How do I build an extension next to a party wall?
Question:I have a victorian semi detached house and want to extend out the back of the property. The extension would be about 10 foot x 10 foot and would be 2 stories.
My problem is this...
I have an existing party wall, where I ideally want one wall to be. Next door already has a single storey extension attached to this wall. The footings are no good, so I can't build on top of it , and can't use it for my extension.
This means I need to come away from the wall to build a new wall, loosing space in the extension.
Does anyone know how I can build as closely as possible to the existing wall? I don't have much room to play with so every inch is crucial!
Answers:
wow
your neighbors problem is about to become your problem if you aren't careful
the cheapest way to deal with this is to stay away from their wall. if anything happens to there property while you are doing yours, you will get stuck paying for.
is the property so narrow that you only have ten feet at the width to do this addition.
I would offset it by about 6 feet if you could.
If you can't offset it, I would try to get them onboard with paying for underpinning their existing foundation when you dig yours.
what a can of worms
That's a tough one. All I can think of is to dig a new footing right next to existing party wall( without disturbing existing party wall footings) and then build right to existing party wall on top of new footing.This could also help support party wall if there are structural issues.
If party wall has siding on it, remove it, like you said every inch is crucial.
My understanding of a party wall is that where one exists between two adjoining properties, both property owners are responsible for the structural integrity of the wall, even if it is entirely on one property. If the footings of the party wall are no good, I would think that would compromise the structural integrity of the wall. So...perhaps you and your next door neighbor should share the cost to strengthen or shore up the footings. Then you would be able to build your extension on top of it without losing any space.
If you own both properties, you should maybe still think about repairing the party wall footings, as it would be sad if you built your extension next to it - thereby losing some space - and then the party wall collapses and tears everything up.
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