Centuri.

Acoustic Sector Research · Stage 1

Working with each other,
not past each other

A quick thought before you start.

Generally speaking, every acoustic consultant in the UK meets the same educational standard, learns from the same experienced practitioners, follows the same guidance, and produces work to the same quality. The sector has always self-regulated through peer knowledge — that's how it works and largely always has.

So why do we spend so much time and money travelling past each other to do it — and why don't we collaborate more?

This research is exploring what a more connected, collaborative sector might look like — where subcontracting means working WITH a peer, not working FOR one. That might mean surveys covered locally, overflow reports handled by a trusted fellow practitioner, or even a willing reviewer casting a fresh pair of eyes over your work before it goes out.

Findings may be shared with the IOA and ANC as this work develops. All responses can remain anonymous if preferred.

It takes about 3 minutes. Thank you for your time.

~3 minutes to complete Anonymous unless you choose otherwise Mary Day MIOA · mary@centuri.uk

scroll to begin

1

About you

Q1 How would you describe your firm?

Solo consultant / freelancer Small firm 2–10 people Medium firm 11–50 people Larger firm 50+ people

Q2 Which region are you primarily based in?

2

How you feel about collaboration

Q3 When you think about the subcontracting of work in general, how does it feel?

Working FOR — it feels hierarchical Somewhere in between Working WITH — it feels collaborative I've never really thought about it this way

3

Surveys and equipment

Q4 Do you (or your firm) own Class 1 unattended noise monitoring equipment?

Yes — own kit available Yes — but often committed elsewhere No — I hire when needed Not applicable to my work

Q5 For short-term survey deployments — BS4142, BS8233, ProPG and similar — how do you currently retrieve your monitoring data?

Physically collect the meter and download in office Remote access over mobile network Cloud upload — data available instantly Mix of methods depending on equipment Not applicable

Q6 How do you currently engage with acoustic survey subcontracting — fieldwork and deployment? (tick all that apply)

I subcontract survey work out to other firms I take on subcontracted survey work from other firms Occasionally — a few times a year Regularly — it's part of how we work It's a core part of our operation I don't currently do this

Q7 Imagine a consultant local to your project site — say, 100 miles from you — deploying noise monitoring equipment on your behalf, with data accessible instantly from your desk. No travel. No lost day. Lower carbon footprint. How useful would that be?

Game changing — that's exactly what we need Very useful — would change how we work Somewhat useful Not particularly — we prefer to handle our own equipment Not applicable

A scenario for Q8 You receive a notification: a background noise survey is needed locally to you — say, within 45 minutes drive. The request is from another acoustics firm on the other side of the country. They want the data only — no report writing. One meter, 4-day deployment over a weekend. Within 24 hours of the survey ending, you upload data with weather observations, photos and brief notes. Cancellation terms are understood. You have equipment available.

Q8 What would make you decline this kind of request — regardless of the fee? (tick all that apply)

Don't know the appointing firm or can't verify them No clear cancellation or liability framework Insurance or PI concerns Too much admin for a small job I don't generally subcontract for other firms Nothing — the right fee is all I need

4

Overflow work

Q9 Beyond surveys — how do you engage with subcontracting of report writing, assessments or specialist work? (tick all that apply)

I subcontract report writing or assessments out to others I take on report writing or assessments from other firms Occasionally — a few times a year Regularly — it's part of how we work It's a core part of our operation I don't currently do this

Q10 What stops you subcontracting more — surveys or otherwise? (tick all that apply)

Finding someone I trust and can verify Contract and admin hassle Liability and PI concerns Cost My clients won't accept a subcontractor Nothing stops me — I do it regularly

If a platform existed that instantly connected you with vetted acoustic consultants across the UK — for surveys, overflow reports, or peer review — would you use it?

Yes — immediately, this is what we need Probably yes — depending on quality standard Possibly — I'd want to see it first Probably not — I prefer my existing contacts No

5

Any other thoughts? optional

Anything else you'd want to say — about collaboration, the sector, or what you'd need to see before this felt worthwhile?

6

Stay involved? optional

Would you be willing to join a small working group to explore this further?

Participants in the working group will be anonymous to one another — you'll contribute to a shared conversation without your identity or firm being disclosed to other members.

Yes — I'd be interested Maybe — tell me more first No — just the survey for me

Working group contact details optional

Your survey responses above are completely separate from these details — leaving your name and email here does not link your identity to your answers. It simply means I can contact you about the working group.

Responses go directly to Mary Day MIOA. Anonymous unless you share your details above.

This research is part of the development of Centuri. — a new collaborative network for the environmental survey sector.

✓

Thank you — genuinely.

Your responses will directly shape what comes next. If you left your details and expressed interest in the working group, I'll be in touch.