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When the existing insulation is too old, damaged, or worn to properly insulate the home, it’s time for an upgrade. On average, blown-in insulation costs $1,725, but the costs can range from about $750 to $3,800, depending on the type of insulation material, the area you are insulating, and the size of the space.\n<\/p>\n Brayden Montgomery<\/strong> is the owner and operator of Vantage Builders<\/a> with years of hands-on experience as a general contractor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On average, homeowners will spend $0.50 to $2.30 per square foot for materials, not including installation.\n<\/p>\n „As a general contractor, the cost of materials, like fiberglass, cellulose, and Rockwool insulation is typically the largest expense,” says Brayden Montgomery, Owner and Operator of Vantage Builders.<\/p>\n Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter<\/a> for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Cellulose insulation<\/a> is divided into dense-pack cellulose, which costs about $2 to $2.30 per square foot, and wet-spray cellulose, which costs $0.60 to $1.80 per square foot.\n<\/p>\n Fiberglass is the most common option for blown-in insulation<\/a> because it’s both effective and affordable at an average cost of just $0.50 to $1.10 per square foot. Depending on the specific type of fiberglass blown-in insulation, homeowners may be able to find products that are fire-resistant or even pest-repellent.<\/p>\n Rockwool is a type of insulation made from rock and slag fibers, which is why it is also known as mineral wool. This type of blown-in insulation material has a high R-value and is naturally resistant to flame, moisture, and pests. It also offers a high level of noise insulation<\/a> for the home, though all these great benefits come at a premium price when compared to other insulation materials. Plans to spend between $1.40 to $2.10 per square foot a Rockwool blown-in insulation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Generally, installing insulation in an existing home will cost less than installing it in a newly constructed home, while insulation installation rates increase even further for attic installations.\n<\/p>\n Installing insulation in the walls of an existing home will typically cost about $1.75 to $3.50 per square foot. Homeowners that want the attic insulated<\/a> as well, will need to set aside between $3 to $7.50 per square foot to complete this part of the home.\n<\/p>\n For new homes, it will usually cost between $2 to $4 per square foot to insulate the walls with blown-in insulation. However, prices may vary between contractors.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whether you are replacing the insulation in the attic, the exterior walls, or throughout the entire home, the size of the space needs to be taken into consideration. The greater the area, the higher the overall cost of the project. On average, homeowners can expect to pay about $1.65 to $3.80 per square foot.\n<\/p>\n Exact costs can vary based on the specific type of material, the location where the insulation will be installed, and the amount of insulation required to reach an appropriate R-value for the home.<\/p>\n The cost of labor ranges from about $40 to $70 per hour to have insulation blown in.\n<\/p>\n „The time required depends on attic size, usually taking a full day for typical attics,” Montgomery says. „Issues preventing installation are inadequate access, poor ventilation, or improperly sealed attics.”\n<\/p>\n This means that the cost of the project will increase for larger areas that are more difficult to access or that require sealing before the insulation can be installed. Specific labor prices vary between installation companies, so it’s a good idea to get estimates from at least three reputable companies.\n<\/p>\n R-value is the capacity of the insulation to reduce the transfer of heat through the material. The higher the R-value of the material, the better it is at insulating the home, which is why insulation materials with a high R-value tend to be more expensive than insulation with lower R-values.\n<\/p>\n „High-density options providing an R-value of 30 to 60 per inch can cost $500 to $1500 for an average attic,” Montgomery says.\n<\/p>\n Generally, high R-values are best for homes located in colder regions of the country, while homes in warmer climates don’t require as much insulation to function properly. Check the local building codes and talk to the insulation pro about your options to find out what insulation material is best based on the required R-value for the home.<\/p>\n The location of the home can also affect the cost of the project in more ways than one. If the home is located in an area with a high demand for insulating services, the cost of the project will typically be higher than if the home was located in a town with a low demand for this work.\n<\/p>\n The second way the geographic location impacts the cost is the local climate.\n<\/p>\n „Homeowners should ask about types of insulation, R-values for their climate, and warranty details,” Montgomery says.\n<\/p>\n Homes in colder climates will typically required more insulation to keep the home warm during the winter months, while homes that are built in more temperate areas will need less to insulate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You may be able to pull out the existing insulation and dispose of it on you own to help reduce the cost of the project, but this can be a time-consuming process. If you don’t have the time, skill, or simply don’t want to handle the old insulation removal, this job can be left to the professionals for the average cost of $1 to $2 per square foot.