The Role of a Party Wall Surveyor
The term "surveyor" is defined in the Act as any person who is not a party to the works. That means that neither the property owner, their architect nor their builder is allowed to act as the surveyor since they have a vested interest in the building works proceeding.
The person chosen to conduct the party wall survey should be knowledgeable about construction and be well versed in party wall procedures. Ideally they should have a relevant qualification which means that building surveyors and engineers are popular choices.
The Party Wall Surveyor will prepare a document known as a "party wall award”. This agreement lays down recommended guidelines for the work to progress and covers details such as dates of commencement of the work, building contractor's public liability insurance, reasonable working hours, etc.
The surveyor will concentrate on drawing up a schedule of condition of your neighbours property in order to properly assess damages should there be any damages inflicted on your neighbours property during construction works.