Yes, you may remove your own party wall surveyor in some instances, but usually it will not be without a fight. Trust and communication in any professional relationship are crucial, and at Faulkner Surveyors, we strive to ensure we build this trust. And if you’re having doubts about your current surveyor, you’re not alone; many people struggle with this.
If you’ve appointed an ‘Agreed Surveyor Crawley’ (a surveyor who represents both you and the party with the wall, rather than each having their own) it can be difficult to find another one to replace them because they’re meant to be unbiased. But if you think they’re not doing their job well or are acting unprofessionally, there are some things you can do.
Although, once you have appointed your own party wall surveyor, you cannot simply replace them because you are unhappy with their approach or judgment. The surveyor’s role is set by law to follow the Party Wall Act, not to represent you personally.
What to Do If You No Longer Trust Your Surveyor?
It’s perfectly natural to be frustrated that you’re losing confidence in someone who’s supposed to be protecting your interests. We at Faulkner Surveyors Crawley think communication is paramount.
If your surveyor is uncommunicative, uncooperative or just not explaining things adequately with you, then yes, you should be asking questions.
Start with an honest conversation with them. Request clarification on anything that’s troubling you.
If they keep acting like they can’t even give a straight answer to a simple question, or if they make decisions that don’t appear neutral and fair, you may want to ask yourself whether they are qualified to do the job.
Surveyors are meant to act professionally and independently, even the ones you select yourself. When that’s not happening, it may be time to make a change.
Can Both Sides of a Case Remove a Joint Surveyor in Crawley?
Well, yes, but it’s complicated. Where two householders jointly appoint an individual (agreed surveyor Crawley), the two surveyors cannot be discharged unless the homeowner that has appointed them both also agrees.
This is one of the most common ones, and it tends to happen when one or both sides believe the surveyor to be showing bias, or taking too long, or not handling things fairly. According to GOV.UK, if you and your neighbour agree that a new surveyor needs to be appointed, you can move forward together with arranging a replacement. When it comes to removing a boundary hedge, you should first try to resolve any issues informally with your neighbour before involving the council. Can my Neighbour remove a boundary hedge?
But if you or the other one of you wants the surveyor struck, and the other won’t consent, the process gets more complicated. If you have already been served with an Award, you may need to address the issue formally and could consider consulting an attorney. According to Party Wall Knowledge Base, surveyors decide how to handle disputes and may ask for more information, arrange a site visit, or seek independent expert advice.
Will Sacking a Surveyor Hold Up My Project?
Surveyors should assess both properties before making decisions about party wall matters Crawley, so removing a surveyor could delay the process since this assessment is necessary for a fair resolution. It is best to resolve any issues early to avoid such delays.
The party wall procedure is prescribed and must be carried out in a timely manner. And if you swap surveyors midway, the new one may require time to peruse documents, re-visit the property, or even re-pursue some of the process. All that adds time and, in some cases, increased costs.
Here at Faulkner Surveyors Crawley, we suggest attempting to resolve problems as early as possible. But if you genuinely believe the surveyor is acting improperly or unfairly, that short delay may be worth it to safeguard your interests.
How Do You Complain About a Surveyor?
It’s all right to speak up if you are unhappy with the way your surveyor is managing things. Begin by expressing your concerns in writing — typically an email message will suffice. Be clear, specific, and polite. Describe what is there to go wrong, what you would like to happen.
If the problem persists, you can escalate. The majority of surveyors belong to a professional body such as RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) or FPWS (Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors). These organisations have their own complaints procedures to follow. Can I alter the party wall surveyor? – Faulkners Surveyors.
It’s not making trouble to voice your concerns — it shows you’re taking care of your rights. And any decent professional should be open to criticism and willing to provide explanations.
Is Your Surveyor Acting in Your Best Interest?
This is a question more people should ask. A good surveyor should be transparent, neutral, and professional.
They could be owned by you, but they are still required to do everything fairly under the Party Wall Act.
Some red flags to watch for:
- They don’t explain things clearly.
- They seem to unfairly go with the other party.
- They appear unresponsive or refuse to provide an update.
- Their expenses are inscrutable or rapidly growing.
At Faulkner Surveyors Crawley, we believe in open communication and fair dealing.
So you should question everything that feels wrong. Trust your instincts — and do not hesitate to get a second opinion if necessary.
What Are the Risks of Dismissing a Surveyor Crawley?
Dismissing a surveyor comes with a few risks you’ll want to think about. First, it can delay your project, especially if the new surveyor needs to restart any part of the process.
