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The Case of the Careless Designer

The Case of the Careless Designer

It is a sad fact that contributors to a consumer forum are more likely to criticise party wall surveyors as being an expensive irrelevance than praise them for a job well done. Yes, there are party wall  surveyors who charge too much, but it is worth looking at some of the reasons why party wall surveyors’ fees may seem high- for example -poor, inadequate or inconsistent design  information. An experienced party wall surveyor will use their knowledge of building construction to spot problems.

Designers rarely show how their designs will affect the neighbouring properties and it is often the party wall surveyors who identify issues that should have been resolved at a much earlier stage. Identifying the issues involved in implementing a design is surely part of the designers’ responsibility. Too often a ‘designer’ is employed just to prepare the bare necessities required to gain planning consent and does not even visit the site.

We had a situation where the designer was proposing to build a timber and tile dormer for a loft conversion like the example in the photo. The party wall surveyors visited the adjoining owners’ property to record a schedule of condition and found that the party wall had already been built up in brickwork to full height for a loft conversion. The building owners’ designer had designed something that was impossible to build! This resulted in the building owners having to get their design amended, the party wall surveyors having to spend additional time and (perhaps worst of all) the building owners discovering that they had to make a contribution to their neighbours (that they had not budgeted for!) to make use of the wall,.

  • Remember, party wall services do not have to be expensive. Talking to neighbours and avoiding conflicts early and providing correct, timely and consistent information is cheaper than resolving things later.
  • Show relevant information about the neighbours’ property. Consider how your proposals will affect your neighbours’ properties at an early stage.

If you are a building owner carrying out work to your property that falls within the scope of the Act or if you are an adjoining owner where your neighbour is carrying out work to their property, Alan Riley Associates can provide you with timely, economical expert advice to guide you through the requirements of the Act.

For free advice, contact Alan Riley MFPWS on 07770 928317 or email mail@alanrileyassociates.co.uk