




Is $4,000 to add attic insulation to meet R51 standards a fair price?
Project Details
After a recent blower door test, I learned that my attic was not well isolated. My house is old, built around 1970, and the attic insulation has never been changed. There's no mold issue, but I've noticed signs of humidity in some parts. My roof gets very hot during the summer, reaching up to 33 Celsius even with window shades. In winter, I experience ice dams, which is common where I live in Quebec, but I try to remove the accumulation whenever possible. I'm trying to understand what it means when they say "It will be difficult or impossible to fix the ice dams if the rest of the roof assembly is covered and unvented. You could bring that attic into the conditioned space with closed cell spray foam around the exterior and remove the existing insulation. Otherwise, venting that space is going to be difficult. Looks like the wall insulation is vapor barrier on the wrong side."
Quote Details
This option focuses on upgrading the existing attic insulation to meet current R51 standards and improving ventilation and sealing. It includes: - Addition of blown fiberglass (17 inches total) to meet current R51 standards - Installation of sealing joints for access hatches - Ensuring soffits are properly cleared - Addition of deflectors and cardboard in front of the soffits for ventilation - Decontamination of the framework with encapsulant and fungicidal product - Insulation of access hatches - Installation of leveling guides in the attic - Protection of the premises during the work - Photos taken before, during, and after the work - Provision of service truck and tools - Cleanup of premises after work
You say...
Vote Distribution
These ratings are not endorsed by Quote Critic. They are submitted by other Quote Critic users like you.
More Details
Category
Insulation
Price
$4,000
Quote Date
October 2, 2025
Year Built
1970
Insulation Type
Blown In
R Value
R51
Comments
No comments yet
Sign in to share your thoughts and ask questions.
Similar Quotes
Add blown-in fiberglass insulation on top of existing, air sealing, and attic repairs
This quote is for adding blown-in fiberglass insulation on top of existing insulation, along with air sealing and other attic-related repairs and improvements. - Insulation Removal & Disposal: - Main attic: Remove house wrap on exterior walls in attic, fiberglass batt on vault, and animal feces. - Bag and haul away all removed materials at contractor expense, disposing in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. - Blown in Insulation (Main attic floor, 979 sq ft): - Install fiberglass blown-in insulation to achieve up to R-49 (16" nominal depth) across all attic floor space where existing insulation allows. - Depth ruler gauges to be installed to verify insulation depth. - Baffles to be installed as needed to ensure proper ventilation. - Repair attic floor where any voids are present. - Limited Lifetime Warranty included. - Hatch Master (Main attic hatch, 30"x30"): - Install zippered, insulated attic hatch cover to prevent drafting between living/conditioned space and attic. - Seal around attic hatch with single component foam to stop air drafting if needed. - Limited Lifetime Warranty included. - Home Air Sealing (Main attic): - Install single component foam to seal wall top-plates, HVAC boots, around any electrical and lighting, and any other protrusion from the living space to the attic. - Limited Lifetime Warranty included. - Other Misc. Items: - Install Tyvek house wrap on exterior walls in attic to create an air barrier. - R-30 Fiberglass Batt (Vaulted ceiling in attic, 315 sq ft): - Install fiberglass batt / blanket insulation in floor joist cavities to achieve R-30. - Highest quality (Owens Corning) GUARANTEED, reputable national brand fiberglass insulation. - Limited Lifetime Warranty included. - Other Misc. Items: - Replace 2 gable vent screens.
Remove old insulation, air seal, and blow in new cellulose insulation in attic
This option involves a complete attic reinsulation. - Remove existing fiberglass insulation (currently R43, compacted from 30 years). - Perform air sealing in the attic. - Blow in new cellulose insulation to achieve R50, meeting current code.
Comprehensively upgrade attic insulation with R49 fiberglass
This quote provides a comprehensive attic insulation upgrade, including removal of existing insulation, air sealing, and installation of new insulation and related components. It aims to improve thermal performance and ventilation. - Work Area: Flat Ceiling, Skylight Shaft - Existing Insulation Removal: Loose fill insulation removed with a vacuum, batt insulation around skylight also removed - Top Plates (Air Seal): Seal exterior and interior top plates using one-component spray foam insulation where vertical walls intersect with the attic floor. All wiring holes, electrical junction boxes, and other penetrations to the attic floor will be sealed. - Skylight Shaft Insulation: R15 high-density fiberglass insulation installed at cavity - Skylight Shaft Radiant Insulation: Micro-perforated radiant insulation installed over fiberglass batts. All seams and edges sealed with spray foam and/or FSK tape. - Attic Hatch: Rigid insulation installed to the back of the attic hatch cover. Weatherstripping installed at molding. Dam built around hatch. - Recessed Can Lights: Non-combustible airtight cover installed over recessed can lights and sealed to drywall with spray foam. Insulation can then be mounded over the light. - Eaves: Insulation baffles installed at eave areas to ensure proper attic ventilation. - Attic Flat Ceilings: Loose fiberglass insulation blown in to achieve an R49 rating.