Second, if the original surveyor was appointed jointly or has already issued an Award, removing them may not even be possible without agreement from both sides—or legal intervention. What takes place in a party wall conflict? – Faulkners Surveyors.
There’s also the financial side to consider. You might still be liable for part of the original surveyor’s fees, even if you let them go.
It’s not a decision to take lightly. But if the relationship has completely broken down, and you’ve tried everything else, it might be the best move in the long run.
Can You Get a Second Opinion on the Award?
Absolutely, and in some cases, it’s a smart move. If you feel something in the Party Wall Award Crawley doesn’t seem fair or accurate, you can seek a second opinion from an experienced surveyor.
At Faulkner Surveyors Crawley, we often help clients review awards issued by other surveyors. We look at the technical details, check for inconsistencies, and explain what your rights and options are.
Just be aware: once an Award is served, you only have 14 days to appeal it in court. So if something feels off, don’t wait too long to ask for advice. A second opinion might not lead to formal action—but it can give you peace of mind or the confidence to challenge something if needed.
When Should You Replace Your Party Wall Surveyor Crawley?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few signs that it might be time to make a change:
- You’ve lost confidence in their judgement.
- They’re unresponsive or hard to contact.
- They seem biased or not acting neutrally.
- The process is dragging on without explanation.
- Their costs keep increasing without justification.
If any of this sounds familiar, it might be worth having a conversation—or even getting some independent advice. At Faulkner Surveyors Crawley, we’ve stepped in for many clients who felt stuck with a surveyor who wasn’t meeting expectations.
It’s your property and your project. You deserve clear communication, fair treatment, and proper guidance every step of the way.
FAQs : Can You Sack A Party Wall Surveyor Crawley
Can I actually sack my party wall surveyor if I’m unhappy with them?
This is where a lot of homeowners get caught out. Section 10(2) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is worded very tightly: all appointments are in writing and “shall not be rescinded by either party.” That means once you have appointed a surveyor under the Act, you cannot simply dismiss them because you have lost confidence or do not like the advice you are getting. The appointment only ends in narrow statutory circumstances set out in sections 10(3), 10(5) and 10(9), mainly death or where the surveyor themselves deems they are incapable of acting. This surprises most people, and it is why picking carefully at the outset matters far more than people realise.
So what can I actually do if my surveyor is being unresponsive or unfair?
You have more options than the Act might suggest at first glance. Start by putting your concerns in writing, politely and specifically, asking for a response within a set timeframe. If that fails, you can ask your surveyor to refer a specific disputed matter to the third surveyor under section 10(11), which gives an independent route to challenge decisions without removing anyone. You can also make a professional conduct complaint to their regulator, typically RICS or the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, both of which run formal complaints procedures. And if the surveyor’s conduct is so poor that they refuse to act effectively, the other side’s surveyor can in some cases, step in under section 10(6) or 10(7) to keep the process moving.
My neighbour and I jointly appointed an agreed surveyor. Can we replace them together?
The Act is clear that even joint consent does not let you rescind an appointment made under section 10. The same “shall not be rescinded” rule applies. What can happen is that if the agreed surveyor refuses to act, neglects to act for more than 10 days after a written request, deems themselves incapable, or dies before the dispute is resolved, section 10(3) kicks in and the dispute proceedings start afresh, “de novo.” At that point, you and your neighbour effectively begin again and can agree on a fresh surveyor or appoint one each. So replacement is possible, but only when the specific statutory triggers are met, not simply because both of you would prefer someone else.
What can I do if I think the Party Wall Award is wrong?
You have two realistic routes, and the clock matters. The first is an appeal to the county court within 14 days of the award being served on you, under section 10(17). The court can rescind, modify, or uphold the award. Appeals are not cheap, and costs can run into several thousand pounds, so most surveyors suggest you get a second opinion from an experienced party wall specialist before filing. The second route, if the issue is a specific matter rather than the award as a whole, is to refer that matter to the third surveyor for a decision. That is often faster and cheaper than a court appeal, but it depends on whether the third surveyor has jurisdiction over your complaint.
Will changing surveyors or disputing the award delay my build?
Realistically, yes. Each of the limited routes available, whether that is waiting for the statutory triggers under section 10(3) to reset the process, referring a matter to the third surveyor, or lodging a county court appeal, adds time. A third surveyor referral typically takes a few weeks to resolve. A court appeal can push things back by months, before any remedial works are factored in. The real-world lesson from homeowner forums is consistent: try to resolve concerns early through written correspondence and escalation to the third surveyor rather than waiting until you are stuck between an unsatisfactory award and a ticking 14-day clock.
For Further Information Please Call Us Today 03300100262