Party wall expertise, without the delay.

Serving homeowners, architects and developers across Chichester, West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey and London. Notices prepared correctly, disputes resolved professionally.

How it works
Greater London · The South East
The problem we solve

Three problems. One practice built to solve them.

Most party wall problems come from the same issues clients complain about again and again — slow communication, confusing paperwork, and surveyors who disappear when you need them. Metris exists to help you avoid them.

Problem 01
The Reactive Trap

Most people only call a party wall surveyor when things have already gone wrong. By that point the relationship with the neighbour is strained, the process feels confrontational, and everyone resents the cost. The surveyor gets the blame even though they didn't create the problem. They were simply not engaged early enough.

The Metris approach
Early Consultation

Expert advice before you start makes all the difference. Most costly disputes happen because neighbours are caught off-guard by incorrect or confusing paperwork. As your agent, Metris consults with you early to fully understand your project, ensuring the notices we prepare and serve to your neighbour are genuinely clear. Providing this clarity upfront prevents negative assumptions from taking hold and stops ordinary disagreements from turning into costly conflicts.

Problem 02
The Trust Gap

Anyone can call themselves a party wall surveyor — there's no licensing requirement, no guaranteed standard. By the time you discover yours is slow or out of their depth, the process is already running and your project is paying for it.

The Metris approach
Built on Real Experience

Paul Kennedy brings FPWS membership and decades of construction experience to Metris. He's spent years on site, working with real deadlines and everyday pressures, so he's aware of how timing and decisions can affect a project's progress. His party wall guidance is practical and clear, offered to support clients through the statutory requirements of the Act.

Problem 03
The Disappearing Act

It's a common frustration in any professional service: a surveyor takes on too much, or a project simply becomes a lower priority once the fee's agreed. When that happens, you're left guessing whether anything is actually moving, and doing the chasing yourself instead of them.

The Metris approach
The Honest No

Metris limits how many matters we take on at once — not because we're choosy, but because every matter deserves real attention, not whatever's left over after a long day. Once an appointment is confirmed, it's tracked so no notice is left to run unattended. If we genuinely can't give your matter that attention, we'll say so honestly, and point you toward someone who can.

What we do

Full party wall coverage,
start to finish

Whether you're building an extension, excavating foundations, or developing a new boundary wall — Metris handles every stage.

01 — Section 1
Line of Junction Notices

New walls built on or astride the boundary line, correctly noticed and managed.

02 — Section 2
Party Structure Notices

Underpinning, raising, or cutting into a shared wall — covering the most common works to a party structure.

03 — Section 6
Adjacent Excavation Notices

Excavations within 3 or 6 metres of an adjoining structure, assessed and noticed correctly.

04
Schedule of Condition

A thorough photographic and written record of adjoining property before works begin.

05
Party Wall Awards

Agreed Surveyor and Two Surveyor awards drafted to FPWS standard.

06
Adjoining Owner representation

Protecting your interests when your neighbour is carrying out works. Often free to you under the Act.

Not sure which applies?

Get an instant initial read from the Notice Checker below. This is an automated indication, not professional advice or a human review — to have Paul personally look at your project, please fill out the contact form.

Paul Kennedy, Party Wall Surveyor at Metris Party Wall Solutions
About the founder

Built on decades of construction experience

Paul Kennedy founded Metris after a career spent in building and civil construction — bringing technical depth and a builder's understanding of how projects actually work to every matter Metris handles.

  • Member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS)
  • Background in construction, geotechnical works and project management
  • Professionally indemnified and ICO registered
Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors logo
Paul Kennedy MFPWS
Membership No. PW.1543
Common questions

A few quick answers

For a fuller, tailored answer to your own project, try the Notice Checker below.

Do I need to tell my neighbour before I start building?

In many cases, yes — the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires formal notice before certain works begin, such as building near a shared wall or excavating close to a neighbouring structure. The exact answer depends on your specific plans.

Do I need permission to build a new wall on my boundary?

If you're building a new wall directly on the boundary line with your neighbour, you'll usually need to serve a Line of Junction Notice under Section 1 of the Act, giving your neighbour at least one month to respond.

What happens if my neighbour doesn't respond to a party wall notice?

For Section 3 and Section 6 notices, if your neighbour doesn't respond within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen and a party wall surveyor must be appointed. Line of Junction (Section 1) notices work differently. For a wall proposed astride the boundary under Section 1(2), if your neighbour doesn't consent within 14 days, there's no dispute over that consent decision and no surveyor needed at that stage — you may then build the wall wholly on your own land instead of astride the boundary, under Section 1(4).

How long does the party wall process take?

Notice periods range from one to two months depending on the works involved, and that's before accounting for your neighbour's response time. Starting early is the best way to avoid delays to your project.

I'm excavating for a new extension — how close to my neighbour's foundations matters?

Excavation within 3 metres of a neighbouring structure, deeper than their existing foundations, can engage Section 6 of the Act — even a modest extension can trigger this if the neighbouring property has shallow, older footings.

Who pays for a party wall surveyor?

Usually the building owner (the person carrying out the works) covers reasonable surveyor fees, though this can be agreed differently between the parties. Costs depend on the complexity of the project.

Party Wall Notice Checker

Understand what may apply before you start.

Please note: This indication is generated by a custom-trained automated model without human review and may contain errors. It does not constitute professional advice — you should obtain independent verification from a qualified Party Wall Surveyor before making any project decisions, serving statutory notices, or commencing building works. Metris does not accept instructions for basement or deep-excavation projects.

Metris Notice Checker — powered by AI

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Ready to get started?

Let's talk about your project

Whether you're a homeowner planning an extension, an architect advising a client, or a developer managing multiple sites — Metris is ready to help.

✉ paul@metrispws.com📞 07511 508 674📍 Chichester, West Sussex
Important — GDPR notice: Please only provide your own personal details. Do not include the names, addresses or personal information of third parties (including neighbours or adjoining owners) in this form. Submitting third party personal data without their consent may breach UK GDPR.