Fiberglass bat install cost

[Jeff590]

I can't remember specific threads, but I recall some people saying to check with an installer on cost before doing fiberglass bats DIY, as the cost is not much more for installed partly because they can get materials cheaper. So I wanted to get some estimates before I did it myself. Contacted 3 places around me - 2 never responded, and got an estimate from one.

This is 24x24 with 8 foot walls to insulate as well as the rafters. I already have vent panels installed, so just putting the bats in (have attic storage, so insulated like a cathedral ceiling). I priced the materials at HD to be about $800 and the estimate was $1800. Not crazy, but not "about the same" either.

This is Fairfax County Va, so not a cheap area, but does this sound right? I'm guessing by having only 1 of 3 respond, this is not a big enough job to really care about.

 

[Jackfre]

When we re-modeled the house and for the wall and ceiling insulation when building the shop it cost me about the same to hire the job done as I could purchase that material for. IMO, there are some jobs that, yes, I can do myself, but are way to miserable to both with. Hire it out.

 

[dmcintosh]

I had my garage walls insulated last fall, and found it was essentially the same to hire it out. The bigger savings was on the blown-in insulation for the ceiling. Al in all I figured that even if it had cost me a few dollars more to hire it out, it might have been worth it anyway. They were in and out in a couple hours- probably would have taken me a week of nights working alone. Not sure I would bite for more than double like your quote is. Get at least one more quote before you decide.

 

[bored350]

Don't be afraid to ask the big box stores for a quote, both Lowe's and HD quoted a 600 sq ft room for me for free in bat as well as blown glass and cellulose. Lowe's was $100 cheaper than the best independent contractor, but had a 5 week wait which was too long for me at the time.

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[The Cobbler]

indeed, I have found on several occasions that insulation companies were cheaper to buy from that building suppliers were \\
also found their labour rates not too bad either.

 

[ripperd]

Yeah, I got my 23" wide batts from a local insulation company. I didn't even ask them to quote installed. I just picked up 6 bags right from their warehouse. I bought about 750sqft of r21 for something like 30% cheaper than the big box stores. This was for a ceiling. The insulation install was super easy, the more difficult part was installing the soffit baffles.

 

[Donzi camino]

I am just wrapping up my new garage. I built a 22x35 with a loft and open ceiling like you. I have 10' walls and gable ends. I priced the batt insulation at HD and it was $960 without tax. I had an insulation installer, install and supply material for a $1000. The only reason I got a price was from people on here saying that it didn't pay to do it yourself, glad I did. I would get estimates from whoever is insulating new construction in your area.

 

[Jeff590]

Thanks for the input. I'll try a couple more companies I guess.

I did see an ad on CL for insulation discounted from the box store prices. Sent them and email and they gave me a quote for slightly more that my local Home Depot , so that does not seem like an option either.

 

[Firebrick43]

Construction is going crazy here, has been since sept of 2016. It's hard to find contractors and Gc are booked for a year or more. While it's bad business to not at least call you back and tell you that they can't, with the average caliber in most of the crappy construction areas(roofers, concrete, drywall, and insulation) it's no surprise.

 

[rburke65]

I hired my batt insulation out and one of the better decisions I made. Little money difference plus I would have had to make umpteen trips getting the rolls home. Plus they blew the attic....in and out in about 3 hours. I wouldn't have had the ladder out in 3 hours. Very quick.

 

[evercl92]

For us, cost of having a company come out and do blow-in was about $100 more than me doing it myself. And factor in me getting the blower machine to and from the store, plus the bales of insulation - probably 5 trips to the store - wasn't worth it to tackle on my own.