PETER BARRY ARE CHARTERED SURVEYORS SPECIALISING IN PROPERTY SURVEYS AND PARTY WALL MATTERS

From offices on Lime Tree Walk in Sevenoaks, our team of highly experienced Chartered Surveyors undertake a range of residential surveying services including RICS Level 2 and Level 3 Home Surveys, party wall advice, leasehold valuations and valuations for other purposes including tax planning.

Before making a commitment to purchase a property, you should have it inspected by one of our highly knowledgeable surveyors. We offer RICS Level 2 Home Surveys and RICS Level 3 Home Surveys (previously known as Homebuyer and Building Surveys) to ensure that you go into the purchase with your eyes open. Our team will be happy to advise on which report best suits your needs.

We also have a team of specialist party wall surveyors so whether you’re planning works that fall within the scope of the Act, or have received a notice, we’re well placed to advise you.  Read more about our party wall services below.

Peter Barry Surveyors are Regulated by the RICS and, if you scroll down, you’ll see that we have hundreds of independently verified reviews on both Google and TrustPilot. You can be confident that you’re making the right choice.

CONTACT US

If you require free advice or a quote in relation to a residential surveying matter in Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas please contact us today.

WHAT IS THE PARTY WALL ACT?

The Party Wall Act covers 3 distinct areas of work; changes to an existing party structures, the construction of new walls at the boundary and excavation within 3 or 6 metres of a shared or adjoining structure. An owner proposing to undertake any such work (known as the “building owner”) is required to formally notify the owners of affected neighbouring properties.

If the owner of the neighbouring property (known as the “adjoining owner”) does not consent to the notice, a dispute arises and both parties must appoint a surveyor, or concur in the appointment of a single ‘agreed’ surveyor. The surveyors produce a document called a “party wall award”.

The award confirms the building owner’s right to undertake the work but only in a way that minimises the risk of damage and ensures that the occupants of the adjoining owner’s property do not suffer unnecessary inconvenience. As part of the process, the condition of the adjoining owner’s property is recorded so that if damage is reported either during or following the works, there is a prior record to check it against.

EXPLORE OUR SERVICES

Our team of Chartered Surveyors have many years’ experience of inspecting properties. Whatever the style or type of property you’re buying you’ll feel more confident armed with one of our survey reports.

Whether you’re thinking of extending your lease or enfranchising the freehold of your building we are at hand to offer the advice you require. We have the necessary experience to accurately value properties and enter in to negotiations on your behalf.

Our experienced team of party wall surveyors are on hand to assist whether you’re planning additions or alterations to your property that fall within the scope of The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 or you’ve received a notice informing you of a neighbour’s proposed works.

Our Project Management team provide bespoke professional services in assisting our clients to manage the process of design, planning, procuring and overseeing construction works for a variety of types of building.

We cover all aspects of residential survey work including Specific Defect Reports, Snagging Lists and Reinstatement Cost Assessments. We have several RICS Registered Valuers on the team offering valuations for a range of purposes including tax planning and matrimonial proceedings.

RECENT ACTIVITY IN SEVENOAKS

Sometimes a party wall surveyor finishes a job in a different role to that which they started in. Our surveyor James Merewether was appointed to act for a homeowner on Tollers Lane in Coulsdon, in response to a party wall notice served on him by his neighbours relating to a proposed rear extension.

The homeowner proposing the works raised concerns with James about how long it would take to complete the party wall process and serve the necessary party wall Award as he was intending to start the works within a week.

James advised that the quickest way to move forward was to appoint him as the Agreed Surveyor, with the consent of his neighbour. James managed to visit the neighbour’s property within 3 working days and prepare a schedule of condition report. He then drafted and served the Award the very next day ensuring that work could commence within the planned timescale.

Our surveyor James Merewether ably assisted two sets of homeowners either side of a proposed new build development of a low-rise block of flats on Bradmore Way, Coulsdon, to the west of Sevenoaks.

The works involved excavations to create retaining boundary walls to the perimeter of the development site less than a metre from the adjacent properties.

James liaised with both homeowners and the surveyor acting for the developer to arrange the joint inspection of each property to prepare a schedule of condition report. The site was particularly steep from front to back and also sloped from side to side meaning that the temporary works proposal was complex. James carefully explained the works to the homeowners and worked with the developer’s surveyor effectively to agree precautions to include in the Award so that the potential for damage was minimised.

The works are now proceeding and there have been no issues to date.

