Do I Need a Party Wall Surveyor for Building a Conservatory?

A conservatory is one of the most popular ways to add extra space and value to your home. It brings in natural light, creates that perfect garden room, and is usually cheaper than a full-blown extension.

But before you start laying the foundations, there’s a key question to ask:

👉 Do I need a Party Wall Surveyor for building a conservatory?

The short answer? Yes—if your conservatory affects a shared (party) wall or your neighbour’s foundations.

In this guide, I’ll break down:

✅ When you do (and don’t) need a Party Wall Surveyor
✅ How the Party Wall Act applies to conservatories
✅ How to avoid neighbour disputes
✅ Party Wall costs and how to keep them low

When Do You Need a Party Wall Surveyor for a Conservatory?

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 comes into play if your conservatory affects a shared wall, boundary, or your neighbour’s foundations.

You’ll need to serve a Party Wall Notice and possibly appoint a Party Wall Surveyor if:

🔹 You’re building your conservatory up to the boundary line.
🔹 Your conservatory shares or attaches to an existing party wall.
🔹 You’re excavating within 3 metres of your neighbour’s foundations and going deeper than their footings.
🔹 You’re altering or demolishing an existing boundary or party wall to build the conservatory.

💡 Pro Tip: If your conservatory is built entirely on your land and away from the boundary, you likely won’t need a Party Wall Surveyor.

👉 Need help? Check out our Fixed Fee Party Wall Service.

How Does the Party Wall Act Apply to Conservatories?

The Party Wall Act protects your neighbour’s property from any work that could affect their:

✔ Foundations – Excavating too close can destabilize their property.
✔ Shared walls – Attaching your conservatory to a party wall can affect structural integrity.
✔ Boundary lines – Building directly on or astride the boundary triggers the Act.

If any of these apply, you’ll need to serve a Party Wall Notice before starting work.

What’s a Party Wall Notice for a Conservatory?

A Party Wall Notice informs your neighbour about your plans and gives them the chance to approve or raise concerns.

Here’s how it works:

📌 Serve notice at least 1 month before starting excavations.
📌 Your neighbour has 14 days to respond.
📌 If they don’t reply, send a final notice (giving them another 10 days).
📌 If they object or ignore the notice, you’ll need to appoint a Party Wall Surveyor.

💡 Pro Tip: Having a friendly chat with your neighbour before serving notice can help avoid unnecessary disputes.

👉 We can help serve your Party Wall Notice hassle-free.

What Happens If My Neighbour Objects?

If your neighbour objects to the conservatory build, here’s what happens:

1️⃣ Both parties appoint Party Wall Surveyors.
2️⃣ The surveyors draft a Party Wall Award—outlining how the work will be done safely and fairly.
3️⃣ If surveyors can’t agree, a Third Surveyor is brought in to make the final decision.
4️⃣ Once the Party Wall Award is agreed upon, you can legally begin building your conservatory.

💡 Want to save money? Get your neighbour to agree to use one Agreed Surveyor for both parties.

👉 See our Fixed Fee Party Wall options here.

What’s in a Party Wall Award for a Conservatory?

A Party Wall Award is a legally binding document that protects both you and your neighbour during the project. It includes:

✔ Details of the work – Where and how the conservatory will be built.
✔ Excavation plans – Showing the depth and method of foundation work.
✔ Precautionary measures – To prevent damage to neighbouring properties.
✔ Schedule of Condition – A “before” report of your neighbour’s property (to avoid false damage claims).
✔ Timelines & working hours – To minimize disruption.

💡 Tip: A solid Party Wall Award can save you thousands if disputes arise later.

Do I Need Building Control Approval for a Conservatory?

Most conservatories fall under permitted development and don’t require planning permission, but you’ll still need Building Control approval if:

✅ The conservatory is over 30m².
✅ The new walls or foundations don’t meet safety standards.
✅ You’re removing the external wall that separates your home from the conservatory.

💡 Pro Tip: Even if Building Control isn’t needed, the Party Wall Act still applies if you’re affecting a shared wall or neighbour’s foundations.

What Happens If You Skip the Party Wall Process?

Ignoring the Party Wall process can land you in hot water:

🚨 Neighbour could file for an injunction – Halting your project immediately.
💰 You’d be liable for any damage – Even minor cracks caused by foundation work.
⏰ Project delays & legal costs – Disputes can cost thousands and delay your conservatory build.

💡 Tip: It’s faster and cheaper to get the Party Wall Agreement sorted before starting.

👉 We’ll handle the Party Wall process for you.

How Much Does a Party Wall Agreement for a Conservatory Cost?

💡 Want to save money? Use an Agreed Surveyor and opt for a fixed-fee service.

👉 Check out our fixed-fee pricing here.

How to Keep Party Wall Costs Down for Conservatory Builds

✅ Talk to your neighbour early – A simple conversation can prevent disputes.
✅ Use an Agreed Surveyor – One surveyor for both parties halves the cost.
✅ Opt for a fixed-fee service – No surprises or hidden costs.

👉 See our fixed-fee Party Wall services here.

Final Thoughts

Building a conservatory is a great way to add space and value to your home, but if it affects a shared wall or your neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall Act will apply.

✔ Serve a Party Wall Notice before starting.
✔ Get a Party Wall Agreement in place.
✔ Use a trusted Party Wall Surveyor to avoid delays and disputes.

🚀 Ready to build your conservatory?

👉 Contact Fixed Price Party Wall today—we’ll handle your Party Wall Agreement quickly and at a fixed price!