If you are beginning a home improvement journey, such as a basement excavation, loft conversion, or a wrap-around extension anywhere in Kent, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a vital piece of legislation that must be managed. At Charterhouse Surveying, we provide expertise Regulated by RICS to bridge the gap between your architectural ambitions and your legal obligations. Our role is to ensure that your works are carried out safely, protecting the structural health of the "Garden of England’s" diverse housing stock while keeping your project on schedule.

 

We cover the entirety of the county, from the busy commuter hubs of Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells to the coastal reaches of Whitstable and Folkestone.

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Our Services in Kent

• Party Wall Notices: Accurate preparation and serving of all legal notices to avoid project delays.

• Schedules of Condition: Comprehensive photographic surveys to record the state of neighbouring properties before work begins.

• Party Wall Awards: Drafting and agreeing on the formal document that allows your work to proceed while protecting both parties' interests.

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A Surveyor’s Notebook: Kent
Kent’s geology is famously varied, which presents a unique set of challenges for any structural project. In the north of the county, we frequently encounter the London Clay and Thanet Sands, where foundation depths must be carefully calculated to prevent movement.

 

Moving south toward the Weald, the soil shifts to Weald Clay and Hastings Sands, while the iconic White Cliffs and North Downs are defined by Chalk. For a surveyor, this means there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to a Party Wall Award in Kent. When working in historic towns like Canterbury or Rochester, we also have to account for ancient foundations and the potential for archaeological significance when digging near shared boundaries.

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Kent has a storied history as the gateway to Europe, boasting more castles and historic houses than any other county in England. From the maritime heritage of the Medway towns to the agricultural legacy of the hop-picking regions, the property types vary from timber-framed Tudor cottages to expansive contemporary eco-homes. This vast range of construction methods—from traditional ragstone walls to modern steel frames—requires a deep understanding of how different buildings "behave" when subject to the vibrations or excavations of a neighbour's construction.

 

Whether you are modernising a Victorian terrace in Maidstone or building a contemporary addition in Ashford, our county-wide expertise ensures your Party Wall matters are concluded with professional care.

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For a free quote or advice, please feel free to contact us.