What a acoustic survey covers
An acoustic survey measures airborne and impact sound transmission within and between dwellings, alongside ambient noise from external sources (traffic, neighbours, plant). Surveys produce dB-rated measurements against Building Regulations Part E (UK England & Wales) and equivalent standards in Scotland and Northern Ireland, informing remediation or new-build compliance.
- Airborne sound insulation testing between rooms / dwellings
- Impact sound transmission testing (footfall, dropped objects)
- Ambient noise survey (24-hour or peak-period)
- Reverberation time measurement in living spaces
- Plant noise assessment (heat pumps, MVHR, extract fans)
- Written report against applicable regulatory standard
Typical findings
- Conversion flats with insufficient floor / ceiling separation under Part E
- Newly fitted heat pumps emitting low-frequency hum impacting bedroom sleep
- Single-glazed bedrooms with traffic noise above WHO sleep-disturbance threshold
- Newer-build flats with airborne sound transmission within Part E margin but disturbing in use
- Reverberant rooms (hard-floored, minimal soft furnishing) compounding noise complaints
Typical cost: £550-£1,200 typical residential acoustic survey, £900-£2,500 with multiple test points and 24-hour ambient logging
When to book: When noise from neighbours, road, or plant is impacting sleep or wellbeing, before commissioning sound-proofing work, before installing or after-noise-complaint with an external heat pump or MVHR unit, or to support a Part E compliance dispute on a new-build.
Required qualifications for assessor: Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Diploma, Member of the Institute of Acoustics (MIOA), with UKAS-accredited equipment calibration