Birmingham and the West Midlands

Boundary surveyor in Solihull

Independent boundary investigation, Early Neutral Evaluation and private joint expert determination for property owners and solicitors.

Evidence firstDocuments, physical features and relevant history.
Proportionate scopeDesktop advice or a site visit where agreed.
A route to resolutionIndependent advice or a binding joint determination.

Coburns accepts boundary instructions in Solihull. Start with the two property addresses, the disputed section and the evidence you already hold. Site attendance is arranged by agreement, subject to the instruction and access.

Check the boundary before an extension or garage rebuild

For an instruction around Solihull, Shirley or Knowle involving a garage or side extension, the important comparison is between the proposed footprint and the evidence for the legal boundary. A planning drawing may show a setback for design purposes. That setback should not be assumed to be an agreed ownership line, particularly where an older garage or fence has already been replaced.

Useful evidence for this type of instruction

  • Supply the original and proposed drawings, clearly labelled with their dates.
  • Record the existing garage wall, roof overhang and nearby fence separately.
  • Explain whether the neighbour disputes the new design, the ownership line or both.

Local records to consider

Solihull’s Public Access service includes planning records from 1947, with some older material available through a request rather than online. Check whether a missing historic drawing can be obtained before relying only on the current layout.

Council planning drawings can help explain past layouts. They do not determine the legal boundary or replace title evidence. The correct council depends on the actual property address, and older documents may need to be requested.

Choose the right boundary service

Early Neutral Evaluation

A preliminary assessment of the key evidence and a proportionate next step: £400 + VAT desktop only, or £750 + VAT with a site visit.

Boundary Investigation Report

A fuller evidence review and reasoned opinion, from £950 + VAT, typically £950–£1,200 + VAT depending on title complexity.

Private joint expert: binding determination

Both parties appoint one independent expert and agree in writing to accept the determination. £1,800–£2,400 + VAT total, approximately £900–£1,200 + VAT each on an equal split. Scope and fees are confirmed before instruction.

Does planning permission authorise building over the boundary?

Planning approval does not itself give ownership of a neighbour’s land or permission to trespass. Establish the property rights separately.

Building close to the boundary →

Coverage around Solihull

This page covers instructions in Solihull, Shirley, Olton, Knowle, Dorridge. Tell us the actual address when enquiring so we can confirm attendance and the appropriate scope.

Get a clear starting point

Email the property addresses, a short account of the disagreement and the title documents or plans available. Include any urgent construction or transaction dates.

Enquire about boundary services in Solihull →
Important: General information, not legal advice. Boundary disputes are fact-sensitive. A private expert determination binds the parties under their agreement; a report alone does not automatically bind a neighbour or alter the Land Registry register. Obtain appropriate legal advice where litigation, binding terms or changes to title are involved.