Adding insulation to a home that is already built is called retrofitting. It is one of the simplest ways to make an older house more comfortable, and it is much less disruptive than most people expect. Here is what happens from the first enquiry to the final check.
Step 1: Free consultation and assessment
It starts with a look at your home. Most of our consultations are done through our online system, which saves you waiting around for a visit. For complicated homes, or if you would rather have someone come out, we do it in person.
We want to understand:
- What insulation you already have, and what condition it is in.
- Whether you have a ceiling roof space, a suspended floor, or both.
- Any signs of damp, and whether a ground moisture barrier is worth considering.
- Whether there is old loose fill that should come out first.
- How easy the access is, which affects both the price and the time.
Step 2: A clear, detailed quote
After the assessment you get a written quote. It sets out what we recommend, what it covers and what it costs, with no hidden fees. The consultation and quote are free, with no obligation to go ahead.
As a guide, ceiling insulation for a 100m² home runs from $1,600 to $2,000 and underfloor insulation from $2,200 to $2,500. Your quote depends on access and materials.
Step 3: Scheduling to suit you
Once you are happy, we book a time that suits you.
Before the day, it helps to:
- Make sure we can reach the ceiling hatch or subfloor access point. Clear any stored items nearby.
- Let us know about anything in the roof space or under the house that we should be careful with.
- Tell us about any known problems, such as leaks, wiring concerns or pest issues.
Step 4: Preparation, and removal if needed
If your roof space has old loose fill such as Insulfluff, it needs to be removed before new insulation goes in. Putting new batts over old, damp or uneven fill does not give you a good result.
We also note anything that needs working around, like wiring, downlights and flues, and make sure roof and subfloor vents are left clear.
Step 5: Installation
How long the job takes depends on the work.
- Ceilings: most take 1 to 3 hours. We install Knauf batts, fitted snugly with no gaps, and keep insulation clear of things like downlights that are not designed to be covered. See ceiling insulation.
- Underfloor: typically one day for a 100m² home. We install Mammoth between the joists, and a ground moisture barrier where it is needed. See underfloor insulation.
If you need both, we can talk to you about doing them together.
Step 6: Final quality check
When the work is done we carry out a final quality check. We look for gaps, compressed sections and anything we may have disturbed, and we make sure vents and access points are as they should be.
If you’re not satisfied, we’re not finished.
Does it need a big rebuild?
No. Retrofitting works with the house you already have, and most of the work happens out of sight in the roof space or under the floor. There is more on our retrofit insulation page, and our FAQ covers common questions. If you are not sure whether your home suits a ceiling job, an underfloor job or both, ask us when you get your quote.
Get a free quote
If you would like to see how this would work for your home, request a free, no-obligation quote. We aim to call you back within 48 hours, or you can phone us on 027 482 0333.