Hi there

we own a bottom floor flat, with the top flat being council owned, a couple of really horrible experiences with two different sets of tenents prompted us to investigate soundproofing - both sets of tenents carried out/were victims of domestic abuse, which resulted in numerous phonecalls to the police and local authority, they generally made a lot of noise both of the normal and anti-social variety, one lot made threats to myself and my husband when we mentioned the noise issue to them, the second lot were actually ok when you spoke to them, but sadly it didn't stop them making noise, in the second case the boyfriend seriously assaulted his girlfriend and because we could hear everything, I phoned the police and am now awaiting the court case as I am a witness to what occurred.  We live in a really nice area and have been very unlucky, which is why we went for soundproofing rather than moving. 

We installed an independent ceiling, lost about a foot of ceiling height (there are other options for those with low ceilings, although they may not be so effective) costing approx £1000 (for the ceiling joists, hangers, soundproofing materials), which my husband fitted (he has limited DIY experience, really only decorating and putting up a few shelves previously), I did help him, but only really if he needed an extra pair of hands.  It took a while, it was fairly hard work, and still isn't finished - the main ceiling is finished, and because the soundproofing bit worked, we took a break to enjoy the peace and quiet, and are finding it hard to get back to finish off the plastering, taping and decorating bit.  But oh the joy, we don't hear our neighbours at all through the lounge ceiling.  Previous to this we could hear footsteps, coughs, sexual activity, speaking, tv, music, hoover ... you name it.  Now we hear the odd thump (but it has to be major), never "normal" noise now. 

Just so you know we now have a third lot of tenents in, they are fairly normal, noise wise and don't cause us much hassle - athough they are fairly ignorant and generally a bit anti-social.  Although now I'm wondering if actually they are all normal and we're the strange ones?!?!

Anyhow, I would totally recommend soundproofing, its expensive and hard work but for us it well worth it to have at least one room you can sit in without being disturbed by numpty neighbours.