Find an attic insulator near you

The cost of insulation will vary significantly, with prices as high as $2,800. However, homeowners spend an average of $350 for insulation installation and upgrades (keep in mind this average cost includes small and big spaces). 

The actual cost you pay will depend on a number of factors, including where you live, the total square footage of your space, the cost of labor and any preparation and cleanup work needed to complete the job. The type of insulation is one of the biggest factors. Contact insulation contractors near you to get price estimates.

Insulating your home has many benefits and is worth the time, energy and money. Here’s why:

• Insulation reduces energy and heating costs.
• Less energy consumption also results in a reduction of pollutant emissions.
• Insulation prevents condensation from moisture and stark temperature differentials.
• And it reduces noise from passing through the walls.

The best way to hire someone to insulate your home is by searching for contractors near you online or using the Thumbtack app. Start by entering your zip code to find a list of top-rated insulation contractors in your area. Then, whittle down the search results by customer ratings and reviews. Pay special attention to the positive (and negative) reviews, and check out the contractors’ photos — these can give you an idea of the contractors’ quality of work on past insulation projects. 

Also, check licensing requirements in your state and ensure that whoever you work with has a license (if needed). The final step is reaching out to at least three or more contractors to receive cost estimates and compare bids.

Insulation is a material that slows or inhibits heat flow from one area to another. It can take many forms. A common type is fiberglass or mineral wool (aka rock wool and sag wool). Another is cellulose insulation, an environmentally friendly option that is blown into wall cavities. Sprayed foam insulation is a go-to option if you need to add insulation to existing areas and around obstructions.

R-value — or thermal resistance value — is a measure of any surface or material’s resistance to heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more insulation the material provides. R-value depends on the thickness, density and type of insulation, as well as the moisture accumulation, age and temperature. 

The cost to remodel a home is highly variable — size and scope of the project, quality of materials, and the number of subcontractors required to complete the job all affect the total cost. The average national cost of a home renovation project is $13,500. The national average per-square-foot cost of a remodel ranges from $25 to $100. Nationally, kitchen and bathroom remodels are the most popular types of projects, in part because they typically have the highest return on investment when the home is sold. The national average cost of a major kitchen remodel ranges from $25,000 to $62,000, while the average bathroom remodel tends to cost $6,000 to $18,000. In addition to materials and labor costs, many remodeling project costs include permit fees, which, average $900 or more, depending on your location.

A kitchen remodel is one of the most important investments you can make in your home, and it’s critical to get the details right; that’s where a home renovation contractor comes in. A minor remodel usually includes new cabinet faces and hardware, replacement appliances, and paint, while an extensive job may enlarge the kitchen’s square footage, install new cabinets or an island, change the layout, and lay new tile or hardwood floors. Any renovation that includes filing permits, construction, or electrical or plumbing work is best completed by an experienced contractor who knows local codes.

Hiring a general contractor is a good idea for many remodeling projects. Home renovation contractors have a broad range of skills to manage, coordinate and complete a project. They should help make sure your project comes in on time and within your budget as they hire and supervise all the necessary subcontractors, including electricians and plumbers. They also handle procuring all the materials required for your job. Some homeowners look to save money by acting as their own contractor, but an experienced home renovation contractor is worth the cost. They should know local building codes, be able to pull all necessary permits, and work with inspectors to make sure the construction meets local codes. Also, because they get professional discounts, they can typically buy materials at a better price than you can; better prices on materials and labor save you money, and make up for at least a percentage of the cost of the contractor.

There are several common types of insulation, including:

• Batts and rolls, which are usually made from fiberglass or mineral wool and can be placed between wall studs and ceiling/floor joists.
• Concrete block insulation, which protects the outside of concrete walls from significant heat loss.
• Blown-in insulation, which is made from fiberglass, cellulose or mineral wool and can fill in irregularly shaped areas.
• Spray foam, which has a high R-value and is great at stopping air from leaking through holes and cracks. 

If you’re not sure which type of insulation you should install in your home, an insulation contractor can help you decide.

A few home remodeling projects can be done by an ambitious DIY-minded homeowner or local handyman, but many are best completed by a professional home renovation contractor. You should hire a contractor when you’re planning a large project that takes time, machinery or large tools, and several workers; a kitchen remodel, new bathroom or home addition will be most successful with a licensed, expert contractor at the helm. It’s particularly important to have a professional contractor on board for construction, electrical, plumbing and HVAC projects that require inspections to meet local building codes. Of course, you can hire a contractor for smaller projects, too, if you prefer to let an expert handle things like addition or removal of a wall, small framing projects, or anything that requires a permit.  

You should hire a contractor when you’re ready to start a remodeling project and you have plans, a budget and a timeline for the work in hand, but before any remodeling work begins.