BASILDON
THE PARTY WALL PEOPLE
We specialise in implementing the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 in the Basildon area. We can prepare and serve party wall notices,
undertake schedules of condition and if required, produce and serve party wall awards (party wall agreements).
Our 100% 5-star rating on Google speaks to our professional, personal and expert service
​We hold membership with the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
We carry Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
​The Party Wall People are based in Chelmsford, Essex and travel to client’s premises all over the southeast of England.
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If you have any questions about the party wall act, please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
WHAT IS THE PARTY WALL ACT?
The Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 sets out to protect property owners' interests when a project is required, while at the same time ensuring that the project can continue in a timely manner.
The Act requires that when an owner of a property carries out certain works such as digging a foundation within 3m of their neighbour's property, removing a chimney from a party wall, cutting into a party wall for steelwork or building a new wall on the boundary (line of junction), they inform all affected neighbours of their intention by serving the correct notices.
BASILDON: A SURVEYOR'S VIEW
When reviewing party wall matters in Basildon, we always take the area's specific history and architectural vernacular into account. As a New Town designated in 1949, Basildon’s housing stock is heavily defined by post-war development, featuring a high concentration of 1950s to 1970s terraced and semi-detached properties, alongside some more modern infill estates. Because many of these mid-century homes were built with relatively simple layouts and are now reaching an age where modernization is required, we see a vast number of homeowners undertaking rear extensions, loft conversions, and internal structural alterations. These projects frequently involve cutting into shared party walls or excavating near adjacent properties, making the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 a critical component of almost any significant home improvement project in the borough.
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From a ground conditions perspective, anyone planning an extension in Basildon must be prepared to deal with the notorious London Clay. The local geology is heavily dominated by this stiff, fine-grained soil, which is highly susceptible to "shrink-swell" behaviour depending on seasonal moisture levels. Because of this, standard shallow foundations are often insufficient. Building control frequently requires deeper trench-fill foundations or piled raft systems, especially if there are large trees nearby that affect the soil's moisture content.
This local geology is exactly why party wall surveyors are so vital in the Basildon area. When a Building Owner is required to dig deeper foundations to satisfy building regulations in clay soil, they almost inevitably trigger Section 6 of the Act (excavating within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring property). At The Party Wall People, we understand the engineering challenges of Basildon’s soil and the structural makeup of its mid-century homes. We ensure that your deep excavations are properly notified, and that adjoining properties are safeguarded against the risks of ground movement or subsidence during the works. Get in touch today for free advice.
