Pre-completion sound testing checks how well new homes and converted flats stop everyday noise before anyone moves in. It happens near handover, once doors, windows, and services are in place and the rooms are quiet enough to measure.
The goal is straightforward: assess airborne and impact performance against Approved Document E so any weak spots can be fixed while access is simple. If you are arranging sound testing in Wiltshire, the process is the same as anywhere else. A clean schedule, a quiet site, and a prepared set of rooms usually mean a smooth visit and fewer surprises at the end of the build.
How the Testing Works
Two groups of measurements are used. For airborne sound, a calibrated loudspeaker plays a steady noise in one room while a sound level metre records what gets through to the other side of the wall or floor. For impact sound, a tapping machine strikes the floor above in a repeatable pattern and the level is measured in the room below.
The tester also records background noise and reverberation time so the final numbers are corrected properly. In practice, the engineer arrives with a clear plan, checks the layout, closes any temporary openings, and runs a standardised sequence so the results stand up to scrutiny.
Why the Result Matters
Noise affects sleep, stress, and privacy. Good results protect neighbours from TV bass, footfall, and loud conversation. They also protect the build programme. A pass avoids rework, delayed completions, and awkward discussions at handover.
Buyers and tenants can tell when a place feels quiet. Lenders and warranty providers look for that quality signal as well. Passing the test is more than a box tick; it is a tangible mark of care in the construction.
What are Common Reasons for Failing a Sound Insulation Test?
Small defects cause big losses. Unsealed service penetrations act like little loudspeakers. A thin gap at the skirting line can undo an expensive wall build-up. Lightweight doors used where a separating wall should be continuous leak speech. Resilient bars shorted by stray screws pass vibration straight into structure.
The most common offenders are junctions, particularly where a new partition abuts an existing shell. Improperly fitted socket boxes, openings around steelwork and cracks at window reveals also lower performance. The solution is pragmatic: work out the plan well in advance, snap important steps, and consider sealant work as an acoustic feature, rather than a decorative one.
Passing First Time: Practical Steps
Start with design. Choose wall and floor build-ups supported by test data, not guesswork. During first fix, seal every pipe, cable, and box with appropriate compounds and keep cavities continuous at perimeters. Do not bridge resilient layers with fixings. Before booking, run a quiet site check.
Close doors, listen for whistling gaps, feel for draughts, and look for lines of light at thresholds. On test day, keep trades out of the test units, switch off radios and plant, and brief security to limit access. If remedial work is needed, address the root cause, not just the symptom. A neat bead of the right sealant in the right place is more effective than an extra layer added at random.
Regional Logistics and Timing
Capacity moves with the season. Book early if your handover window is tight. On larger schemes, block-book visits to match your build stages and reduce idle time. Developers arranging sound testing in Berkshire often pair it with airtightness checks when the same units are site-ready.
Teams procuring sound testing in Oxfordshire benefit from named engineers and next-day reporting so snagging can start immediately. Coordinators booking sound testing Hampshire sometimes hold a contingency slot in case deliveries or external noise force a re-run. A single spare appointment can protect an entire completion schedule.
Choosing a Competent Tester
Use a UKAS accredited provider and ask for sample reports. Check how they handle tricky geometries, flanking paths, and high background noise. Expect clear preparation notes before arrival, punctuality on the day, and a report that explains both the numbers and the likely causes if something falls short. The best firms advise during design, not just at the finish line, and will flag risks early enough for the site team to act.
Conclusion
Pre-completion sound testing is a short appointment with long consequences. Plan the details, prepare the rooms, and bring in an accredited specialist early enough to use their advice. Do that and you are more likely to pass first time, cut end-of-project stress, and hand over homes that sound as good as they look.