Why You Should Hire an RICS Regulated Party Wall Surveyor
There is no legal licence needed to act as a party wall surveyor, so hiring an RICS regulated surveyor is a choice, not a requirement. RICS regulation adds a complaints route, professional standards and expectations about insurance. Specialist consultants without RICS membership can also be excellent, so check credentials either way.
No licence is required
Nothing in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 says a surveyor must belong to a particular body. Anyone can be appointed by an owner. That is why credentials matter.
Professional bodies include RICS, the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, the Pyramus & Thisbe Society, CABE, CIOB and the Institute of Party Wall Surveyors.
What RICS regulation adds
RICS regulation gives a client an independent body to complain to. It sets ethical standards and expects regulated firms to carry appropriate insurance. Those are useful protections when a surveyor is making a decision that affects your money and your neighbour's home.
Regulation is not a guarantee. A good specialist may be a better fit than a regulated generalist, and the reverse can also be true. Ask about experience of your kind of project.
RICS-regulated surveyor
- Firms and members are held to RICS standards and rules of conduct, including ethics and impartiality.
- There is a formal complaints route through RICS if something goes wrong.
- RICS expects regulated firms to hold professional indemnity insurance, which you can ask to see.
- Members are chartered, which usually means broader building surveying training and experience.
- Membership can be checked on the RICS register.
- Regulation does not guarantee quality or lower fees; you should still compare quotes.
Specialist consultant without RICS membership
- Many belong to specialist bodies such as the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors or the Pyramus & Thisbe Society, and are highly experienced.
- Some focus only on party wall work, which can mean deep knowledge of the Act.
- Their body may have its own code of conduct and complaints process; check what it offers.
- Insurance expectations vary, so ask for evidence of professional indemnity cover.
- Anyone can be appointed, so a lack of membership of any body is a risk to weigh.
- Check membership on each body's own register, not on the surveyor's word.
Fees and value
Do not assume that RICS membership means a higher or lower fee. Ask for written quotes from more than one surveyor, and check whether fees are fixed or based on time.
How to check credentials
Ask which bodies the surveyor belongs to and look them up on each body's own register. Ask for evidence of insurance. Ask for a written quote and their terms of appointment.
If a surveyor is acting as your appointed surveyor, remember that under the Act their duty is to act fairly between the owners, whoever appointed them.
A quick call to the body itself can also confirm whether a surveyor is a current member.
Frequently asked questions
Is an RICS surveyor legally required?
No. No licence is needed to be a party wall surveyor, and any competent person can be appointed.
Are FPWS and Pyramus & Thisbe members less qualified?
Not necessarily. Both bodies represent specialists in party wall work. They are different organisations with different rules, so check what each offers.
Where do I check membership?
Use the register on each body's own website rather than relying on a logo or a claim.
Related guides
- How to Choose a Party Wall Surveyor
- RICS vs FPWS: Choosing the Right Faculty or Institution
- How to Verify a Party Wall Surveyor's Credentials (RICS vs Faculty vs Pyramus & Thisbe)
- Chartered Building Surveyor vs Specialist Party Wall Surveyor: Which Do You Need?
Last updated: . This page is general information about the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (England and Wales). It is not legal advice. Every property and dispute is different, so take advice from a party wall surveyor or a solicitor before you act.