What Do Insulation Installation Services Cost?

Insulation can keep your home comfortably cool in summer and warm in winter, but insulation installation services come at a cost. Many factors determine the expense. The insulation material, its location, and labor are just a few. However, the potential for energy savings can make the cost of insulating your home worthwhile.

Cost of Insulation Installation Services

According to Forbes, the average cost to install insulation in a 2,000-square-foot home is $3,000 to $10,000 (in 2024 dollars). Insulation generally costs $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot. If the project is done while your home is being built, the insulation installation cost is on the low end of the scale. 

That’s because the walls and ceilings of a home under construction aren’t finished. Insulating an existing home is more expensive because drywall and ceiling materials must be removed and repaired. Plus, old insulation must be removed, which can cost $1 to $3 per square foot. The size of the area to insulate is a major cost factor.

How the Cost of Insulation Can Pay for Itself

High-quality insulation can help lower your electricity bills. The difference in utility costs can make up for installation expenses, meaning you can recoup the cost over a few years. But exactly how much you save on energy depends on many variables. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs and 11% overall on energy costs with proper insulation and air sealing.

Factors that Determine the Cost of Insulation

When installing insulation in your home, its cost is determined by many variables. Here are some factors that a professional installer will consider when providing a price quote.

Insulating Material

A wide range of materials are used for residential insulation. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and is suited for use in specific areas or applications. The following are the most common materials, their cost per square foot, and uses plus their R-value (which reflects how well an insulator resists the movement of heat): 

• Fiberglass ($0.40 to $1.50): Fiberglass is among the most common materials used by insulation installation service companies. Available as batts, rolls, or loose-fill insulation, it’s a more affordable option and easy to install. The material is used during new construction and renovations. Batts and rolls have an R-value of about 2.5, depending on their thickness.
• Cellulose ($0.60 to $2.30): A loose-fill material, cellulose insulation is often blown into wall cavities. It’s sometimes available as a damp spray foam. Special equipment is needed to blow it into place, where the material settles and sticks together. Loose cellulose has an R-value of about 3.5 per inch of material.
• Polystyrene ($1.00 to $15.00): Polystyrene is available as foam board to cover a building exterior or can be placed under siding or roof shingles. Spray foam polystyrene can fill wall cavities or the space under attic floors. Extruded polystyrene tends to be more expensive than expanded polystyrene. Generally, polystyrene has an R-value of 3.2 to 3.8 per inch.
• Rockwool ($1.40 to $4): Spun into a fibrous material from recycled furnace slag, mineral wool insulation is more resistant to heat transfer than fiberglass. It contains a fair amount of silica, so safety precautions are required during installation. Rockwool has an R-value of about 3.4.
• Wood Fiber ($4.25 to $6.75): Wood fiber insulation consists of large, rigid boards. They are installed on flat surfaces to supplement existing insulation in ceilings or interior walls. The boards are made from recycled wood, so they are sustainable. An R-value of 3.8 makes wood fiber an efficient insulator that also dampens noise.
• Blue Jean Insulation ($1.50 to $1.75): Denim is an effective insulator and a great alternative to fiberglass batting. It’s also a safe DIY option, as it doesn’t have small glass particles. Made of recycled blue jeans, it can have an R-value of 5 or higher.

Type of Insulation

Aside from the material, the form of insulation affects its cost. The most common types of home insulation and their costs per square foot include the following:

• Batts and Rolls ($0.65 to $2.00): These are easy to install and fit between wall studs, rafters, and joists. They can be made of fiberglass, mineral wool, cotton, or plastic.
• Blown-In ($1.65 to $3.80): Blown-in insulation can be made of recycled cardboard, newspaper, fiberglass, or rock wool. A machine blows it into the space to be insulated, where it conforms to the area in which it’s applied.
• Foam Board ($2.40 to $3.75): Rigid foam board insulation is best for residential exterior applications. It’s most often used under siding but can also insulate basement floors. Accounting for thickness, it’s one of the most efficient insulators.
• Spray Foam ($3.15 to $7.50): Made of liquid polyurethane, this insulation is sprayed into wall cavities, where it expands and hardens into a solid foam. Closed-cell foam is thicker and more effective at trapping heat than open-cell foam (and more expensive). Both are well-suited for use in finished areas and hard-to-reach spaces.
• Radiant Barrier Insulation ($0.10 to $0.95): Radiant insulation reflects heat instead of absorbing it. This makes it suited for use as attic roof insulation. Although not the most expensive material, it can cost $30 to $80 per hour to install, according to Angi.

