Independent regional rankings based on the strength of Google review evidence, customer ratings and published fee value. General surveying practices are excluded.
A practice must first pass our eligibility test. Qualifying firms are then ranked using three factors. Specialisation is a gateway, not a source of extra points.
More reviews provide a larger body of customer evidence. Review numbers are normalised so scale does not overwhelm every other factor.
The actual numerical Google rating is assessed separately from review volume. Display stars may be rounded, but calculations use the numerical rating.
Value is not simply the lowest headline fee. We consider comparable price, inclusions and pricing transparency.
Lists are intentionally different lengths. We do not add general surveyors simply to fill a regional table.
Review counts, ratings and fees change. Figures should be rechecked immediately before publication and then periodically thereafter. “Not rated” means insufficient public pricing information was available for a reasonable fee-value comparison. PWS Surveyors has published fees and a Fee Value score of 9.0/10. Its displayed Google review figure should be rechecked against the live Google profile when the rankings are next reviewed.
The number of specialist party wall surveyors operating in an area can, to some degree, reflect the volume of party wall work generated in that market over time. Dense development, closely spaced buildings and sustained alteration activity create more appointments and support a larger specialist market.
London is the clearest example. Its density of development and sustained volume of party wall work have supported a comparatively large specialist market over an extended period. Many highly experienced party wall surveyors therefore operate in London and may have had the opportunity to deal with a greater number and wider variety of matters.
Location is not itself a measure of competence. A London surveyor is not assumed to be better simply because they practise in London, and no ranking points are awarded for location.
A company cannot pay to obtain or improve a ranking. Advertising or other commercial relationships do not improve a firm's position.
No preference for RICS, FPWS or P&T membership. Memberships are not, in themselves, an indicator of quality, experience or knowledge. They are therefore disregarded when calculating our rankings.
Where insufficient pricing information is publicly available, Fee Value is shown as Not Rated. A lack of published pricing is not treated as evidence that a firm's fees are expensive, although they may be.
A multidisciplinary practice cannot qualify as a party wall specialist merely because it has many reviews for building surveys, valuations, architecture or other services.
Choose your surveyor with care. The rankings provide information to help you compare specialist practices, but inclusion on this website should not be treated as an endorsement or recommendation by Coburns Party Wall.
Before instructing a surveyor, speak to them. Ask about their experience, approach, availability and fees, and make sure that they understand your particular matter and meet your needs.
Read Coburns Party Wall guidance before appointing a surveyor →
Coburns Party Wall is included in regional or national rankings where it satisfies the same published eligibility requirements as every other practice. It receives no additional weighting or preferential treatment. Its Google rating, review volume, published fees and Fee Value are assessed using the same methodology applied to every other qualifying firm.