Thoughtful, fast-growing force in sustainable consultancy harnessing analytical theory to deliver multiple projects. Rightly gaining national recognition.
Judges, Bristol Property Awards 2025
Acoustic Testing helps you demonstrate compliance with the sound insulation requirements that apply to your development before completion – delivered through our trusted ANC-accredited testing partner.
Pre-completion sound insulation testing is a legal requirement for newly built dwellings, conversions and residential units such as flats, hotels and care homes – governed by Approved Document E in England and Wales, Section 5 in Scotland and Technical Booklet G in Northern Ireland. Testing must be carried out by a suitably qualified, accredited acoustic consultant, and the results directly affect Building Control sign-off – get it wrong, or leave it too late in the build programme, and it can hold up completion.
We don’t carry out acoustic testing directly – instead, we refer this work to our trusted partner organisation, Acoustic Consultants, registered under the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) accredited scheme, in the same way they refer air tightness testing work to us. It means you get specialist, accredited acoustic testing without having to source and vet a separate consultant yourself.
Why work with us?
Experience
We work with Acoustic Consultants, a long-standing, ANC-accredited testing partner for all acoustic testing referrals, in a reciprocal relationship – they refer their air tightness testing needs to us in turn. It means you’re introduced to a consultant we know and trust, not an unknown name from a search result.
Award-winning
Winner, Consultancy – 2025 Bristol Property Awards
Winner, Supply Chain Partner of the Year – 2025 Unlock Net Zero Awards.
Winner, Retrofit Assessor of the Year – 2023 Retrofit Academy Awards.
Highly Commended, Employer of the Year – 2023 Retrofit Academy Awards.
Speed
We refer acoustic testing enquiries directly to our trusted partner, so there’s no unnecessary delay finding the right specialist for your project – just let them know Building Energy Experts sent you.
Pricing
Cost depends on the scale and complexity of the project – from a single property to a large-scale portfolio.
Our rate card is reviewed regularly, so we’re confident you won’t find better value elsewhere. If you’ve found a lower quote for comparable work, let us know – we’ll match or beat it.
Support
Energy efficiency, decarbonisation and building regulation can be genuinely complex.
We’ve worked hard to explain a range of topics in plain English to help non-experts get the information they need.
We use Building Energy Experts for all our air testing in the southwest. Jack and his team provide an excellent service, with fast turnaround times, helpful and most importantly correct advice and results.
Blake Lucas, Director at Acoustic Consultants – Air tightness testing
Understanding Acoustic Testing: Your Questions Answered
What is acoustic testing, and when is it required?
Acoustic testing (pre-completion sound insulation testing) is a legal requirement for newly built dwellings, conversions, and residential units such as flats, hotels and care homes. It confirms that party walls and floors meet the sound insulation standards set out in Approved Document E (England & Wales), Section 5 of the Building Standards (Scotland) or Technical Booklet G (Northern Ireland) before Building Control will sign off the development.
What performance standards does the test need to meet?
New Build (walls & floors): airborne sound insulation must achieve a minimum of 45 dB DnT,w+Ctr (higher is better), and impact sound insulation must not exceed 62 dB L’nT,w (lower is better).
Conversion / Material Change of Use: airborne sound insulation must achieve a minimum of 43 dB DnT,w+Ctr (higher is better), and impact sound insulation must not exceed 64 dB L’nT,w (lower is better).
What do the tests actually measure?
Tests cover two types of sound: airborne sound (speech, TV, general noise) transmitted through party walls and floors and impact sound (footsteps, moving furniture) transmitted through party floors, measured using a calibrated tapping machine.
How many tests will my development need?
Standard regulations require one set of tests for every 10 units in a group or sub-group. A standard test set generally includes 2 airborne wall tests, 2 airborne floor tests and 2 impact floor tests between habitable rooms.
When on-site does testing need to happen?
Testing must take place pre-completion once the building envelope is fully sealed (walls plastered, internal and external doors and windows fitted, power operational) but before soft floor coverings such as carpets, laminate or underlay go down.
Who’s qualified to carry out the test, can I do it myself?
Building Control only accepts results from a qualified acoustic consultant accredited through UKAS or the ANC Registration Scheme – our partner, Acoustic Consultants, is registered under the latter.
What other acoustic services does your partner provide?
Beyond pre-completion sound insulation testing, our partner also offers:
– Reverberation Control & Testing
– Construction Noise and Vibration
– Environmental Impact Assessment
– Noise Monitoring
– Acoustic Testing
– Noise Mitigation Advice
– Environmental Noise Assessment
– Noise Modelling
– Noise Impact Assessments
– Sound Insulation Testing
– Plant Noise Assessment
– BREEAM Assessments
– Rain Noise Building Services
– Sound Insulation Advice
– Internal Acoustics
Need Acoustic Testing?
Our friendly team is ready to point you in the right direction. Whether you need a free consultation to discuss your options or want an introduction to our trusted acoustic testing partner, we are here to help – just let them know Building Energy Experts sent you.
Other New Build Compliance Needs
Acoustic testing is just one piece of new build compliance. If you also need Part L air tightness testing, SAP or SBEM calculations, Part O overheating assessments or Part F ventilation testing for your development, Building Energy Experts can help directly.
