Do I Need a Party Wall Surveyor for Structural Alterations to My Home?

Planning some serious structural changes to your home? Whether you’re removing load-bearing walls, adding an extension, or installing steel beams, structural alterations can completely transform your space.

But there’s an important question to ask before starting:

👉 Do I need a Party Wall Surveyor for structural alterations to my home?

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

In this guide, I’ll break down:

✅ When you do (and don’t) need a Party Wall Surveyor
✅ How to serve notice and avoid neighbour disputes
✅ The legal risks of skipping the process
✅ Costs and how to keep them low

When Do You Need a Party Wall Surveyor for Structural Alterations?

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies when structural changes could affect your neighbour’s property or a shared wall.

You’ll need to serve a Party Wall Notice and appoint a Party Wall Surveyor if your work involves:

🔹 Cutting into a party wall – e.g., inserting steel beams for an open-plan layout.
🔹 Removing a chimney breast attached to a shared wall.
🔹 Building on or near the boundary line – like adding an extension or conservatory.
🔹 Excavating near your neighbour’s foundations – within 3m and deeper than their footings.
🔹 Underpinning or strengthening shared walls.

💡 Pro Tip: Even internal structural changes (like knocking through a wall) can trigger the Act if they affect a shared wall.

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

What Counts as a Structural Alteration?

Here are some common structural changes that may trigger the Party Wall Act:

✔ Knocking through load-bearing walls to create open-plan spaces.
✔ Adding steel beams or RSJs that rest on a shared wall.
✔ Building an extension that attaches to a neighbour’s wall.
✔ Lowering floors (e.g., for basements or split-level layouts).
✔ Raising or altering roof structures that connect to shared walls.

💡 If the work affects a shared structure or neighbour’s property, the Party Wall Act applies.

What’s a Party Wall Notice for Structural Alterations?

If your project impacts a party wall or your neighbour’s property, you’ll need to serve a Party Wall Notice before starting.

Here’s how it works:

📌 Serve notice at least 2 months before starting work.
📌 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: Talking to your neighbour before serving notice can help avoid unnecessary disputes.

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

What Happens If My Neighbour Objects?

If your neighbour objects to the structural work, 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.
3️⃣ If surveyors can’t agree, a Third Surveyor is brought in to make the final decision.
4️⃣ Once the Party Wall Award is finalized, you can legally begin the work.

💡 Want to save on surveyor costs? 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 Structural Alterations?

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

✔ Details of the work – Plans showing how the structural alterations will be carried out.
✔ Precautionary measures – To prevent damage to shared walls or the neighbour’s property.
✔ Schedule of Condition – A detailed “before” report of the neighbour’s property (to avoid false damage claims).
✔ Timelines & working hours – To minimize disruption.

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

Do I Need Building Control Approval Too?

Yes—Building Control approval is required for most structural alterations, especially if they involve:

✅ Removing load-bearing walls.
✅ Inserting steel beams or RSJs.
✅ Lowering floors or raising ceilings.
✅ Significant changes to foundations or roof structures.

💡 Pro Tip: Building Control focuses on your home’s safety, while the Party Wall Surveyor ensures neighbouring properties aren’t affected. You may need both.

What Happens If You Skip the Party Wall Process?

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

🚨 Neighbour could file for an injunction – Halting your work immediately.
💰 You’d be liable for any damage – Even minor cracks or movement on their property.
⏰ Project delays & legal costs – Disputes can drag on and cost thousands.

💡 Tip: Always follow the Party Wall process for structural work—it’s quicker and cheaper in the long run.

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

How Much Does a Party Wall Agreement for Structural Alterations 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 Structural Alterations

✅ Talk to your neighbour early – It can prevent disputes before they happen.
✅ Use an Agreed Surveyor – One surveyor for both parties halves the cost.
✅ Choose a fixed-fee service – No surprises or hidden costs.

👉 See our fixed-fee Party Wall services here.

Final Thoughts

Structural alterations can totally transform your home—but if they affect a shared wall or your neighbour’s foundations, you’ll need to follow the Party Wall Act.

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

🚀 Ready to start your structural alterations?

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