Typical 2026 fees
How much does a noise assessment cost?
A noise assessment for a planning application, normally carried out against BS 4142 for industrial and commercial sound or BS 8233 for internal noise in buildings, typically costs £750–£1,500; a workplace noise survey under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 sits in a similar band (typical 2026 fees; monitoring duration and site complexity move the number). Tell us what the assessment is for and relevant acoustic consultants will quote their fee for the matter directly.
How it works
- Tell us what the assessment is for, planning, workplace or plant noise. Two minutes, no account.
- We pass your details to relevant acoustic consultants covering your postcode, and to no one else.
- They contact you directly, confirm the scope and standard, and quote their fee. Compare, choose, or walk away.
Noise Assessment Cost is a free introduction service operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd; we pass your details to relevant acoustic consultants who quote you directly. We may receive a fee from providers; you pay nothing and are under no obligation. We are not an acoustic consultancy and nothing here is professional or legal advice, fee figures are typical 2026 quote ranges that vary by region, monitoring duration and complexity. BS 4142 and BS 8233 are named for identification only.
Typical noise assessment fees, 2026
Last updated
What noise assessments typically cost in the UK in 2026, by assessment type. These are typical quote ranges, not fixed prices: monitoring duration is the main variable, an assessment needing a week of unattended baseline monitoring costs more than one built on a single attended visit.
Ranges reflect typical fees quoted for UK acoustic consultancy work in 2026; they vary by region, monitoring duration, the number of measurement positions and reporting complexity. Planning assessments are normally carried out against BS 4142 (rating industrial and commercial sound) and BS 8233 (internal ambient noise in buildings); workplace exposure assessment follows the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and HSE guidance (hse.gov.uk/noise). Standards named for identification; get exact fees for your site via the form above.
| Assessment | Typical fee (2026 quotes) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planning noise assessment (BS 4142 / BS 8233) | £750–£1,500 | Baseline monitoring, assessment against the relevant standard, and a report for the planning authority |
| Workplace noise survey (Noise at Work Regulations 2005) | £750–£1,500 | Similar band; scales with the number of work areas and employees measured |
| Plant / heat pump noise assessment | Often at or below the planning band | Single-source assessments with short monitoring sit at the low end; verify against quotes |
| Long-duration or multi-source schemes | £1,500+ | Week-long baseline monitoring, multiple facades or sources, or contested sites push fees up |
- A planning noise assessment typically costs £750–£1,500 (typical 2026 fees), carried out against BS 4142 for industrial and commercial sound or BS 8233 for internal noise in buildings.
- A workplace noise survey under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 typically sits in the same £750–£1,500 band (typical 2026 fees).
- The Noise at Work Regulations set a lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A) and an upper of 85 dB(A) daily or weekly personal noise exposure (hse.gov.uk/noise).
Cite this page
“Typical noise assessment fees, 2026”, Noise Assessment Cost, https://noiseassessmentcost.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14). Ranges reflect typical fees quoted for UK acoustic consultancy work in 2026; they vary by region, monitoring duration, the number of measurement positions and reporting complexity. Planning assessments are normally carried out against BS 4142 (rating industrial and commercial sound) and BS 8233 (internal ambient noise in buildings); workplace exposure assessment follows the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and HSE guidance (hse.gov.uk/noise). Standards named for identification; get exact fees for your site via the form above.
Go deeper
Sourced, dated, kept current.
Noise assessment for planning: when councils ask and what it costs
Planning noise assessments typically cost £750–£1,500 (2026 fees), assessed against BS 4142 or BS 8233. When councils require one and what the report must contain.
Workplace noise assessment: the 80/85 dB(A) action values and costs
Workplace noise surveys under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 typically cost £750–£1,500 (2026 fees). The 80/85 dB(A) action values and employer duties.
BS 4142 noise assessment: what it is, when it's needed and the cost
A BS 4142 assessment rates industrial and commercial sound against background levels at homes. When councils require one, how it works and typical 2026 fees.
Straight answers
How much does a noise assessment cost?
Typically £750–£1,500 for a planning noise assessment, with workplace noise surveys in a similar band (typical 2026 fees). Monitoring duration, the number of measurement positions and reporting complexity move the fee, so get quotes for your actual site.
What standards are noise assessments carried out against?
Planning assessments normally use BS 4142 for rating industrial and commercial sound affecting homes, and BS 8233 for internal ambient noise in buildings. Workplace exposure assessment follows the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and HSE guidance. Your consultant applies whichever the council or regulator expects.
When does a planning application need a noise assessment?
Broadly, when it brings homes to noise (dwellings near roads, railways or commercial uses) or noise to homes (plant, venues, industrial uses near residential). Councils flag it in validation requirements or attach it as a condition; the Planning Practice Guidance on noise sets the policy frame.
What are the workplace noise action values?
Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005: a lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A) and an upper of 85 dB(A) daily or weekly personal exposure, plus an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A) taking hearing protection into account, with corresponding peak values. Details at hse.gov.uk/noise.
How long does a noise assessment take?
Attended surveys can be measured in hours; unattended baseline monitoring commonly runs several days and sometimes a week, because it must capture representative conditions including night-time where relevant. Reporting typically follows within one to two weeks. Monitoring duration is also the main driver of the fee.
Is this quote service really free?
Yes, free to you, with no obligation to accept any quote. We pass your details only to relevant acoustic consultants, who quote you directly; we may receive a fee from those providers, which is how the service is funded.