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.
​
If you have any questions about the party wall act, please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
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.
​
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
​
CAN I START WITHOUT A PARTY WALL AWARD?
​
You can’t start any of the notifiable works without a consent from your neighbour or until a Party Wall Award has been served. However, you may be able to do some works related to the project which have been approved by planning approval for example. Lots of people serve the notices and even get an award in place before planning is approved to save time.
WHO WILL PAY THE FEES?
​
Most of the time, the Surveyors fees are covered by the Building Owner. The cost of two different surveyors will usually be higher than that of an Agreed Surveyor. It is worth knowing that the time to agree the Party Wall Award might also be longer.
​
CAN I JUST SERVE MY OWN PARTY WALL NOTICE?
​
Yes, you are able to produce and serve your own notices… But if they are served incorrectly they are invalid, and you will need to start all over again which could delay the start of your project. Having this done early on by a Party Wall Surveyor will deal with this potential risk.
DO I NEED TO INFORM MY NEIGHBOUR IF I WANT TO PUT UP A SHELF OR MOVE AN ELECTRICAL SOCKET?​
​
This sort of work would be considered to be minor and such works would not need to be notified under the Act.
IS A TIMBER FENCE A PARTY WALL?
​
No, although references are sometimes made to shared or 'party fences'. These do not fall under the Act..
​
WHEN DO I NEED TO NOTIFY MY NEIGHBOURS?
​
Timing is really important, so reviewing your project with a Party Wall Surveyor to run through your project and check if any elements will require serving notice removes stress from the project early on, allowing you to concentrate on the rest of the job. We would recommend getting in touch as soon as a planning application has been submitted, if you intend to begin works promptly.
CAN MY NEIGHBOUR STOP MY PROJECT?
​
Your neighbour can’t stop you carrying out the project by not responding within the required timeframe. If this happens then the Act allows you to appoint another Surveyor on their behalf so that a Party Wall Award can be served. You can’t have an Agreed Surveyor in this scenario.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS IF I DON’T SERVE A NOTICE?
​
It is illegal to begin any notifiable works without a notice. Your neighbour has the right to serve an injunction and stop the work.
If you have done some work which might hinder your neighbour’s ability to have a project of their own, without serving the correct notice, you will be liable to compensate for any remediation or damages caused under common law. You will have to cover the cost for undoing this work and any related design fees.
CAN THE ACT BE USED TO RESOLVE A BOUNDARY DISPUTE?
​
No, The Act is not the tool to resolve boundary disputes and party wall surveyors have no powers to do so… The Act cannot be applied until a boundary dispute is resolved. In the case of a section 6 notice, which deals with excavations within a certain distance of the adjoining owner's property, the boundary location is irrelevant.