a boundary — fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which means notifiable work and, often, a party wall award before you can build.
The Act protects neighbours when you build on or near the line of junction, cut into a party wall, or excavate close to an adjoining structure. Getting it right early avoids disputes and delay.
We identify party-wall risk at design stage and coordinate notices and awards with RICS sister-company surveying support, so the schedule of works and the build stay aligned.
Typically when you cut into or alter a party wall, build on the boundary, or excavate within three or six metres of a neighbour’s structure below their foundations — common in rear extensions, basements and underpinning. We flag which notices are needed as part of the design.
Notifiable work requires formal notice to adjoining owners, who may consent or appoint a surveyor. A party wall award (and usually a schedule of condition of the neighbour’s property) is agreed before work starts. We prepare the technical information surveyors need so awards are settled without unnecessary delay.
We sequence party-wall awards with planning, Licence to Alter and the construction programme. That means the heavy structural stages only begin once awards are in place — protecting both you and your neighbours.
One team for design, approvals, surveying and build — across prime London.
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