Advice on Noise from 'Do-it-Yourself' and Building Activities

DIY activities can generate significant noise, often leading to complaints from neighbours. The information below, provides simple precautions to help you minimize noise disturbance in your home.

Many household tasks require DIY efforts, especially during moves or redecorations. However, it's essential to be considerate of your neighbours' peace and quiet.

Reducing Noise

Keep noisy activities to reasonable hours and consider the type of work being done. Noisy activities include:

• Hand tools: Limit the use of hammers, saws, etc. to specific hours.
• Power tools: Drills, saws, and sanders can be loud.
• Heavy equipment: Hiring professional-grade tools like pneumatic hammers or large saws requires extra consideration due to their noise levels.
• Wall and floor work: Activities like wallpaper stripping or sanding can be surprisingly loud.

Informing Neighbours

It's helpful to inform neighbours about ongoing work and its expected duration to manage expectations and alleviate concerns.

Recommended DIY Hours

Noisy DIY activities should be limited to:

• Monday to Friday: 9am to 7pm
• Saturday: 9am to 5pm
• Sunday or Bank Holidays: 10am to 2pm

Quiet tasks like painting or decorating can be done beyond these hours, as long as they don't disturb neighbours.

Choosing Equipment

Using appropriate and well-maintained equipment can reduce noise levels and improve efficiency.

Music Volume

While music can make DIY more enjoyable, keep the volume low, especially in the evenings.

Ventilation

Where possible, keep doors and windows closed during noisy work to minimize disturbance to neighbours.

Emergency Situations

In emergencies like water leaks or electrical faults, noisy repairs may be unavoidable. Communicate with neighbours and explain the situation to foster understanding.

Building Works

Construction projects should adhere to similar noise guidelines, with noisy activities restricted to reasonable hours.

Informing Neighbours

Advance notice of construction work and its duration helps manage expectations and reduce uncertainty for neighbours.

Noise Reduction Measures

Professional building firms should use the best available means to minimize noise, including using appropriate equipment and adhering to regulations.

Environmental Health Measures

Environmental Health authorities have powers to regulate noise on construction sites to ensure compliance with legislation.

Recommended Building Hours

Building firms should restrict noisy activities to:

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
• Saturday: 8am to 1pm
• No noisy work on Sundays or Bank Holidays

Excessive noise during these hours can still be subject to action if it disrupts neighbours.