My party wall agreement options?

chappers

You need to speak to them, if you are both doing loft conversions it's really in both your interests to co-operate with each other, there are many shared costs and works that could be carried out together, such as rooflines and dormer finishes, which minimise impossible to finish gaps between the two.
In reality if one loft is finished then its virtually impossible to finish the cheeks of the adjoining loft satisfactorily without some work to the existing conversion. Then any second agreement becomes more complicated.
MisterBaxter knows my opinions on PWAs, but this is one situation where I think you really should draw up simultaneous agreements which reflect the works that both of you are going to carry out.
You really need to sort out how your two conversions are going to connect. I would seriously consider building the party wall up to above the roofline of both of the lofts and maybe finishing with a parapet between the two, especially if you have different ideas on roof finishes or dormer cladding, this could be something you could share the cost of.
Then on top of that co-operation with the party structures of each loft, these issues should be made clear to your builders too.
Think about structural steels etc and the party wall, better to resolve potential issues now rather than later.

teneighty

In a situation like this where the neighbours seem reluctant to speak to each other I think it would be advisable to appoint a single agreed surveyor to liaise between both sides.

Otherwise I can see misunderstandings, delays and conflict which could end up costing more than the £500 each for a surveyor.

zoothornrollo_2

Thanks all.

zoothornrollo_2

chappers wrote: »

You need to speak to them, if you are both doing loft conversions it's really in both your interests to co-operate with each other, there are many shared costs and works that could be carried out together, such as rooflines and dormer finishes, which minimise impossible to finish gaps between the two.
In reality if one loft is finished then its virtually impossible to finish the cheeks of the adjoining loft satisfactorily without some work to the existing conversion. Then any second agreement becomes more complicated.
MisterBaxter knows my opinions on PWAs, but this is one situation where I think you really should draw up simultaneous agreements which reflect the works that both of you are going to carry out.
You really need to sort out how your two conversions are going to connect. I would seriously consider building the party wall up to above the roofline of both of the lofts and maybe finishing with a parapet between the two, especially if you have different ideas on roof finishes or dormer cladding, this could be something you could share the cost of.
Then on top of that co-operation with the party structures of each loft, these issues should be made clear to your builders too.
Think about structural steels etc and the party wall, better to resolve potential issues now rather than later.

Well my dormer has to be inset from both roofline and sides because I do not have PD - am a 1st flat floor flat so need PP.
I totally get the logic of your advice, but not easy to get two different builders / loft companies 'co-operating' in London town.... I will call mine and see what they say. Thanks.

chappers

Right so you're working under a planning app, whilst they are working under PD, in that case, I wouldn't worry too much if you're dormer is going to be inset as you won't, really have issues there, your only PWA issues may be steels, Speak with your builder/SE there may be ways round not cutting into the partywall, for example you may be able to run yours front to back, with any ridge steels supported off these.
Then your only issue is how to deal with their PWA, you could just put that into dispute and then all the costs would have to be borne by your neighbour, though you can always agree with conditions agreed between yourselves.

zoothornrollo_2

chappers wrote: »

Right so you're working under a planning app, whilst they are working under PD, in that case, I wouldn't worry too much if you're dormer is going to be inset as you won't, really have issues there, your only PWA issues may be steels, Speak with your builder/SE there may be ways round not cutting into the partywall, for example you may be able to run yours front to back, with any ridge steels supported off these.
Then your only issue is how to deal with their PWA, you could just put that into dispute and then all the costs would have to be borne by your neighbour, though you can always agree with conditions agreed between yourselves.

Thanks.
So you mean that would mean I don't need to both with a PWA? it's not a big deal really - we have agreed to just sign off eachother's forms and take photos in case anything does arise... don't want to be awkward over their PWA particularly, would rather keep relations on the warm side!

phil24_7

That's great that you have reached an agreement.

I would get a copy of their plans and give to your builder, and vica versa, or at least get their builders number for your builder. This way the builders can make sure there will be no problems. They may even be able to figure out an easier or better way of doing something.

Oh, and don't forget the photo's.

Regards
Phil

zoothornrollo_2

Thanks Phil, I'll do that.

chappers

zoothornrollo wrote: »

Thanks.
So you mean that would mean I don't need to both with a PWA? it's not a big deal really - we have agreed to just sign off eachother's forms and take photos in case anything does arise... don't want to be awkward over their PWA particularly, would rather keep relations on the warm side!

Very wise, glad it's all sorted