Why choose Hourican & Associates?
We are specialist regulated Party Wall surveyors and will always ensure our clients' interests are protected during building works.
Accredited
Hourican & Associates specialise in all Party Wall matters in London and are fully qualified members of the FPWS, Pyramus & Thisbe Club and regulated by RIC's, CIOB & CABE.
Thorough
We pay attention to the detail & are experts in all Party Wall matters, we ensure the protection supplied by the Party Wall Act is in place & accurately applied to your project.
Professional
We draw upon a wealth of experience and professional qualifications to ensure that we can assist our clients in the most cost and time effective way possible.
Experienced
We are specialist Party Wall surveyors with a wealth of experience working in London on projects of all sizes, always ensuring our clients are fully protected by the Party Wall Act.
We are the Party Wall Experts
Hourican & Associates are a leading chartered building consultancy in London we specialise in all Party Wall matters.
Party wall surveying
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 covers three distinct types of work; alterations to party structures (usually walls but may also be floors), the construction of new walls at the boundary and excavation close to neighbouring properties.
These are some typical examples of work that is likely to be covered by the Act:
- Cutting beams into a party wall as part of a loft conversion
- Removing chimney breasts that are attached to a party wall
- Excavating for the foundations to a new extension within 3m of a neighbouring or shared structure
- Underpinning a party wall to facilitate a basement extension
Where work falls within the scope of the Act it is necessary for a building owner to serve notice and obtain the affected adjoining owner’s consent; if that consent is not forthcoming the parties are deemed to be ‘in dispute’ under the Act and surveyors must be appointed so that the dispute can be resolved by way of a Party Wall Agreement (technically called an ‘Award’).
If the two appointed surveyors fail to agree upon any of the issues in dispute, they can make a referral to a previously selected Third Surveyor.
Meet the team
Our expert Party Wall surveyors are qualified & completely understand buildings and building processes, we are ready to help you ensure that your building and interests are fully protected during building works.
Richard
Hourican
Company Director
Richard
Littleproud
Surveyor
Laura
Quigley
Office Manager
Sinead
Gorman
Accounts Manager
Anthony
White
Construction Manager
Projects we have been appointed on
We've worked on thousands of building projects requiring compliance with the Party Wall Act, here are some of the projects our Party Wall Surveyors have been involved in across London.
Richard has acted as my Party wall surveyor and has has been incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process - he has a great set of contacts so if he doesn’t know the answer to something, he’ll know a man you does - throughly recommend
Our friend introduced Richard to us to help on party wall matters. His work was delivered in a very efficient and timely way with high quality. Great experience and highly recommended.
I first met Richard in Sept 2016 for a coffee, he went through his services and we gave him a trial run on a fairly complex party wall award requirement for a mid terrace in Fulham SW6. He booked the Schedule of Condition survey the following day and had the awards in my email within the week. Richard is now our main recommended PWS and since then has completed 100s of jobs for our clients. Richard is courteous, strong on customer service, good value, extremely knowledgeable and always a pleasure to deal with.
I have worked with Richard for few years now and have nothing but praise. Fast acting, fair costing and thorough work. Clear communication is given throughout which makes working with Richard so much easier.
I have worked with Richard on various basement projects in London and always found him very quick to respond to any emails and gets the party wall awards in place quickly with a fixed costs. He is our go to Party Wall surveyor..
This is the second time I’ve used their party wall services. I find Richard to be very knowledgeable and always has time to answer my questions. I’ll recommend his services to my friends.
FAQ's About Party Wall Surveying in London
Planning building works near a shared boundary? Our expert London Party Wall Surveyors at Hourican Associates have answered some common questions to help you understand your rights and obligations under the Party Wall Act 1996. Serving all areas of London, we’re here to help.
A Party Wall Agreement (also known as a Party Wall Award) is required under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when undertaking works that affect a shared wall, boundary, or structure between properties. Examples include building on or astride a boundary, excavating close to a neighbouring structure, or cutting into a party wall. Before starting work, you must serve notice on adjoining owners. For more details, see our What is a Party Wall Agreement guide.
