The Agreed Surveyor Role - Pros & Cons

An agreed surveyor is a surveyor who is appointed on behalf of both the building owner who is undertaking the works and the adjoining owners who is adjacent to the works.

The role of an agreed surveyor is to act impartially and independently to ensure that the rights of both parties are protected and that the correct outcome is met. 

The Pros of appointing an Agreed Surveyor

Cost effective: by appointing a single surveyor, the Building Owner (in almost in circumstances) shall pay for a single agreed fee, as opposed two sets of fees with a two-surveyor route.

Efficient process: An Agreed Surveyor is familiar with party wall matters and can typically resolve disputes efficiently when there is only one surveyor working on the project. If the building owner and adjoining owner get their own surveyors, this may result in longer resolution times and delays to the project.

An agreed surveyor will draft and determine and effective party wall award and determine the manner and execution of the notifiable works.  There can be a time saving in respect of meeting to undertake a condition report and reduce ‘toing and froing’ between two surveyors otherwise.   It is recommended, certainly on standard works to utilise an Agreed Surveyor where parties can agree.

Overall – it was perfectly acceptable to agree upon the Agreed Surveyor.  The Surveyor shall maintain impartially and ensure the dispute at hand is resolved when issuing a Party Wall Award.  However, it can be said for more complicated works that a high scrutiny may be favoured.

We are always happy to discuss each and every case and give our best advice to move forward.  We, at Meon Surveyors regulary accept Agreed Surveyor roles.

The Cons of Appointing an Agreed Surveyor

Single representation: By appointing a single surveyor, each party may feel that their interests are not being adequately represented, particularly if the surveyor’s decision favours the one party.  However, it must be reminded that there is a professional obligation to act impartial at all times.

Second Opinion: Without separate surveyors representing each party, there will be one less set of eyes to review the notifiable works.  It may be more beneficial