ROMFORD
THE PARTY WALL PEOPLE
We are experts in implementing the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 in Romford. We can prepare and serve party wall notices,
we undertake schedules of condition and if required, produce and serve party wall awards.
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.
WHY WOULD THE PARTY WALL ACT BE RELEVANT TO MY PROJECT IN ROMFORD?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 covers specific aspects of construction work; changes to an existing party structures (shared walls for example), the construction of new walls at (or next to) the boundary and excavation within 3 or 6 metres of a shared or adjoining structure. An owner proposing to undertake any such work (referred to in the act as the building owner) is required to notify in writing their neighbours.
If the owner of the neighbouring property (known as the adjoining owner) does not respond to or consent to the notice, a dispute arises and both parties must appoint a surveyor. They can also appoint a single ‘agreed’ surveyor. The surveyors produce a document called a party wall award sometimes referred to as a party wall agreement.
The award confirms the building owner’s right to undertake the work but only in a way that minimises the risk of damage and ensures that the occupants of the adjoining owner’s property do not suffer unnecessary inconvenience. As part of the process, the existing condition of the adjoining owner’s property is recorded so that if damage is reported either during or following the works, there is a prior record to check it against.
If you need help with any of the above, we can provide you with a fee proposal that is bespoke to your project - contact us
ROMFORD: A SURVEYOR'S VIEW
Romford’s residential landscape is a story of two halves: the historic core with its Victorian and Edwardian terraces, and the prestigious Gidea Park "Garden Suburb," renowned for its early 20th-century architectural innovation.
In Gidea Park, many homes are part of a Conservation Area, meaning any party wall work—especially loft conversions or chimney breast removals—must be handled with extreme care to preserve the original character. In the denser parts of Romford, we often deal with "multi-adjoining owner" situations, where a single rear extension may require notices to be served on three or even four different neighbours due to the tight configuration of the plots.
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The geology of Romford is dominated by the London Clay, but it is often interspersed with River Terrace Deposits (sand and gravel) as you move toward the Beam River. For homeowners, this means ground conditions can change rapidly. When excavating for an extension, the presence of London Clay requires deep footings—often 2.5 metres or more if there are nearby trees—to prevent seasonal movement. We ensure your party wall award includes a detailed method statement for these deep excavations, protecting your neighbour’s foundations from the risk of lateral heave or settlement.