A Party Wall Surveyor (or sometimes two surveyors where adjoining owners dissent) acts impartially under the Act. The surveyor reviews proposed works, serves or responds to notices, inspects affected structures, and prepares a legally binding Party Wall Award that sets out how the works should proceed, protecting the rights of everyone involved.
Choosing our London Party Wall Surveyors means working with a team that combines legal expertise, building knowledge, and local experience. We are fully accredited and understand the unique complexities of London's construction environment. We guide you through the Party Wall process smoothly and professionally, helping you avoid disputes and delays.
At Hourican Associates, our Party Wall Surveyors in London are fully qualified, accredited, and regulated by leading bodies such as RICS, FPWS, CIOB, and CABE. We combine deep legal knowledge with practical experience to ensure your rights and obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 are fully addressed.
If the work falls under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must serve a formal notice to all adjoining owners. They may consent or dissent. If dissent is raised, surveyors must be appointed to agree on a Party Wall Award before any work starts. Acting without following this legal process can result in injunctions or legal disputes.
If the adjoining owner does not respond within 14 days of receiving a Party Wall Notice, they are deemed to dissent under the law. At that point, either party can appoint a surveyor—or an agreed surveyor—to produce a binding Party Wall Award. For more information, see our Dispute Resolution services page.
Costs vary depending on the complexity and scope of works. At Hourican Associates, typical fees for standard residential properties in London are transparent and competitive. We can give you a fixed quote for clear works with minimal surveyor involvement, and an estimate for more complex cases involving multiple parties and disputes.
To get a precise cost based on your project, view our Contact Us page and send us your plans for a tailored quote from a qualified London Party Wall Surveyor.
Yes. Loft conversions often involve cutting into a party wall to insert structural supports, or raising the party wall, which requires notice under the Party Wall Act. Basement extensions generally need excavation near neighbours’ structures. If you’re planning such works, contact our specialist basement conversion advice page to check whether you need a formal Party Wall Notice.
Hourican Associates serve all areas of London. Whether you’re in Central, North, East, South or West London, our Party Wall Surveyors have local expertise in every borough. For details and case studies in your area, see our London Party Wall Surveyors page.
All our surveyors are fully accredited and regulated professionals. We are members of FPWS and Pyramus & Thisbe Club and regulated by RICS, CIOB, and CABE. These qualifications ensure that when you hire our Party Wall Surveyors, you receive expert, legal-compliant service.
To get started, simply contact us for a free consultation. We’ll review your proposals, help you understand if the Party Wall etc. Act applies to your project, and guide you through each step so your rights are protected and obligations are met by expert London Party Wall Surveyors.
Latest Party Wall News & Expert Advice
Stay up to date with expert insights, legal updates, and practical guidance on party wall matters in London. Our chartered surveyors share valuable news, case studies, and advice for building owners and adjoining neighbours.
Party Wall Act associations & regulators
Appoint a London party wall surveyor with recognised professional membership and clear accountability—helpful when neighbour relations (and risk) matter most.…
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published: 09/02/2026
Adjoining Owner Party Wall Information
Received a Party Wall Notice? Protect your home with clear options—consent or dissent, what a Party Wall Award covers, and how damage and surveyor fees are usually handled.…
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published: 09/02/2026
What is the Party Wall Act?
Understand what the Party Wall Act means for your London build — when you need to serve notice, what timelines apply, and how a Party Wall Award protects you and your neighbour.…
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published: 09/02/2026
Building Owner Party Wall Information
Planning building works in London? Here’s what every Building Owner must do under the Party Wall Act—notice periods, neighbour responses, costs, and how to avoid delays.…
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published: 09/02/2026
What is a Party Wall?
If you're planning building works near or on a shared boundary in London, understanding what a party wall is—and how the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies—is essential to protect your project and maintain good neighbourly relations.…
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published: 22/07/2025
Hire a Regulated Party Wall Surveyor in London
Protect your project and neighbour relations with trusted, professionally accountable surveyors (RICS, CABE, CIOB, FPWS & Pyramus & Thisbe).…
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published: 23/01/2026