Looking for a reliable loft insulation specialist near you? Before you hire someone for the job, it’s worth having a thorough understanding of the current average cost of loft insulation in the UK. Loft insulation labour and materials cost more now than a few years ago, so we’ve compiled the most up-to-date pricing guide.
We'll cover the following topics in this pricing guide:
- Average loft insulation costs
- Loft insulation costs per type
- How long does loft insulation installation take?
- How to reduce loft insulation costs
- FAQ
- Your loft insulation checklist
Average loft insulation costs
We all know that heat rises, which is why it’s important to stop it escaping through the top of your home. That’s where loft insulation comes in. A well-insulated loft, roof or attic keeps heat inside your home and can help to reduce your energy bills.
But loft insulation can degrade and become less energy efficient over time. Experts recommend replacing it every 15 years to get the full benefit.
There are also some additional costs associated with insulating your attic or loft. For example, if you need to dispose of old insulation, you might need to hire a skip or a waste clearance company. If your loft is cluttered or tricky to access, you might pay more to get it cleared or to install a ladder or hatch.
Above all, it’s important to choose a reliable loft insulation specialist who can advise you on the best type of insulation to suit your space. They can also offer tips on other ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home so that you can save more money over time.
Here’s a loft insulation cost calculator for the UK that gives average costs for common types of insulation, labour costs and jobs associated with insulating your loft. For a more detailed breakdown of these, take a look at the expanded sections below.
| Loft insulation job | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Labour cost | £250 per day |
| Loft insulation cost per m² for blanket insulation | £5 to £10 (excluding labour) |
| Blanket loft insulation cost per roll | £20 to £30 |
| Loose-fill loft insulation cost per m² | £7.50 to £12 |
| Sheet or foam board loft insulation cost per m² | £30 |
| Spray foam loft insulation cost per m² | £35 to £50 |
| Upgrading water cistern insulation | £150 |
| Pipework insulation per metre | £6 |
| Rerouting electrical wires | £250 per day |
| Loft boarding cost per m² | £55 |
| Cost to install a ladder | £275 |
Loft insulation costs per type
How much does loft insulation cost?
The cost of loft or roof insulation depends on the size of your home and the type of insulation you choose.
Insulation should be at least 270mm thick to be effective. At the lower end of the range, there is blanket insulation, also known as quilt insulation or batt and roll. This is made from fibreglass, wool or cellulose. Other types of insulation include loose-fill, sheet or foam board and spray foam. There are pros and cons to each of these, which we look at in more detail below.
Cost of loft insulation labour
You can generally expect to pay around £250 per day for loft insulation labour. That’s the cost just for installing insulation. If you need additional work like boarding or rerouting wires, you will probably need to pay more. Be aware that labour costs in London and the south east are usually higher than other areas of the UK.
With MyBuilder, you can reach out to loft insulation specialists in your area and get a few quotes for comparison.
Cost of removing old loft insulation
The cost of removing old loft insulation in the UK depends on a few factors, including how accessible your loft is and how much insulation there is to remove.
Removing traditional blanket insulation is fairly straightforward, so you’ll be looking at around £300 plus the cost of skip hire or a waste removal company.
However, if your existing insulation is old or in bad condition, it could be dangerous to remove, and may therefore cost more.
Spray foam insulation is more complicated to remove than blanket insulation, and therefore costs a lot more, typically in the region of £40 per m². It can also take up to a week for two people to remove.
Some kinds of spray foam insulation are also toxic and therefore require specialist disposal.
Cost of blanket insulation
The cheapest type of insulation is blanket or quilt insulation, which is sold by the roll. It’s usually made from sheep’s wool, mineral wool or fibreglass. Of these, sheep’s wool is the most expensive. On average, blanket insulation costs around £20 to £30 per roll or £5 to £10 per m². On top of that, you’ll pay for labour at around £250 per day.
Blanket insulation tends to be quite bulky, so it can be tricky to fit into small or awkward spaces.
