Northwood Hillside Gardens: winning trust as the Agreed Surveyor for all parties
posted 26th January 2026
Party Wall matters can be challenging at the best of times. Acting as the Agreed Surveyor for everyone involved—Building Owner and Adjoining Owners—adds another layer entirely. It requires technical confidence, absolute impartiality, clear communication, and the ability to earn trust across the board.
At Hillside Gardens, Northwood, Tayross Chartered Building Surveyors were appointed as Agreed Surveyor for all parties, and we acted not only for one neighbour, but for both adjoining owners—left and right. Achieving that level of consensus is never straightforward, but it sets the tone for a smoother project and a far lower risk of dispute.
The situation: a sensitive boundary wall replacement
This instruction involved an existing wall on the line of junction that needed to be demolished and rebuilt. The key difficulty was proximity: the Adjoining Owner’s property was less than 1200mm away, which made the works inherently higher risk.
In these circumstances, the party wall process cannot be a generic “one size fits all” exercise. The risk of vibration, movement, accidental impact, and ground disturbance is real—and if not managed correctly, it can lead to damage, delay, and disagreement.
A demanding neighbour (in the best way)
One of the adjoining owners—on the left—was a qualified engineer. He was very specific about what he expected from the party wall process, including:
• clear technical justification for the approach,
• robust safeguards and sequencing,
• and documentation that actually reflected site reality.
This is exactly the kind of scenario where experience matters. Tayross were able to provide the level of detail and clarity required—without losing sight of practicality for the Building Owner.
The solution: detailed, agreed Method Statements for each high-risk stage
Because the project had multiple points of potential risk, we worked to agree detailed Method Statements not only for rebuilding, but for the most sensitive stages of the work:
1) Demolition Method Statement
We established how demolition would be carried out safely, including controls to minimise vibration, prevent collapse toward the adjoining property, and manage temporary stability.
2) Excavation Method Statement
Excavation is often where problems begin—especially close to neighbouring structures. The method statement addressed sequencing, temporary support considerations, and how the works would be monitored to reduce the likelihood of movement.
3) Rebuilding the flank wall
We agreed a clear rebuild methodology that focused on:
• maintaining stability throughout,
• ensuring appropriate workmanship and materials,
• and reducing risk to the adjoining owner’s property during reinstatement.
This structured approach meant everyone knew what was happening, in what order, and how risk would be controlled.
Why acting as Agreed Surveyor made a difference
Being appointed as Agreed Surveyor can save time and reduce cost, but only when it is done properly. Tayross’ role was to remain completely impartial, while still being proactive enough to manage risk and prevent dispute.
In practice, that meant:
• listening carefully to each party’s concerns,
• translating those concerns into enforceable, practical controls,
• documenting everything clearly within the Party Wall Award,
• and ensuring both adjoining owners had equal confidence in the process.
The outcome: confidence, clarity, and a happier Adjoining Owner
By approaching the matter with a strong technical focus and transparent communication, Tayross achieved what the party wall process is meant to deliver:
• controlled demolition,
• managed excavation,
• a clear rebuild process, and
• reduced risk of damage to neighbouring property.
The adjoining owner—particularly the engineer—was very happy with this approach and impressed by the service, because the Party Wall procedures were handled with the level of detail and professionalism the project demanded.
Tayross Chartered Building Surveyors: Party Wall expertise that earns trust
This Northwood instruction highlights a key strength of Tayross: we don’t just “produce an Award.” We apply the Party Wall etc. Act in a way that is:
• technically robust,
• fair and impartial, and
• practical for real construction work—especially on tight, sensitive sites.
If you need a Party Wall Surveyor who can manage challenging neighbour relationships, high-risk boundary works, and complex technical expectations—Tayross Chartered Building Surveyors can help.
