Demolition and construction site noise

Demolition and construction works can be noisy and impactful. The law aims to strike a balance between allowing building work to take place without too much disturbance to local residents.

Guidelines for noisy construction works

Construction work is within the guidelines if the site:

• is managed well
• keeps to the recommended voluntary guideline hours for the most noise generating works, for example, demolition, pile driving and jackhammering 
• takes all reasonable steps to reduce noise

The developer or builder has a responsibility to keep the noise down 'where reasonably practicable'. For example, they may not be able to make a pneumatic drill quiet, but they can use a noise-reducing jacket if necessary. 

Guidelines hours

The recommended voluntary guideline hours for noisy works are:

• 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday
• 8am and 1pm on Saturdays

The site can open 1 hour before and 1 hour after the recommended guideline hours. Machinery can be started up and cooled down and deliveries can be accepted to the site during this hour. 

Noisy works should not take place on:

• Sundays
• Bank Holidays

Work can continue to take place outside these hours if:

• contractors are not causing any excessive noise (painting and decorating or plastering, for example)
• health and safety requires it
• in the event of an emergency or with prior notification to the council

DIY noise

If you need to carry out DIY tasks, unless it is an emergency, try to avoid:

• early in the morning, particularly at the weekends
• late in the evenings
• at times that your neighbour asks you to avoid for a genuine reason

Noise complaints

If you have a noise complaint due to a neighbour’s builders or a construction site working outside of the recommended hours, try to discuss your concerns with your neighbours or the developer directly. If there is no improvement, please follow the guidance to report a noise problem.