Getting insulation quotes

Where we stand

We are building direct relationships with insulation contractors, and we are paid when we pass a request to one. What we are not doing is inventing company listings or publishing a directory we have not vetted. If you would rather not go through us, this page is the honest version of how to find someone yourself — and you can request quotes through us if you would.

What we can do is tell you how to get good quotes yourself — which is most of the value anyway. The risk is rarely finding a contractor; it is not knowing what you should be getting for the money.

Finding installers

Three approaches, roughly in order of how well they tend to work:

• Your utility's rebate program. Start here. Most energy utilities keep a list of participating insulation contractors, often with rebates attached that cut the cost meaningfully. The vetting is real, because the utility is paying part of the bill.
• Local referrals. Neighbors with similar houses, local building supply yards, or a home inspector. Insulation is regional work and reputation travels.
• Lead marketplaces. Angi, Thumbtack, and similar. They work, but understand the model: your details are sold to several contractors who then compete for you. Expect prompt and persistent contact.

Get three quotes. Two isn't enough to spot an outlier.

What a quote must include

Insulation quotes are hard to compare because they routinely cover different scopes. A quote that is 30% cheaper is usually not cheaper — it is a smaller job.

Questions worth asking

• "Will you air seal before insulating?" The single most revealing question. Anyone who says it isn't necessary is not the right contractor — once insulation is down, the gaps underneath are unreachable.
• "How will I verify the depth?" Good answer: depth markers installed and photographed. Vague answer: a problem, because depth is the only thing that determines whether you got the R-value you paid for.
• "What's your plan for the soffit vents?" Should mention baffles without prompting.
• "Is there knob-and-tube wiring?" If yes, most codes prohibit burying it. It needs replacing first.
• "What happens if you find moisture or mold?" Should be a change-order conversation, not a surprise on the invoice.
• "Do you handle the utility rebate paperwork?" Many do, and it's worth real money.

Red flags

• Pressure to sign immediately. Insulation is never an emergency.
• Large deposit up front. A modest deposit is normal; most of the money is due on completion.
• No written scope. A verbal "we'll bring it up to code" is not a quote.
• Quoting without seeing the attic. Access and obstructions drive the price. A phone quote is a guess.
• Dismissing air sealing. Covered above, and worth repeating.
• Specific energy savings promises. "This will cut your bill 40%" is not something anyone can know without your actual usage data.
• Pushing spray foam for a standard vented attic. Usually a margin decision, not a technical one.

Comparing what comes back

Normalize the quotes before comparing. Convert each to cost per square foot at the R-value being added, then check whether air sealing and baffles are in or out.

Our attic cost estimates give you a reference range. A quote well below it usually means a reduced scope rather than a bargain; well above it means either genuinely difficult access, or a contractor who doesn't want the job.

And it's worth running the numbers yourself first. A contractor quoting R-38 when your zone calls for R-60 is a conversation you can only have if you know the target.

Related

• Attic insulation cost
• What R-value do I need?
• How we calculate our estimates