Location 

The cost of an insulation installation service also depends on the part of your home being insulated. A two-car garage, excluding the garage door, costs an average of $0.50 to $1.25 per square foot to insulate. Insulation is more often installed in a finished garage or if there’s a living space above it. Basements usually don’t require as much insulation and cost $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot to insulate. Wall insulation can cost from $1 to $4 per square foot.

However, other insulation installation projects require more extensive work. An attic, the most important area to insulate, needs twice as much insulation to counter the effects of rising heat. The average cost of an attic insulation installation service is $1,500 to $6,000. If you’re converting your attic into a living space, you may also want to insulate the roof, which costs $1,500 to $4,500.

Labor

The cost of labor depends on the insulation type, the equipment used, and the installation method. An installer also factors in the accessibility of areas to insulate. Labor is usually costlier with spray foam, which requires special equipment and protective gear. The labor cost for insulating a home can add from $0.25 to $2.50 per square foot, or anywhere from $40 to $80 per hour.

Site Prep

Site prep can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of the project. An insulation installation service may also require drywall to be demolished and repaired. Other aspects of site prep may include the following:

• Cover windows, doors, surfaces, and valuables
• Removal of old, moldy insulation/mold abatement
• Discarding old insulation and debris
• Verify walls are properly framed and enclosed
• Inspect electrical wiring for installation or repair issues

Air Sealing

If your home isn’t air sealed, conditioned air will escape and no amount of insulation will maximize your HVAC system’s efficiency. Therefore, check to see if parts of your home need air sealing before adding insulation. This can cost as little as $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot for a vapor barrier, about $6 per linear foot for caulk, or $7 for a 10-foot roll of weatherstripping. Some forms of air sealing are simple and affordable but can significantly improve efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know I Need New Insulation?

The signs you should consider replacing insulation in your home include the following:

• Uneven Temperatures: Gaps in insulation can mean heat is escaping (making a room colder) or getting through space so one area is warmer than another.
• Leaks/Condensation: Dripping water on a wall, water stains on walls or ceilings, or condensation on windows can mean moisture is seeping in due to poor insulation.
• High Energy Bills: If your utility costs have been increasing despite no change in energy usage, you may need new insulation to help your HVAC system run more efficiently.
• Drafts: Feeling drafts in parts of your home can mean that air is passing through gaps or missing insulation.
• Frozen Pipes: Poor insulation or a lack of insulation can leave parts of your home exposed to freezing temperatures, causing pipes to freeze and possibly burst.

What Are the Benefits of Insulation Installation Services?

Professional installation has many benefits. A qualified technician ensures the materials are properly installed and can take steps to avoid damage and protect your home. Improving home insulation can result in lower energy bills, more effective temperature control, and better soundproofing.

How Long Does It Take to Install Insulation?

An insulation installation service can take as little as two hours. However, larger projects can take as long as two days. Professional installers are equipped and trained to work more quickly than, for example, a DIYer or handyman.

How Long Can New Insulation Last?

Cellulose insulation is the least durable. It lasts 20 to 30 years but can start to deteriorate after about 15 years. Spray foam insulation lasts up to 30 years when installed under a roof deck; in most areas, it can last up to 80 years. However, fiberglass insulation can last up to 100 years but must be inspected every 15 to 20 years to ensure it’s code-compliant.

Do I Need a Professional to Install Insulation?

Certain types of insulation can be installed without a professional. For example, many homeowners can install batting and blown-in insulation (with the proper equipment and safety gear). However, foam board and spray insulation require professional expertise.

How much you can save is hard to estimate, as there are many cost factors. In many cases, it pays to hire a contractor; insulating a home can involve a lot of time and labor, especially if it requires access to hard-to-reach areas. Hiring a professional is often more convenient than paying for materials, tools, and equipment and doing your research and preparation. 

Contact Us for Insulation Installation Services

Trio Heating & Air installs home attic, crawl space, and other insulation per California’s latest requirements and recommendations. Our trained technicians also remove old, damaged insulation. They perform inspections as well to determine if your insulation needs to be replaced or if there’s any air leakage to fix. We’re committed to high-quality installation and meeting the highest standards of service. To request insulation installation services in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County, call (415) 223-1647 today.