Insulation costs $800 to $7,400 per project in 2026
Insulation costs $800 to $7,400 per project in 2026. Fixr lists a national range of $2,000 to $7,400, with an average of $4,700 for a 2,000 square foot home. Block Renovation lists attic jobs at $1,700 to $2,500 as typical. The type of insulation, the area, and the size of the space move the price the most. Spray foam costs more than batts or blown in.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Block Renovation | Block Renovation lists attic insulation at $1,700 to $2,500 as typical, or $1 to $3 per square foot installed, with a 500 square foot attic at $800 to $1,500. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists a national range of $2,000 to $7,400 for home insulation, with an average of $4,700 for a 2,000 square foot home. |
| PickHVAC | PickHVAC lists fiberglass at $1.25 to $2.40 per square foot, open cell foam at $3.80 to $4.95, and closed cell foam at $5.35 to $6.75. |
Insulation cost by type, per square foot
| Insulation type | Cost per square foot | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass batts | $0.80 to $2.50 | Block Renovation |
| Blown in cellulose | $1.20 to $3 | Block Renovation |
| Spray foam, attic | $1.50 to $5 | Block Renovation |
| Spray foam, any area | $1 to $4.50 | Fixr |
| Blown in or loose fill | $0.50 to $2.30 | Fixr |
| Open cell spray foam, attic | $3.80 to $4.95 | PickHVAC |
| Closed cell spray foam, attic | $5.35 to $6.75 | PickHVAC |
| Removing old insulation | $1 to $2 | Block Renovation |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type of insulation | Batts cost least and spray foam costs most. Fixr lists batts at $0.30 to $2.10 per square foot and spray foam at $1 to $4.50. |
| Area being insulated | Attics, walls, and crawl spaces cost differently. Fixr lists attics at $0.50 to $2.30 per square foot and basements or crawl spaces at $0.25 to $4.50. |
| Attic size | More space means more material. Block Renovation lists a 500 square foot attic at $800 to $1,500 and a 2,000 square foot attic at $3,000 to $7,000. |
| Old insulation removal | Pulling out wet or old material adds work. Block Renovation and PickHVAC both list removal at $1 to $2 per square foot. |
| Labor and access | Tight attics with wires and ducts take longer. Fixr says labor is 30 to 50 percent of the total, or $30 to $80 per hour. |
What the price includes
Most quotes cover the material, the labor to install it, and cleanup. Extras can include air sealing, removing old insulation, vapor barriers, and permits. Block Renovation lists air sealing at $200 to $1,500. Ask whether the quote includes the R value you want and how thick the new layer will be. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
You can install batts or rolls in an open attic yourself if you are careful. PickHVAC says DIY can cut costs by about 25 to 50 percent, depending on the type. Spray foam and blown in jobs need special tools and training, so most people hire a pro. Wear a mask, gloves, and eye cover. Do not block vents or cover lights that give off heat. A pro can also find air leaks and fix them before the new layer goes in.
How to tell you need it
Signs include rooms that are too hot or too cold, high power bills, ice dams in winter, and drafts near walls and floors. You can look in the attic. If you can see the floor boards or beams, the layer is likely thin. Wet or squashed material also needs a fix. An energy audit can show where heat escapes.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote list the type, R value, and depth of the new insulation?
- Is the area in square feet stated, and which spaces are covered?
- Are air sealing and old insulation removal included or extra?
- Does the crew show a license and proof of insurance?
- Compare the total with the range above: $800 to $7,400 per project for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Seal air leaks first. Block Renovation lists air sealing at $200 to $1,500, and sealing helps new insulation work better.
- Choose blown in insulation for open attics. Fixr lists blown in at $0.50 to $2.30 per square foot, against up to $4.50 for spray foam.
- Get three quotes and compare the R value, the depth, and the square feet in each. A cheap quote can hide a thin layer.
- Insulate the attic first, then do walls or crawl spaces later as your budget allows. Spreading the work out can ease the cost.
- Check for rebates and tax credits for insulation before you start, since the rules and amounts change by place and by year.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Labor makes up 30 to 50 percent of an insulation job, per Fixr, so higher crew pay in 2026 lifts the total.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Block Renovation, Fixr and PickHVAC. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does home insulation cost?
Fixr lists a national range of $2,000 to $7,400, with an average of $4,700 for a 2,000 square foot home.
How much does attic insulation cost?
Block Renovation lists $1,700 to $2,500 as typical, or $1 to $3 per square foot installed.
How much does spray foam cost?
Fixr lists $1 to $4.50 per square foot. PickHVAC lists open cell at $3.80 to $4.95 and closed cell at $5.35 to $6.75 for attics.
How much does insulation labor cost?
Fixr says labor is 30 to 50 percent of the total, or $30 to $80 per hour.
Does removing old insulation cost extra?
Yes. Block Renovation and PickHVAC list removal at about $1 to $2 per square foot.