Residential Acoustic
Design & Part E
Sound insulation between dwellings.
Design-stage acoustic consultancy for residential Part E — flats, conversions, terraces and HMOs. Compliant build-ups specified before construction, fast turnaround, and unlimited report revisions.
- Fast turnaround — 1–10 working days
- Unlimited report revisions
- Approved Document E (Part E) covered
Part E
Residential
1–10 days
Turnaround
Unlimited
Revisions
45dB
Airborne target
What is acoustic design consultancy?
Acoustic design consultancy specifies the wall, floor and ceiling build-ups that will meet Approved Document E (Part E) — before anything is built. It starts with establishing the required performance for sound insulation between dwellings: 45dB airborne and 62dB impact for new builds, or 43dB/64dB for conversions.
Once the standard is agreed, we work with clients to deliver thorough, compliant, cost-effective solutions conforming to current regulations and guidelines. Our aim is to: comply with national and local requirements · reduce noise and vibration for occupants · avoid future acoustic disputes · optimise the acoustic properties of the building.
Why engage early?
At design stage, the cheapest way to hit the standard is to select the right build-up. By tender, options narrow and margins disappear. By construction, the only remedies are expensive. Acoustic design is cheap insurance against sound test failures and neighbour complaints.
How does it fit with sound testing?
Acoustic design is the specification; sound insulation testing is the verification. We offer both in-house — and where we've done the design, our sound testing team already knows the build-up, making diagnostics faster if a test ever struggles.
Acoustic design for every dwelling type.
One provider covering every residential Part E scenario — new builds, flats, conversions and HMOs — with sound insulation between dwellings designed in from the start.
New Build — Part E
Approved Document E compliance for residential new builds — specifying party wall and floor build-ups that will hit 45dB airborne and 62dB impact. Design recommendations the contractor can actually source.
- Party wall & floor specification
- Commercially available products
- Integrated with sound testing
Renovation & Conversion
Change-of-use projects (house to flats, commercial to residential) at the lower Part E thresholds (43dB/64dB). Existing structures often need acoustic upgrades that we specify without over-engineering.
- Existing structure modelling
- Minimum-cost upgrades recommended
Flats & Apartment Blocks
Separating wall and floor build-ups between apartments — the highest-risk Part E scenario. Designed to pass first time and head off neighbour-noise complaints before they start.
- Separating wall & floor specification
- Impact & airborne targets met
HMOs
Houses in multiple occupation where Part E sound insulation applies between bedrooms and dwellings. Build-ups specified to keep occupants — and Building Control — happy first time.
- Room-to-room sound insulation
- Part E thresholds met
Design & test under one roof.
Acoustic specification at design stage, verification testing at completion, and remedial diagnostics if anything surprises you in between.
Clear value up front
Advice and product-level recommendations included — no hidden fees for conversations with your contractor or architect team.
Part E Specialists
Approved Document E sound insulation between dwellings — flats, conversions, terraces and HMOs. A focused residential team that lives and breathes Part E.
Fast Turnaround
Most residential Part E designs turned around in 1–10 working days from receiving your brief and plans. Working to a deadline? Tell us and we will confirm we can hit it.
Unlimited Report Revisions
Plans change, build-ups get swapped, Building Control asks questions. We revise your acoustic design report as many times as needed — at no extra cost — until it works.
Planning & Building Control Reports
Acoustic design reports tailored for planning submissions (where acoustics is a planning condition) or Building Control (demonstrating Part E compliance).
Integrated With Sound Testing
Our sound testing team delivers the verification test once the build is complete. Where we've done the design, we already know the build-up — making diagnostics faster if a test ever struggles.
One Provider, Nationwide
Residential Part E acoustic design across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — one team, every UK region.
Where acoustic design pays for itself.
Six common scenarios where upfront acoustic design is cheaper than late-stage remediation. Engage us early and you avoid all of these.
Residential new build
Approved Document E compliance for blocks of flats, semi-detached and terraced housing. Party wall and floor build-ups specified to meet 45dB airborne and 62dB impact.
Flats & apartment blocks
Separating wall and floor build-ups between apartments — the highest-risk Part E scenario. Designed to pass first time and reduce neighbour-noise complaints.
Renovation & conversion
Change-of-use projects (house to flats) at the lower Part E thresholds (43dB/64dB). Existing structures often need acoustic upgrades to hit standard.
