Many Billericay projects come with party wall implications from the planning stage. Rear extensions on the Victorian semis around Western Road, basement conversions in the larger detached stock in South Green, and infill development across Basildon Borough Council's Billericay wards all routinely require notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
CHP Surveyors has handled instructions across Billericay since 2004 and works from offices in Wickford, London and Hampshire. Faster local attendance from Wickford keeps the process moving compared with London-led practices on these jobs. The team is RICS regulated and covers the surrounding villages: Stock, Galleywood, Mountnessing, Ramsden Heath and the western edge of Wickford itself. Many instructions also touch rights of light assessments where extensions affect lower window levels on adjoining properties.
James Crowley is the past London and National Chair of The Pyramus and Thisbe Society, an organisation with a great interest in party wall and neighbourly matters.
Having been involved in projects across the UK for both domestic properties and larger, city centre developments, we have experience and knowledge of the more complicated methods of construction, including temporary restraint works, piling to form a triple basement and jet grouting. We have also negotiated licences for the use of scaffolding and tower cranes.
A free initial assessment opens every instruction. The conversation covers the proposed works, the relevant sections of the Act, and which of the three or six metre excavation thresholds apply to nearby properties. Most Billericay residential work falls under standard line of junction or party structure provisions, with excavation notices needed for any meaningful basement or foundation work near adjoining buildings.
From there the surveyor drafts and serves notices, gathers responses, and prepares the schedule of condition. Photographs and descriptive notes cover the adjoining property fully so that any later claim of damage can be assessed against a clear baseline. Where the matter is agreed, paperwork stays proportionate. Where dispute arises, the party wall award is drafted properly, signed, and served. Calls are answered by the surveyor running the file. Building owners and adjoining owners in Billericay deal with one named contact, not a rotating support team.
Over the past four years, CHP have worked very successfully with us in their capacity as party wall surveyors. Through his calm, sensible approach and excellent communication skills James Crowley, in particular, gained the trust and confidence of the entire team and stakeholders. Looking forward to working with CHP again.”
- Clare Goggin, Jackson Coles
On a well-run Billericay job, notices are served three months ahead of works, adjoining owners respond within the statutory period, the schedule of condition is signed off, and any award is in place before the first delivery on site. Neighbour relations stay civil, the build runs on programme, and damage claims are rare and quick to resolve when they do arise.
Notice periods under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 are non-negotiable: two months for party structure works, one month for excavations within three or six metres of an adjoining building. Building owners generally cover reasonable surveyor fees on both sides under the Act. For Billericay projects, especially those in conservation areas where planning conditions stack with party wall requirements, an early free initial assessment reduces risk on both sides.
Get in touch.
Head Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
Essex Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
020 3714 4090
Get in touch.
Head Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
Essex Office
2nd Floor, 10 High Street
Wickford, Essex
SS12 9AZ
020 3714 4090
enquiries@chpsurveyors.com
