Building an Outbuilding

Building an Outbuilding that is within 3m of an adjoining neighbour’s house and/ or outbuilding would be required when excavating and going potentially deeper than the adjoining owner’s foundations.

The excavation works can cause movement in the ground, especially in winter months and can therefore put the adjoining neighbour’s property at risk meaning they could result in damages from the excavation works. Often there is the removal of trees which can cause heave of the ground and can contribute to damages to adjoining neighbours properties.

There are several ways how this can be avoided but this would need to be written within the party wall agreement by the party wall surveyor. Once this has been agreed the contractor should follow the agreed construction method to avoid any damages to the adjoining neighbour’s property.

The concept and need for the party wall agreement for the outbuilding is similar to that of a side extension to a house, all be it an independent outbuilding.

The process is the same for all scenarios where the notices are served, a condition survey is completed and then a schedule of conditions is prepared along with the final award.