Thoughts on insulation quote

[jwvess00]

Hi there!

I finally managed to get one insulation company to write a quote and I'd like to know if the price seems reasonable. The building is a 36x50 pole barn, steel sides/roof, wood posts and trusses. I've added 2x4s to the exterior walls flush with the posts 2' OC, so there's an empty space behind the studs between the studs and the steel (this will give me a flat wall surface when I cover the studs and posts). Ceiling is installed, 9' high. Ceiling material is 7/16" OSB and the walls will be covered that way as well. There's a 36' partition wall (2x4) that is sheathed on one side so it can be insulated as well.

In 2011 Dad had his shop built -- 32x40 stick-built building (it's even all brick), 2x4 exterior walls and trusses 2'OC, 8' ceiling, sheetrocked everywhere. He had blown wet cellulose done 12" in the ceiling and wall cavities filled for $1100. I think he got the deal of the decade since we couldn't buy the materials for that.

My quote, 4 years later, in a somewhat bigger building and a different part of the state, came in much higher.

The quote:
Option#1 -Spray 1” of closed cell foam to the exterior walls and spray 4.5” of stabilized cellulose over the foam(R-24)
Option#1: $6,748.00

Option#2 - Spray 2.5” of closed cell foam to the exterior walls(R-17)
Option#2: $7,622.00

Option#3 – Spray 5.5” of stabilized cellulose to the exterior walls(R-21)
Option#3: $4,800.00

Blow 10” of stabilized cellulose to the attic space
Spray 3.5” of stabilized cellulose to the separation wall
Spraying the separation wall and the attic comes with all options
All materials stored in these areas need to be removed by the owner
We will need access to potable water
Leave our work areas broom clean


Thoughts?

 

[Jackfre]

I just had my new shop, 960 sq ft done with R19 & 30 faced batts. $1,550.

 

[ThePress]

I sell greenfibre blow-in insulation, and here's our specs :

You have about 1,900 sq.ft of wall space at r-15 so you get 50 sq.ft per bag@ $19 per bag =$722

You have 1800 sq.ft of attic space at r-35 @ 20 sq.ft per bag = $1,710
You will need a few rolls of poly for the walls and misc. Supplies = $600

I would probably charge $1,500 in labor up here.

So I would quote around $4,500 to do it here, plus any extras your building might need such as stop blocks, etc

Hope this helps....

 

[Strouty]

Option 1 seems like the best R value, but I do not know much about the multi step process.

 

[DC73]

Option 3 is probably the best bang for the buck. But, if you plan to heat and cool the space, Option 1 with the spray foam will air seal better and, along with the slightly better R-value, eventually payback in the form of lower energy bills. If your energy rates are high enough, it might be a worthwhile investment. The goal would be to payback the additional $2000 in a reasonable amount of time.

You could always do Option 3 and then set about air sealing the building as best you can yourself with cans of spray foam and caulk. Basically, you would be foaming or caulking any place where air could enter or escape including plumbing penetrations, the gap between drywall and electrical boxes, the gap between drywall and AC/Furnace vents, etc.

Another option (might be pricier) would be to put cellulose in the walls and spray foam under the roof deck to create a conditioned attic.

DC

 

[Apex Structures]

My first question to prospective customers when we are building a garage and they ask for insulation would be...."How to you plan on heating/cooling the space" ?

 

[Stuart in MN]

I sell greenfibre blow-in insulation, and here's our specs :

You have about 1,900 sq.ft of wall space at r-15 so you get 50 sq.ft per bag@ $19 per bag =$722

You have 1800 sq.ft of attic space at r-35 @ 20 sq.ft per bag = $1,710
You will need a few rolls of poly for the walls and misc. Supplies = $600

I would probably charge $1,500 in labor up here.

So I would quote around $4,500 to do it here, plus any extras your building might need such as stop blocks, etc

Hope this helps....

For future reference, since prices and labor rates vary by location, it would help to know where "up here" is....

 

[purplezr2]

How about 1 inch of spray foam and 3.5 inches of batt insulation. You get the seal of spray foam and about an R-22 if my math is right.

 

[ThePress]

For future reference, since prices and labor rates vary by location, it would help to know where "up here" is....

Up here is Northwestern Ontario, Canada