Cost of loose-fill insulation
At around £7.50 to £12 per m², loose-fill insulation is only slightly more expensive than quilt insulation. It’s considered an environmentally friendly option, made from cork granules, mineral wool and cellulose fibre. It’s also an easy way to cover a whole area.
Loose-fill insulation can come loose if your loft is prone to draughts. It also needs to be installed by a professional using specialist safety equipment, as it can cause skin irritation.
Cost of sheet or foam board insulation
Sheet or foam board insulation made from PIR (polyisocyanurate) is used on the sloping side of a roof. It’s very effective and considered a good choice for loft conversions. It’s also easy to cut and install.
Because it’s highly thermally efficient, foam board insulation is regarded as an eco-friendly choice. At around £30 per m², however, it’s considerably more expensive than blanket or loose-fill alternatives.
Cost of spray foam insulation
Spray foam or blown-foam insulation, where a layer of foam is sprayed from a machine over the area to be insulated, is a popular alternative to blanket or loose-fill insulation.
This type of insulation needs to be installed by a professional, but it’s a convenient choice in areas of your loft or attic that are tricky to get to. The average cost per m² for spray foam insulation is £35.
However, spray foam insulation is more difficult to remove, which means getting rid of it can be expensive, often in the region of £3,000 for an average home. Some types of spray foam insulation can be toxic and need specialist safety equipment and procedures to be removed.
You should also be aware that some mortgage lenders won’t lend on a home with spray foam insulation, because it makes it difficult for a surveyor to inspect the condition of the loft and roof. It’s worth asking a broker for advice before you decide to use it.
Cost to board a loft
Boarding your loft creates a further barrier to heat loss, while providing extra storage space too. It can also add value to your home.
A loft insulation specialist will install new chipboard flooring over boards on the attic joists. These should be fitted high enough so that they don’t touch the insulation.
The average cost to board a loft in the UK (including materials and labour) is £55 per m². Most lofts take between one and two days to board.
Alternatively, the boarding is raised above the ceiling joists, which allows air to circulate beneath the boards. This cuts the risk of damp and condensation in your loft. This typically costs around £1,400 for a standard 15m² loft space.
Cost to reroute wiring in a loft
Depending on the type of insulation you choose, you might need to reroute any wiring running across your joists. Electricians generally charge in the region of £40 per hour, so it’s well worth factoring this into your overall budget. Always make sure you work with a qualified and experienced electrician so that you can be confident of the safety of the wiring.
Cost to upgrade water cistern insulation
It’s common for older properties to have a water tank in the loft. If this is the case in your home, the cistern should be insulated around the sides and on the top. The insulation around the sides should reach to the insulation on the floor of the loft.
Insulating a water cistern can reduce standby heat loss, saving you money on water heating costs. You can either insulate a tank with board or with a jacket that fits around standard-sized tanks. On average, you’ll be looking at paying around £150 to upgrade your water cistern insulation.
Cost of pipe lagging
Insulating pipework in your loft space not only helps prevent heat loss but also reduces corrosion and protects your plumbing. It also can also lower your carbon footprint and even your energy bills.
The cost of pipe lagging is relatively low at just £6 per metre, and you should soon see the difference in your heating bills, so it’s worth doing. This is a job you can do yourself, but a loft insulation specialist will be happy to include it in the work they do for you at an additional cost.
Cost to repair a leak in a loft
If your loft is damp or has leaks, you’ll need to get this sorted before you install or replace insulation. Water ingress can damage the insulation and make it ineffective.
The cost of making your loft damp proof and watertight can vary depending on what needs to be done. You might need to work with a specialist roofer, who will generally charge between £250 and £300 per day.
Depending on the type of damp issue you have, working with a damp proofing specialist typically costs around £50 to £75 per m2.
Other repair jobs might need to be carried out by a handyperson, and you’ll be looking at paying around £30 per hour. This might increase in areas of London and the South East.
