Insulation Installation cost breakdown
At a mid-range, national-average baseline, a typical insulation installation project is estimated at $1,000 to $4,000. The table below breaks the cost down so you can see where your project is likely to land.
| Type | Cost per sq ft | Typical total (1,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass batts | $1 to $2 /sq ft | About $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Blown-in | $1 to $2.50 /sq ft | About $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Rigid foam board | $2 to $4 /sq ft | About $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Spray foam | $3 to $7 /sq ft | About $3,000 to $7,000 |
Insulation Installation cost by project size
Most of your insulation installation cost scales with size. Here is the estimated national-average range at a few common project sizes.
| Area to insulate (square feet) | Estimated total cost | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 500 square feet | $500 to $2,000 | Smaller project |
| 1,000 square feet | $1,000 to $4,000 | Typical project |
| 1,750 square feet | $1,750 to $7,000 | Larger project |
What drives insulation installation cost
- Area to insulate in square feet.
- Type: fiberglass and blown-in are cheapest, spray foam costs the most.
- Target R-value (more insulation, more cost).
- Location: attic, walls, or crawlspace.
- Air sealing and any removal of old insulation.
- Regional labor rates.
Key cost factors
Type and R-value
Fiberglass and blown-in deliver good R-value cheaply. Spray foam costs two to three times more but air-seals as it insulates, giving the highest performance.
Attic first
Most heat is lost through the roof, so attic insulation is usually the cheapest, fastest, highest-return place to start.
Air sealing
Sealing leaks before insulating makes any insulation work better, and many utilities offer rebates for insulation and air-sealing.
