Straight answer first, then what drives it.
Typical Worthing fees
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Serving a party wall notice | £150 – £350 |
| Party wall award (agreed/single surveyor) | £700 – £1,200 |
| Party wall award (two surveyors, per side) | £900 – £1,800+ |
| Schedule of condition | £250 – £600 |
| Complex works (basements, multiple neighbours) | £2,000+ |
These sit in line with typical West Sussex fees, generally below central-London rates but above the national average, reflecting local property values.
Who pays?
As a rule, the building owner (the one doing the work) pays the reasonable fees of both their own and the adjoining owner's surveyor, because the work is for their benefit. So if you've received a notice and you're the neighbour, engaging a surveyor normally costs you nothing.
What moves the price
Complexity is the main driver: a single-storey rear extension with one neighbour is straightforward; a basement affecting several adjoining owners is not. The number of adjoining owners matters, each may need separate notices and awards. And the route chosen, a single agreed surveyor is cheaper than two, matters. We quote a fixed fee in writing before any work, so you're never exposed to open-ended hourly billing.
A word on cheap quotes
The Act is specific, and an invalid notice or a poorly drafted award can cost far more to unpick than it saved. Make sure whoever you use genuinely knows the Act.
Want a fixed-fee quote for your Worthing project? Call 01903 372418.
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