Neighbours extension, proximity to conservatory

TheCyclingProgrammer

Our neighbours, who we get on well with, are planning an extension to their property. It will be a ground floor extension extending across the rear of their house with a second floor extension on the side furthest from our boundary.

We had no issues with what they are proposing, they kept us fully informed throughout and have now received planning permission.

I had a feeling that due to the proximity of the extension to our foundations (we are semi-detached) that the party wall act might come into play - I mentioned it to my neighbour and having looked into it himself he agrees and when the time comes (they may not start work until next year) promised that anything that needs sorting will be.

My main concern having given it some thought is the depth of their foundations and the proximity to our conservatory extension which is about 40cm away from the boundary dividing us - their extension will be built right right up to the boundary so only a couple of feet away. He mentioned that the foundations would be quite deep, something like 1.2m. I have no idea what the foundation depth for our conservatory is (it was built by the previous owners) - its a gable style conservatory with a dwarf wall base.

Does their extension pose any significant risk? Is this something a party wall surveyor would look at? Is there anything else I should be concerned about?

Furts

A typical requirement would be your neighbour trench filling their new foundations. This will put the concrete height above a 45 degree line from the base of your conservatory foundation.

You may want to trial hole your conservatory foundation first. Everything would probably be OK provided your gardens are good ground, not made up fill. Also your neighbour must dig and concrete with reasonable speed - do not leave open foundations overnight, or subject to rain. You do not want your conservatory sliding into an open trench!

I_have_spoken

Tell your neighbour you wish a party wall surveyor to be appointed to represent your interests at their expense.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Furts wrote: »

A typical requirement would be your neighbour trench filling their new foundations. This will put the concrete height above a 45 degree line from the base of your conservatory foundation.

You may want to trial hole your conservatory foundation first. Everything would probably be OK provided your gardens are good ground, not made up fill. Also your neighbour must dig and concrete with reasonable speed - do not leave open foundations overnight, or subject to rain. You do not want your conservatory sliding into an open trench!

Thanks. We're having the garden dug up in September anyway so that would be a good time to dig a trial hole and see what's down there.

Sounds like its probably nothing to worry about so long as neighbour's builders do things properly but it does sound like it would be prudent to have a party wall surveyor appointed when the time comes (as per advice above).

Furts

Your neighbour may have to dig and concrete on a hit and miss basis, or perhaps shore up your foundations with trench sheets. It depends on your conservatory foundations - but either option would make matters complicated. It might even be decided that your conservatory needs underpinning. All items for you to ponder over.

martinsurrey

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

Sounds like its probably nothing to worry about so long as neighbour's builders do things properly but it does sound like it would be prudent to have a party wall surveyor appointed when the time comes (as per advice above).

Getting an independent party wall surveyor in is 100% your right, but be careful who you pick, its a minefield of trouble as once you appoint you cannot change and there are some real cowboys out there.

Also as your neighbor will have to now pay for 2 lots of surveyors, which could be avoided if you agreed to use there surveyor, be prepared to not get along with them anymore.

fezster

Sounds like you get on with your neighbours well and they want to do the right thing here. So appoint a decent (ideally recommended) party wall surveyor that you both agree to and work with them to come up with a solution which will protect your conservatory.

AndyMc.....

I_have_spoken wrote: »

Tell your neighbour you wish a party wall surveyor to be appointed to represent your interests at their expense.

I'm glad I've not got you living next door.

TheCyclingProgrammer

I definitely think trying to mutually agree on a PWS would be the way forward, there's no need to my neighbour to incur the expense of two. Presumably if we jointly instructed one they would act neutrally?