In recent months, Sheffield based property consultants Inform Surveying has seen a significant increase in the volume of Party Wall Act 1966 (PWA) instructions requiring their expert advice and management.
“We’ve had a tremendous start to the year with plenty of new instructions coming through. What’s particularly pleasing is we’re being instructed on a wide variety of PWA jobs – both locally and nationally” commented Director, Gavin Sampson.
“On top of our core building surveying and project management work, we’re seeing more instructions for specialist services like party wall and dilapidations. As you’d expect, PWA advice requires us to undertake a thorough technical review of the scheme not only in respect of the instructing client but for all parties concerned.”
In the team’s experience, PWA work invariably extends further than an initial technical review. Typically, as experienced surveyors Inform work closely with the design team to ensure everything is on track once construction starts. After all, issues relating to the design can, in practice, conflict with the PWA requirements.
Furthermore, as their experience has shown on recent projects when it comes to historic buildings and more modern mixed-use sites, compliance isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.
Gavin continued, “On the face of it, a project may appear relatively simple and it’s understandable that clients are anxious not to get bogged down with the legal formalities of the PWA. However, it should be remembered that it is a legal framework and one which must be closely followed.”
An experienced Chartered Building Surveyor will undoubtedly save their clients time and cost. In some cases, they can even prevent legal action which could halt construction altogether.”
Fellow Director, Steven Taylor added “Increasingly, clients are looking at the future needs of their business and planning ahead. We’ve advised a good number of our institutional clients on the requirements of the PWA, in connection with their existing property portfolio and new acquisitions.
“It’s very gratifying for us to add value by ensuring our clients are as free from risk as they can be. Whilst the regulations have been in place for over 20 years, it’s still surprising to find how many in the industry have limited knowledge or understand the requirements imposed by the Act.”
For further information about the Party Wall Act 1966 or to discuss a specific issue you’re concerned about, please get in touch.