A homeowner on Spur Road in Orpington, to the north of Sevenoaks, recently called our office to enquire about appointing a surveyor in response to a party wall notice he received relating to proposed rear extension and loft conversion works.

The job was assigned to one of our surveyors, James Merewether, who called the owner promptly to discuss the works and the party wall process. James went through the proposed drawings and discovered that the notice relevant to the rear extension was not necessary as the building owner was merely enlarging the existing extension and not therefore excavating within 3 metres of the adjoining owner’s property.

The building owners had served their own notices and hadn’t appointed a surveyor yet. James advised the adjoining owner that he could act for both sides as the ‘Agreed’ surveyor with his agreement which he was happy to provide. The dispute resolution process was carried out, the Award served and works are now proceeding with no reported damage.

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CONTACT US

If you require free advice or a quote in relation to a residential surveying matter in Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas please contact us today.

SEVENOAKS

Sevenoaks seamlessly blends history, natural beauty, and a dash of literary legacy. Nestled amidst the greenery of the Garden of England, it enjoys its place between Tunbridge Wells to the west and Maidstone to the east.

Local transport links in Sevenoaks are quite convenient. The town’s railway station is well-connected to London, making it an attractive choice for commuters seeking a slice of countryside living. The M25 motorway also skirts the area, offering accessibility by road to nearby urban hubs.

One of the most striking features of Sevenoaks is the historic Knole House, an impressive stately home with centuries of history. Its grandeur and vast parkland are a testament to the region’s opulent heritage.

Sevenoaks also boasts literary connections, as it was the residence of iconic science fiction writer H. G. Wells. The property he lived in whilst writing The Time Machine, known as Tusculum Villa, displays a blue plaque. The echoes of his creativity still resonate in the area, inviting literature enthusiasts to explore the town’s unique connection to one of the literary greats.

YOUR LOCAL PETER BARRY OFFICE

11 Lime Tree Walk
Sevenoaks
TN13 1YH

Telephone: 01732 441 536
Email: surveying@peterbarry.co.uk

CONTACT US

If you require free advice or a quote in relation to a residential surveying matter in Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas please contact us today.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Excellent

Excellent
Based on 694 reviews
Efficient and professional service provided by Trina and Amrita when arranging a party wall agreement between ourselves and our neighbours prior to building works. Happy to recommend.
I needed a surveyor for a party wall agreement relating to work at a neighbouring property. Peter Barry were professional in their approach and answered all my questions. I felt the details were dealt with to ensure work would progress in a satisfactory manner.
Very good service from Peter Barry in our party wall negotiation, kept us well informed every step of the way.
Very pleased to have contacted Peter Barry Surveyors, faced with major building work next door. I received prompt, professional attention and helpful advice at all times. Katie Merchant and Jaynell Mainoo prepared a most thorough and comprehensive Schedule of Condition Report, a detailed visual record of our side of the party wall. A great relief to have this safeguard should any future problems develop. Highly recommended.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your review Mr Phillips, and I will share our positive feedback with Katie & Jaynell.
We found James Merewether extremely professional, clear and efficient doing our party wall agreement. We were very pleased.
Response from the owner:Thank you, I will certainly share your positive feedback with James.
All aspects of our experience using Peter Barry were good which was a breath of fresh air in a stressful house renovation. We engaged them at the last minute to pull together our party wall awards for 4 neighbours. They we're good at communicating, pragmatic in setting up the surveys and reasonable on pricing. Recommend using them.
Response from the owner:Thank you Mr Eaves. I'm very glad to hear that you were impressed by our communication, and we appreciate your recommendation.

AREAS COVERED

We cover the Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas from our offices at 1 Cobden Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3UB Including the areas noted below.

I'm very happy with the service provided. Communication was great and they were quick to deliver the report. Would happily recommend.
Efficient and professional service provided by Trina and Amrita when arranging a party wall agreement between ourselves and our neighbours prior to building works. Happy to recommend.
Steve Hobbs, chartered RICS surveyor, visited our property in East Finchley for a ‘red book’ Probate valuation. Everything went as planned and the report was produced within the stated timescale. The office staff were also very helpful. The prices was competitive. Thanks.
We were delighted with the service we received from Peter Barry - prompt, efficient and very professional.
Very pleased with our survey from John - very thorough, easy to understand and delivered on time - thank you!
Matthew came on time to video and take pics of my house and Party Wall before my neighbour starts work next week on his Extension. He was not only polite and charming but also very efficient and thorough in his investigation. Therefore, would be happy to hire his services again.
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