Acoustic Consultancy, Noise Monitoring & Sound Testing in London and the Home Counties

Yes. If you’re building new dwellings or converting existing ones into flats or houses, you must demonstrate compliance with Approved Document E by conducting pre-completion sound insulation testing between adjoining walls and floors.

A BS8233 noise survey assesses whether environmental noise levels are suitable for residential developments. It is typically required during the planning process for new housing projects, especially in busy areas like London or near major roads in counties like Kent and Sussex.

BS4142 assessments evaluate industrial or commercial noise (e.g., from plant equipment or air source heat pumps) and its impact on nearby residents. It’s a critical requirement for planning applications involving mechanical installations or industrial use.

Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 allows construction developers to apply for prior consent from the Local Authority for noisy works. In busy urban areas like London or Crawley, obtaining Section 61 consent can help avoid complaints, project delays, and legal penalties.

Costs vary by project size, but prices are generally competitive due to our wide network. For example, testing in Greater London or Surrey typically starts from around £325 + VAT. Contact us for an accurate quote based on your site’s specifics.

Only accredited professionals (such as UKAS-accredited testers or Members of the Institute of Acoustics) should perform these tests. NOVA Acoustics Ltd is UKAS-accredited and operates across London, the Home Counties and the South East.

Testing should be carried out once all internal construction is complete—doors, windows, floors, ceilings, and finishes should be installed. Ideally, schedule testing at least 5 working days before handover to avoid delays.

We’ll identify why the structure failed (e.g., poor sealing or structural flanking), advise you on corrective steps, and re-test once improvements are made. Our consultants provide remedial design advice to help you pass on re-test.

Yes, if your site is near sensitive receptors like residential areas, schools, or hospitals. Monitoring helps meet planning requirements, avoids complaints, and ensures compliance with Section 61 and BS 5228 guidelines.

We use Class 1 sound level meters and triaxial vibration sensors capable of real-time data logging. These are suitable for BS 4142, BS 5228, and BS 6472 compliance and can be deployed across sites in Sussex, Oxfordshire, and beyond.

A Noise at Work survey measures occupational noise exposure and helps employers comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. It’s vital for industries in Essex, Hertfordshire, and other manufacturing-heavy counties.

The lower action value is 80 dB(A) and the upper action value is 85 dB(A). If these are exceeded, employers must take action such as providing hearing protection, implementing controls, and offering health surveillance.

Yes, many leases in places like London or Surrey require sound insulation performance equal to or better than existing carpets. We recommend pre- and post-installation testing plus acoustic design consultation to avoid lease violations.

Flanking occurs when sound travels indirectly through structural elements (e.g., walls or floors) that aren’t part of the separating construction. It’s a common reason for failed tests and must be addressed in design.

We cover all of Greater London and the Home Counties, including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, and Surrey. We also operate in Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Sussex, and Crawley, offering both on-site and remote services tailored to your needs.

Yes. Our consultants cover every borough in Greater London, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Tower Hamlets, and beyond. We provide both on-site visits and remote support, depending on your project needs.

Absolutely. We regularly perform Part E pre-completion sound insulation tests in Reading, Luton, and other areas across the Home Counties. Our UKAS-accredited team ensures full compliance with Building Regulations.

Yes. From commercial offices in Chelmsford to retail spaces in Crawley or mixed-use developments in Ipswich, our team delivers noise surveys, monitoring, and acoustic design tailored to your sector.

We can usually mobilise within 24–48 hours for urgent projects in London. For larger developments, advance scheduling is recommended to ensure smooth site coordination.

Yes. Our consultants have extensive experience liaising with local planning departments across London. We regularly prepare BS8233 and BS4142 noise assessments to meet borough-specific planning requirements.

A BS8233 survey measures baseline noise levels at your site and provides expert recommendations on façade design, glazing, and ventilation to ensure compliance with residential noise standards.

Yes. We design acoustic solutions for classrooms, lecture halls, hospitals, and care facilities in line with BB93 and HTM standards, ensuring optimal environments for learning, recovery, and privacy.

Yes. We conduct MCS 020 assessments to ensure domestic heat pump installations comply with permitted development rules, helping avoid planning objections.

Yes. We frequently prepare reports and liaise with planning officers, Environmental Health teams, and local councils to smooth approval processes.

Yes. If you are converting a property into flats or apartments, you must carry out pre-completion sound testing to demonstrate compliance with Part E of the Building Regulations.

Yes. Many leasehold agreements require sound insulation testing before and after hard flooring installation. We provide the necessary tests and reports to satisfy Licence to Alter clauses.

Yes. Our team regularly travels across Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, and nearby counties to complete pre-completion testing for developers and contractors.

If a property fails, we identify the likely cause (e.g., poor detailing, flanking paths) and provide design advice or remedial strategies to achieve compliance. Retesting can then be arranged.

Section 61 consent is often required for construction or demolition projects in London to control noise impact. We can prepare applications and provide ongoing monitoring to demonstrate compliance.

Yes. We provide fully managed monitoring with real-time dashboards and SMS/email alerts for projects across Kent, Surrey, and surrounding areas.

Yes. We set up temporary monitoring stations at outdoor events such as music festivals or motorsports venues to ensure compliance with licence conditions.

Yes. For large-scale projects, we provide end-to-end monitoring, compliance reporting, and liaison with local authorities.

The lower exposure action value is 80 dB(A), where employers must provide hearing protection and information. The upper value is 85 dB(A), requiring additional measures such as hearing protection zones.

Yes. We deliver consistent reporting across multiple sites, helping large businesses manage compliance efficiently.

Yes. We provide discounted rates for developers requiring testing across multiple plots, helping reduce per-unit costs.

For most sound insulation tests, results are available the same day, with a full UKAS-accredited report issued within 24–48 hours.

Yes. We provide free, no-obligation quotations at any stage, including pre-planning, to help you budget and plan ahead.