Cost to improve access to your loft
If your loft is currently tricky to access, you might want to install a new loft hatch and ladder. This not only makes it easier to install insulation, but it gives you easier access to additional storage space in your home.
Installing a ladder to your loft hatch typically costs around £275. If you need to widen or reposition the hatch, you’ll be looking at an extra £200.
How long does loft insulation installation take?
Installing loft insulation generally takes no more than a day. To install quilt insulation in a small space could take as little as a few hours. However, preparing your loft or attic for insulation (removing old insulation, boarding or repairing leaks) might involve complex jobs that take a little longer.
Here are some common loft insulation jobs and the average time they take:
| Work | Time |
|---|---|
| Removing old quilt insulation | 4 hours to 1.5 days |
| Removing old spray foam insulation | One week |
| Installing blanket insulation | Two to four hours |
| Installing spray foam insulation | Two hours |
| Boarding a loft | One to two days |
| Rerouting wiring in a loft | Up to one day |
| Pipe lagging | Four to six hours |
| Repairing leaks in a loft | One day |
How to reduce loft insulation costs
You can reduce the cost of insulating your loft by opting for a more affordable insulation material, like quilt or loose-fill insulation, over the more expensive alternatives. Be aware, however, that these options may not be as energy efficient, so you may not see the same level of savings reflected in your heating bills.
You can also reduce costs by making sure your loft is easily accessible and clear of clutter so that the work can be carried out quickly without needing to pay for clearance.
You might also be able to get free or cheap loft insulation through the government’s Great British Insulation Scheme. We’ve shared more information on this below so you can check if you’re eligible.
To get a fair and competitive price for your loft insulation, we recommend shopping around and getting a few quotes to compare. It’s completely free to post a job on MyBuilder and over 90% of jobs posted receive responses from experienced tradespeople.
FAQ
What type of loft insulation should I choose?
There are pros and cons to each of the different types of insulation. While quilt insulation is inexpensive and widely used, it can be bulky and tricky to fit. Have a chat with a loft insulation specialist through MyBuilder and they can offer advice on the best type for your home.
Can I get free loft insulation?
The government’s Great British Insulation Scheme lets you apply for free or cheaper insulation if your home is in Council Tax bands A to D in England or A to E in Scotland or Wales and has an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) of D to G.
You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant to apply for this scheme. If you’re a tenant, you’ll need your landlord’s permission before you install or replace insulation.
There are also certain grants available to older people and those on Jobseeker’s Allowance to help with heating bills, including free loft insulation. Do some research or speak to a loft insulation specialist to find out if you’re eligible.
Can I install insulation myself?
It is possible to install quilt or blanket insulation yourself, but we recommend working with a loft insulation specialist if you want to get the full benefit.
A professional tradesperson will prepare the area properly and make sure the insulation is up to scratch. This ensures your home is energy efficient and reduces your energy bills. Poorly installed insulation can sometimes cause structural damage to your home.
A professional insulation installer can also take care of insulation disposal for you.
Your loft insulation checklist
- Confirm the size of the space you need insulating: work out roughly how big your loft is so that you know how much insulation you’ll need.
- Speak to a local loft insulation specialist for advice on the best type of insulation: once you’ve been matched with loft insulation specialists through MyBuilder, you can get in touch to find out what kind of insulation they recommend and how much it costs.
- Factor in any additional costs: be sure to include any additional costs involved in preparing your loft for insulation, such as boarding or repairs, as well as equipment hire like the cost of a skip for disposing of old insulation.
- Shop around: get a few quotes, including a breakdown of material and labour costs, to make sure you’re getting the most competitive price. Then you can choose one that fits your budget and needs.
- Choose a reliable loft insulation specialist: Check out tradespeople’s reviews on MyBuilder and look at their work history and qualifications to make sure you’re confident in their skills and expertise.
MyBuilder can help you find a loft insulation specialist near you. Post your job, completely for free, and we’ll share it with loft insulation installers in your area. Check out verified customer reviews to help you choose the right person for the job.