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.
Fantastic service from Richard, would highly recommend.
Excellent experience working with Richard. He was highly knowledgeable, gave clear and practical advice, and made the whole process feel straightforward. What really stood out was his incredibly fast response time, always quick to reply and very easy to work with. Richard took the time to walk us through all our options around the boundary wall, explaining exactly what we could and couldn’t do without unnecessary jargon. His guidance was practical, balanced, and gave us real confidence in how to proceed. Would highly recommend!
Richard Hourican was excellent in handling the party wall matters for our new build. Communication was great throughout and everything was handled efficiently, which made the whole process much less stressful. Would highly recommend!
Richard and his team acted as party wall surveyor on our renovation/extension project in Richmond. They have been on the ball, polite, very good with neighbours (2 out of the 3 neighbours accepted them as surveyors), and efficient at closing out the Awards. The Awards are comprehensive and clear. Fees are very fair.
Richard was a great recommendation and went above and beyond to arrange complex party wall agreements for both sets of neighbours. He worked well with our border team as plans changed and then came together and was highly professional and collaborative. Arranged monitoring and liaised and communicated with everyone smoothly. Would be a great addition to any building project.
Richard was fantastic to work with - very efficient and knowledgeable, and got the work done with minimal fuss.
Richard was excellent to work with, we have 6 partywalls to complete in a short time and he kept us up to date throughout and chased daily to make sure they were done on time.
Geeat experience! Richard engaged with me quickly and communicated well at all stages, making the whole process easy and managing any queries promptly. I'd recommend him
Absolutely brilliant service. H&A assisted us on an urgent basis with a schedule of condition. They were prompt, efficient and extremely professional. The quality of their work speaks for itself. I would highly recommend them.
Richard has been extremely helpful when dealing with my queries about my neighbour extension works even after he was informed that he was not appointed as the party wall surveyor due to some communication issues. A great way to handle such situation professionally.
Highly recommend working with Richard and his team.
Richard was first class with how he helped me with my query. Despite immediately realising Hourican Associates couldn't help me with the work i required, he spent 15 minutes on the phone discussing my problem and directing me to other trusted professionals who could help me. Thanks!!
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.
Party wall surveyor fees in London depend on the type of works, the number of adjoining owners, and whether there's any dispute. At Hourican Associates, we keep pricing transparent, with typical fees for standard residential projects such as:
- Party Wall Notice service: £150 + VAT per adjoining owner
- Schedule of Condition survey: £385 - £585 + VAT (size/works dependent; basement surveys priced separately)
- Full Party Wall Award (notice + survey + agreed award): £1,100 - £1,500 + VAT (project complexity dependent)
Costs can increase where works are more complex (e.g. basements, deep excavations, multiple neighbours, or where surveyors need to resolve a dispute). If you send us your drawings and a short description of the works, we'll confirm the most suitable service and provide a clear quote.
For a tailored quotation, visit our Contact Us page and share your plans.
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 Damage Explained
If building works cause damage next door, the most important questions are usually what changed, how it can be evidenced and how it should be remedied.…
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published: 16/03/2026
Commercial Schedule of Condition Surveys London
Protect landlords, tenants and developers with schedule of condition surveys for commercial properties in London before leases, fit-outs and neighbouring works begin.…
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published: 30/03/2026
When to Serve Party Wall Notices
Serve Party Wall notices too late and your build programme can unravel before the first contractor arrives.…
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published: 16/03/2026
Valid Party Wall Notices
A Party Wall notice is only useful if it is valid, correctly served and tied to the actual works being proposed.…
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published: 16/03/2026
How to Respond to a Party Wall Notice
Received a Party Wall notice? Understand your response options clearly before you sign, dissent or appoint a surveyor.…
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published: 16/03/2026
Neighbour Building Without Notice
If your neighbour has started notifiable work without a Party Wall notice, act quickly, stay measured and get specialist advice before the problem escalates.…
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published: 16/03/2026