\n<\/p>\n In most cases, mold and mildew will not naturally grow in blown-in insulation, but if the insulation is exposed to high levels of moisture, such as a leak or ongoing high-humidity levels, mold and mildew can become an issue. Removing mold and mildew can add about $2,250 to the cost of the job.\n<\/p>\n If the installers find that the home has asbestos insulation<\/a>, then the asbestos will need to be professionally removed. Expect to spend about $2,100 for asbestos removal.<\/p>\n Before insulating the home, the installers will typically look for any gaps, holes, or cracks that need to be air sealed.\n<\/p>\n „Extra fees may apply for attic sealing, ventilation, and access hatches,” Montgomery says.\n<\/p>\n The exact cost to air seal<\/a> the building varies depending on the number, size, and location of the gaps or cracks, but it can generally range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000.<\/p>\n Depending on the current design of the home, the blown-in insulation installers may need to drill holes in the interior drywall or exterior sheathing. These holes allow the insulation to enter areas that were previously sealed, but before finishing the job, the installers will typically patch the drywall. However, not all insulation installers patch the drywall. In some cases, you may need to patch the holes yourself<\/a> or hire a contractor to patch the holes for about $100 to $400 per hole.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Generally, the best time of the year to install blown-in insulation is when the temperatures are moderate during the spring and fall seasons. This is because the HVAC system is off or working at bare minimum levels, making it easy for the insulation contractor to conduct a thorough inspection and provide an accurate estimate for the work before the temperatures outside get too hot or too cold.\n<\/p>\n If you are looking to save on the cost of a blown-in insulation installation, consider booking in the late winter or late fall, when the demand for this work is relatively low. Some companies may offer deals during this period of the year to increase their earnings until the busy season arrives.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On average, DIYers that choose to handle a blown-in insulation project without the aid of the pros, will end up spending about $0.35 to $1.50 per square foot or $500 to $1,200, depending on the insulation type and location. Additionally, you will need to rent a blower<\/a>, which costs about $125 per day.\n<\/p>\n You may also need to pay for products, like caulking, to seal any holes or gaps before the blown-in insulation can be installed. Otherwise, the insulation may escape into unwanted areas of the home.\n<\/p>\n Installing blown-in insulation is a two-person job. While one person feeds the insulation into the blower, the second person needs to direct the hose, so you will need to have a friend, family member, partner, or even a hired helper available.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Consider these few signs you can look out for to help determine when the home needs to have the existing insulation replaced or upgraded.\n<\/p>\n Air drafts can sometimes enter through the insulating layers of the home if there are gaps in the existing insulation or if the insulation is in poor condition. If you feel drafts coming from the attic or the walls, then it’s a good idea to inspect the insulation to see if it is damaged or simply worn out. Replace or add to the existing insulation to block out drafts and protect the home.<\/p>\n The heating and cooling system keeps working until the temperature inside the home reaches the set level on the thermostat. However, if the walls or attic are improperly insulated, then there is a higher transfer of heat through the walls and roof of the home, leading to higher energy bills. Install new blown-in insulation to slow the transfer of heat and reduce your energy bills<\/a>.<\/p>\n The age of the insulation is a factor that’s important to keep in mind. While insulation is a long-lasting material that can often last for a decade before needing to be replaced, it can still wear out, reducing the overall efficiency of the home. Generally, if the insulation is older than 10 years, it should be replaced or more insulation should be added.<\/p>\n\nMeet the Expert<\/h3>\n
\n Blown-In Insulation Cost by Type <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Cellulose <\/span> <\/h3>\n
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Fiberglass <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Rockwool <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Blown-In Insulation Costs by Area <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Blown-In Insulation Cost Factors <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Size <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Labor <\/span> <\/h3>\n
R-Value <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Geographic Location <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Additional Blown-In Insulation Costs <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Old Insulation Removal <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Mold and Asbestos Remediation <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Air Sealing <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Drywall Repairs <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Best Time of Year to Install Blown-In Insulation <\/span> <\/h2>\n
DIY Cost Factors <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Signs You Need Blown-In Insulation <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Drafts <\/span> <\/h3>\n
High Energy Bills <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Insulation Age <\/span> <\/h3>\n
Moisture Problems <\/span> <\/h3>\n