There is the option given when notice is served on a neighbour to agree to the appointment of one Surveyor as an 'Agreed Surveyor'. For the neighbour undertaking the works this would be the preferred option as generally it is quicker, due to the availability of all concerned to visit site, agreeing document content and the painstaking process of having to post documents out for signature. This will also be more cost effective for the Building Owner with only one Surveyor's fee to pay.
Some neighbours to the building works (Adjoining Owner) often find that this a difficult concept to understand and do not believe that the Surveyor will be 'impartial' and will truly represent them. More often than not we find that the neighbours are not in dispute on a Prty Wall matter but quite often it is a Planning or Right to Light issue with the hope that the Party Wall Surveyor will resolve.
The fact is in our experience that in 95% of the projects we undertake with Surveyors appointed by both parties is that after reviewing the proposals and inspecting the site that agreement is reached almost immediately, on the rights under the act or if further information is required. When these discussions have been undertaken in the presence of the Adjoining Owner, we have been asked who we represent ? When we send our award over to the other Surveyor little or no comments are made to its content.
On straight forward construction projects such as rear or loft extensions, we would suggest that making an appointment as an Agreed Surveyor is suitable and sufficient. A competent Party Wall Surveyor will have the experience to determine the rights for both owners, minimising the risk of property damage and in addition have the foresight to anticpate future maintenance problems long after the builder has moved on.
On basement projects due to the increased risk potential for significant damage quite often a Surveyor will not accept an appointment as an Agreed Surveyor and in this scenario the benefit of Two Surveyors working on a project are realised.
