BENFLEET
THE PARTY WALL PEOPLE
We work with people in Benfleet who need help with the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 . We can serve party wall notices,
visit properties and conduct schedules of condition and as needed, serve party wall awards (party wall agreements).
Our 100% 5-star rating on Google speaks to our professional, personal and expert service
​We hold memberships with the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
We have both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
​The Party Wall People are 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.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PARTY WALL ACT
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (the “Act”) confers rights on an owner which may not otherwise exist. The Act grants rights to the person(s) wanting to carry out building works which are specifically caught by the Act. You can read about some of these here.
It also provides important protection for the owners of neighbouring properties, who typically have no desire for such works to take place.
If you are a property owner planning to undertake work to a party structure it is very important that you follow the statutory provisions of the Act.
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The Courts take a dim view of undertaking work and failing to comply with the act. The Courts have also confirmed that any dispute arising from work to a Party Wall should first be resolved by the provisions of the the act before an owner resorts to legal action. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is therefore the primary legislation determining disputes on Party Wall related matters.
If you need assistance with a project in Benfleet please contact us for free advice and a bespoke quotation.
We would be happy to help you.
BENFLEET: A SURVEYOR'S VIEW
Benfleet’s topography is a defining feature. Ranging from the low-lying areas near the tidal estuary up to the steep inclines of Thundersley and Hadleigh, the architectural vernacular is a mix of late-Victorian homes and expansive mid-to-late 20th-century detached housing. Because so many properties are built on significant gradients, party wall matters in Benfleet frequently involve retaining structures. If a homeowner is excavating to level a sloped garden for a new rear extension, they are often altering the lateral support of the neighbour’s land, making a rigorous party wall award essential.
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The geology here varies dramatically with the elevation. The higher ground sits on Bagshot Formation (sands and gravels) and Claygate Member, while the lower areas are heavy London Clay. This transition can cause perched water tables where water gets trapped between the sand and clay layers. When digging deep foundations for a new extension in Benfleet, we pay close attention to water management in the method statement, ensuring that any de-watering during the build doesn't cause subsidence to the adjoining property's footings.
