How much does soundproofing a room cost?

Whether you’re living near an airport or just want to build an entertainment centre, soundproofing can help bring back peace into your home. But how much does a soundproof room cost?

There are two main cost factors involved in soundproofing a room:

• Labour costs

• Cost of materials

The cost of soundproofing a room in Australia ranges from $100 to $350 for labour. The cost of materials varies depending on the type, brand, and level of acoustic insulation. In addition to these, costs can still go up depending on the size and location of the area to be soundproofed.

Feeling confused about the costs to soundproof? With our price guide, you can find out how much it costs to soundproof a room and make an informed choice for your own home.

Top factors that affect soundproofing costs

Soundproofing material

When it comes to soundproofing a room, there is a range of materials that you can choose from. Some of the most common materials are foams, batts, boards and panels, drywall, paints, and even curtains! Of course, soundproofing costs will depend on the material you choose. Textured paint is one of the common budget options, while an acoustic insulation slab is one of the more premium sides.

The cost per material can also vary per brand and level of noise you want to filter. Low noise coverage would use cheaper materials, while high levels of noise would use more specialised materials. A soundproofing expert can help you find the best material fit for your home and your budget.

Area to soundproof

Domestic soundproofing costs will also depend on the area to be soundproofed, its size and scale. Walls are often the cheapest, with materials starting at $25, while ceilings are slightly more expensive, starting at $50.

If the room is circular, curved, or uneven, fees might be higher since irregular are more complicated to soundproof.

Soundproofing technique

There are a variety of soundproofing techniques that can help reduce the noise inside your home. For walls, you can choose to build a second wall or fix soundproof materials or acoustic insulators on an existing wall. How much to soundproof a room would depend on which method you choose.

Labour

The cost of installation is one of the biggest factors that can affect how much soundproofing costs. Labour usually starts at $60 and can go as high as $300, depending on the complexity of the project.

Areas to soundproof and their costs

There are many options to soundproof your space. You can opt to soundproof a part of your house like a wall, ceiling, or window, or the whole structure like a shed or a garden studio. 

Below are average soundproofing rates on Airtasker:

Soundproofing quotes from Taskers

Soundproofing a wall

There are many ways to soundproof a wall. You can choose to create a second wall using rubber sheets and mats, fix a new wall on the existing structure, insulate the wall with an acoustic insulator like Rockwool, or add a rubber mat and plasterboard to your wall.

How much to soundproof a wall would depend on which method you choose, the size of your wall, and the material you will use. Wall insulators can go as low as $50 and as high as $2,000. More expensive materials are usually used in offices and studios due to their higher noise absorption.

Soundproofing a ceiling

The main factors that affect the cost of soundproofing a ceiling are the size of the ceiling, type of home, ceiling material, and soundproofing material. Budget materials start at $50, while more premium acoustic soundproofing using acoustic panels ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. Of course, you can also purchase cheaper materials and do some DIY. However, this is often not as effective in filtering out higher-impact noises.

Soundproofing your floors

If you live in a busy building and want to soundproof your floors, the cost of materials usually ranges from $15 to $1,000. Budget floor soundproofing is enough to tone down external noises, while more premium soundproofing using floorboards can provide heat insulation, making the room more energy efficient.

Soundproofing a house

If you live near a train station or the airport, you can also choose to soundproof your whole home. Since the space is a lot bigger and combines soundproofing all walls, ceilings, and floors, the costs are also higher. Of course, it would still depend on how many rooms you have and how big the house is.

Benefits of soundproofing

Soundproofing your home has many benefits.

Soundproofing helps make your home more peaceful by filtering out outside noises. It also gives your family more privacy by decreasing the sound heard by neighbours. It also helps you save up on energy costs by acting as a heat insulator during winter.

In addition to these, a simple act of soundproofing can upgrade your lifestyle. It enables you to create your dream recording studio or enjoy an entertainment centre with a soundbar or surround system in the comfort of your own home. Aside from these, it creates an environment where you can stay focused on work, hobbies, and other important tasks, which can be difficult if you are surrounded by constant noise.

Soundproofing checklist

Before starting your soundproofing project, we’ve created a checklist containing tips to help your home project become a success:

• Be clear on the purpose of soundproofing – is it meant to filter outside noises or for entertainment purposes?

• Read up on the different types and methods of soundproofing

• Consult with an expert tradesperson on the available options for your home

• Check multiple quotes and pick a tradesperson or a labourer with the right skills, experience, and background fit for your needs

• Follow aftercare guidelines on your newly soundproofed home to avoid costly repairs and make the most out of your investment

Soundproofing need not be stressful! Whether you want to know how much exactly a soundproof shed costs or how much do soundproof windows cost, get a personalised quote when you put up a task on Airtasker!