HMOs
Houses in multiple occupation where Part E sound insulation applies between bedrooms and dwellings. Build-ups specified to keep occupants — and Building Control — happy.
Fast design turnaround
Most residential Part E designs delivered in 1–10 working days. Working to a planning or Building Control deadline? Tell us and we will confirm we can hit it.
Acoustic remediation
Where a dwelling has already failed its sound test, our acoustic consultancy models the existing build-up, identifies the weak point, and recommends the specific remediation.
Three steps to your acoustic design report.
From brief to design-stage report in your inbox. Structured, standards-aware, and with a clear handover to the testing team at completion.
Send Us The Brief
Dwelling type (new build, flats, conversion or HMO), plans and any existing acoustic constraints. We confirm the scope, quote a fixed fee and agree a design-stage deadline — typically 1–10 working days.
We Design
We specify wall, floor and ceiling build-ups, service isolation, room-to-room partition strategies, and produce the acoustic design report your architect or contractor can work from.
Test & Verify
When construction reaches test stage, our sound insulation testing team verifies the installed build-up. Since we designed it, any diagnostic questions are resolved faster.
Project-based pricing.
Acoustic design is quoted per project based on dwelling type, number of party walls and floors, and scope. Send us the brief for a fixed-fee quote.
Pricing depends on dwelling type, the number of party walls and floors, and design scope under Approved Document E (Part E). Bundled pricing available when combined with sound insulation testing.
- Design-stage build-up specification
- Planning & Building Control reports
- Fast 1–10 working day turnaround
- Unlimited report revisions
*Pricing depends on project complexity, dwelling type and the number of party walls and floors. Contact us for an accurate quote.
Get your acoustic design quote
Takes 60 seconds. No obligation. Working to a design-stage deadline? Tell us — we'll prioritise your project.
Acoustic design questions.
Everything you need to know about residential Part E acoustic design — turnaround, revisions, reports, and how it fits with sound testing.
Still Got a Question? Ask Us What is acoustic design consultancy?
Acoustic design consultancy works with architects, developers and contractors to specify wall, floor and ceiling build-ups that meet Approved Document E (Part E) sound insulation requirements between dwellings — before construction starts. It's a design-stage discipline, not a test.
When should I engage an acoustic consultant?
As early as possible — ideally at concept or planning stage. By the time party wall build-ups are tendered, most of the cheap design levers are gone. Engaging early lets us specify compliant build-ups that the contractor can price and install with confidence.
How much does acoustic consultancy cost?
Acoustic design is quoted per project based on complexity — number of party walls and floors, number of dwellings, and whether dynamic modelling or standard build-up specification is needed. Send us the brief and we quote a fixed fee.
What's the difference between acoustic design and sound testing?
Acoustic design sits at the front of the project — specifying build-ups that will meet the standard. Sound testing sits at the back — verifying that what was built actually performs. A well-designed build-up dramatically reduces the risk of a test failure. We offer both, and often bundle them.
What standards do you cover?
We focus on Approved Document E (Part E) — sound insulation between dwellings for residential new builds, conversions, flats and HMOs. If you have a specific Part E requirement in mind, tell us at quote stage.
Do you produce reports for planning or Building Control?
Yes — we produce acoustic design reports suitable for both planning submissions (where acoustics is a planning condition) and Building Control (demonstrating how Part E compliance will be achieved). Reports are tailored to the audience.
Can you recommend specific products?
Yes. We work with detailed knowledge of acoustic products — resilient bars, acoustic plasterboard, isolators, floating floors — and can recommend build-ups using products your contractor can actually source. No ivory-tower specifications.
What happens if a sound test fails later?
If we have designed the acoustic strategy, we can model the as-built construction, identify the likely weak point, and recommend the specific remedial work. For projects where we didn't do the design but the test has failed, our sound testing team offers the same diagnostic service.
How quickly can you turn a design around?
Fast. Most residential Part E acoustic designs are turned around in 1–10 working days from receiving the brief and plans. Tell us your deadline and we'll confirm we can hit it before you commit.
What if I need changes to the report?
Revisions are unlimited. If your plans change, a build-up needs swapping, or Building Control asks a question, we revise the acoustic design report as many times as needed at no extra cost until it works for your project.
Do you cover all UK regions?
Yes. We deliver acoustic design consultancy across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with acoustic consultants across the UK.