Insulation Specialist
How to select the best insulation installer for your home
Your home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. Maintaining proper temperature and ventilation inside the structure of your dwelling is paramount to keeping it in the best shape possible through each and every season of the year.
A huge part of this process is having correct insulation in the walls and ceilings of your dwelling. In order to obtain this recommended building component, you will want to hire an insulation specialist to install the proper insulation for your new build or home renovation. Today we are going to share with you some points that you will want to consider when searching for the best insulation installer for your home build or remodel.
- See if there are grants available to cover your project expenses
- Inquire about PAS 2030 approval
- Ask if your installer is part of a competent person scheme or professional organization
- Obtain a detailed written estimate
- Look into hiring a specialist
Let’s take a closer look at each of these points.
Look into grants to cover insulation installation expenses
Both cavity and loft insulation installation may be covered by grant monies offered by the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This government energy efficiency scheme works towards reducing carbon emissions and fuel poverty. Several energy providers work under the ECO to offer energy saving home modifications, such as insulation installation at a free or reduced cost.
If your home meets certain qualifications with your home, you may be able to obtain these benefits for free. Other grants have certain requirements to meet eligibility. Regardless, it is worth researching these options before getting quotes for an insulation installation.
Ask about PAS 2030 approval
If you are fortunate enough to qualify for grant monies from an ECO scheme toward the installation of insulation in your walls or loft spaces, you will be required to use a tradesman who has PAS 2030 approval. These insulation specialists have met government standards that have been set forth by the ECO and exhibit a high quality of workmanship.
Installers with PAS 2030 approval are inspected by Stroma, a compliance body that inspects and signs off on installation work. In addition to Stroma, materials manufacturers stop by job sites to inspect the quality of these specialists’ work. When cavity insulation is being installed, those jobs are guaranteed and audited by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA).
If your insulation job doesn’t qualify for ECO grant money, then you may choose any insulation installer.
Find out if your installer is a part of a scheme or professional organization
Insulation can be in interior or exterior walls of your home. When insulation is being placed in an exterior wall, there are building regulatory codes that must be met. If you hire a tradesman who is part of a competent persons scheme such as Stroma or CIGA, they will be able to self-certify that the work they have completed is up to regulatory standards.
Choosing a tradesman who can self-certify their work saves time and money, as it prevents you from having to bring an outside agency representative to certify that your insulation installation is up to code.
Get detailed quotes in writing
With any home building or renovation project, such as installing insulation, you will want to obtain at least 3 like for like quotes that include line item job specifics. These can include labor, materials, special equipment rental, travel expenses and waste removal and disposal. In addition, a written estimate should include a job payment plan and workmanship guarantee. Make sure to be wary of any insulation installer who require full job payment before work commences.
Hiring a specialist can be beneficial
Although general contractors can often install insulation, hiring a specialist can actually save you money in the long run, as they often purchase insulation in bulk at cheaper prices and install more efficiently, saving money on labor costs. Also, take the time to ask how much VAT your installer pays, often a specialist will pay a lower VAT than a specialist and can pass that savings onto you.
We hope that this guide helps you to select the best insulation installer for your home project.