Why are the walls in apartments so thin?

Question

I live in a newer complex and we consistently have noise issues with the paper thin walls in this building. I can literally hear my neighbors leaving and entering rooms downstairs, and playing loud bass music.

The insulation is very poor in the units too, so given these issues, why do contractors build apartments with such low quality materials? Do they not have any hindsight for the people who are actually live there? Or is it that much more expensive to find a better drywall?

Answer 1

It's simple.  The more cheaply the contractor can build a building, the more profit he stands to make.  Of course, if the architect designed the building without adequate provision for soundproofing and heat insulation, then he is as much to blame as anyone.  I'm lucky - I live in a condo with excellent soundproofing and heat insulation - built in 1989.

Answer 2

they have to find a cheap wall so that they can make more apartments without paying a high price

Answer 3

The contractor was more interested in making a lot of money than of building a quality product.

I bet he doesn't live there!