Adding insulation is one of the more practical things you can do for a home that feels cold in winter and stuffy in summer. It is also a job that is easy to put off, because it happens out of sight in the ceiling and under the floor. Here is what is involved, so you know what to expect.
Where insulation goes
Heat moves through every part of a house, so insulation can go in the ceiling, under the floor and, in new builds, in the walls. In an existing home, most people start with the ceiling and underfloor, because these are the areas that can be reached without opening up the house.
- Ceiling: batts are laid across the ceiling space, tight against each other with no gaps. Our ceiling insulation uses Knauf batts.
- Underfloor: batts are fitted between the floor joists from below, using Mammoth. See our underfloor insulation page.
- Walls: in a new build, wall insulation goes in at the framing stage, before the linings go on. That is part of our new build insulation work.
If your home already has insulation, an assessment will show whether it is worth topping up or replacing. Our retrofit insulation page covers how that works.
What a job looks like
A normal job follows the same few steps.
- Free consultation and assessment. Most of these are done through our online system. For more complicated homes, or if you would rather, we can come out and look in person.
- A clear, detailed quote. It lists what is being installed and where, with no hidden fees.
- Scheduling to suit you. We book a time that works around your household.
- Installation. Most ceilings take 1 to 3 hours. Underfloor typically takes about a day for a 100m² home.
- Final quality check. We check the finished work before we leave.
What it costs
Every home is different, so any price you read online is a rough guide at best. As a starting point, ceiling insulation for a 100m² home is usually $1,600 to $2,000, and underfloor insulation for a 100m² home is usually $2,200 to $2,500. Your quote depends on access and materials, so the only way to get a real number is a quote for your home.
Getting your home ready
A little preparation makes the job quicker.
- Clear the way. Move stored items out of the ceiling space entrance and away from underfloor access points.
- Mention what you know. Tell us about leaks, damp spots, pests or old insulation. It saves surprises on the day.
- Fix moisture first. Insulation works best in a dry home. A damp underfloor may need a ground moisture barrier as well.
- Old loose-fill insulation. If you have old loose fill (often called Insulfluff), it should come out before new insulation goes in. We offer Insulfluff removal for exactly this.
- Think about pets and access. Let us know about dogs, locked gates or tight access points.
Looking after it afterwards
Once insulation is in, it needs very little. Keep it dry, do not pile heavy items on top of it, and have a look in the ceiling space now and then, especially after storms or if you have had a roof leak. If something looks wet, squashed or disturbed, get it checked.
Working in your area
We started in Gisborne and are now based in the Bay of Plenty. We work across the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Hauraki, Gisborne and the East Coast, and Rotorua and Taupō, mainly along the coast. Our locations page lists the towns.
If you are thinking about adding insulation, get a free, no-obligation quote. We aim to call you back within 48 hours, or you can phone us on 027 482 0333.