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

From offices on Cobden Road 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

1 Cobden Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 3UB

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
5.0
Based on 665 reviews
We needed to get a party wall agreement very quickly to prevent works having to stop after our surveyor had to pull out due to illness. We contacted Peter Barry and were able to get a site visit and agreement wrapped up within two weeks. The service was excellent and we were able to start working on our property without delay. Would highly recommend
Response from the owner:We appreciate your recommendation Mr Westwood.
James Mereweather from Peter Barry acted as the Agreed Surveyor to negotiate a party wall agreement. He offered a lot of patient and clear guidance in what is a confusing and stressful process - this was much appreciated. Better value than other surveyors offering the same service too. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thank you Mr Hennessey, we are pleased to hear that you were so satisfied with the service you received from James.
We used Peter Barry Surveyors for a party wall agreement for some works. All went smoothly. Clear detailed reports produced and a party wall agreement awarded. We worked with Joanne & David B who were very helpful and easy to communicate with.

David came to do the survey on the day and was on time (even early) and polite. He answered all the questions I had and took plentiful photos. He also took off his shoes inside without prompting (small things!)

Thanks for all your help!
Response from the owner:We really appreciate your feedback, and we will share your comments with Joanne and David.
Provided a fast and professional service to help with a party wall agreement.
Response from the owner:We are pleased to hear you were so satisfied with the service you received.
Peter Barry were a pleasure to work with, as they were not only efficient but extremely helpful. They assisted me with a party wall agreement. The team were great to work with. Due to the positive experience, I would highly recommend.
Response from the owner:We appreciate your recommendation.
Bawor was very helpful in serving a detailed party wall award on our behalf to our neighbours.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive feedback Ms Bradshaw.
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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.

These guys did a thorough, level 2 survey and a clear report. I would highly recommend them. Tom Witherley
Very organised and friendly
I had a really positive experience with Shaun Blake at Peter Barry. The survey was very thorough and Shaun was on hand to answer several follow-up questions I hand. I would recommend them to anyone.
Requested a level 2 survey with Peter Barry and was very happy with the service, the survey goes above and beyond what I have experienced before and gave a very thorough breakdown of the risks and what next steps both I and the solicitor should take. I highly recommend going with them!
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience working with Peter Barry Surveyors.
I’m using them to help with lease extension and provide valuation, survey and advise on same. Still in the process, but they have very quick, efficient, professional and also helpful to date.
Lease extension is a tricky process so having them deal with this efficiently and provide clarity has been so welcome.
Response from the owner:We are pleased to hear how useful you have found our service.
Peter Barry offers an efficient and effective service. Helpful advice on various levels of homebuyers reports. It was so helpful to be able to talk things through with David Breeze. Recommended.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your recommendation Mr Greenwood.
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