Jan 12, 2024

Four Reasons Why a Visual Inspection is Necessary When Quoting an Insulation Project

Every Saturday morning for the better part of a decade, our company has hosted a call-in home improvement radio show on WCCO 830 AM. In that time, we’ve fielded questions about industry trends, DIY projects, and building materials. On occasion, homeowners will call us for feedback on experiences they’ve had with other contractors.

A few weeks ago, a homeowner called in and told us that he’d been requesting insulation estimates from multiple contractors. One of the contractors the homeowner had reached out to had asked him to forward the other estimates he had so that he could bid off those, without ever having visited the home. Suffice it to say, the homeowner was uninterested in continuing the conversation any further.

Here’s why it’s so important that your insulation contractor takes the time to visit your attic prior to showing up to complete the work.

Evaluation of Current Insulation

Having the ability to evaluate your home’s current insulation allows reputable contractors the ability to determine if it can be added to or must be removed and replaced. They are trained to recognize insulation that has been damaged by moisture or animals that have made their way into your attic. They also have the training to recognize insulation with the potential for asbestos and vermiculite.

Accurate Measurements

A key aspect that impacts the price of an insulation project is the square footage of the attic. For those that don’t do this on a regular basis, this can be trickier than it sounds. Attic areas are not always perfect squares. The spacing between studs must also be considered. Contractors also need to inspect for recessed lighting, chimneys, and combusting air inlets. Botching any of these measurements can throw off the amount of insulation needed and cause the overall completed project price to vary from the original quote.

Material Suggestions

Without having eyes on the project, it can prove challenging for an insulation contractor to determine the best type(s) of insulation that should be used. Visiting your home prior to the project also allows insulation contractors the ability to perform diagnostic testing with smoke sticks and FLIR imaging to determine all the areas where your home may be leaking energy.

Go Behind the Scenes on this Roof Insulation & Ventilation Project:

Inspecting Attic Ventilation

It’s critical that an insulation contractor evaluate the attic’s current air flow so that moisture can exit the attic without causing damage, such as mold. Inadequate ventilation can cause attic temperatures to be unnecessarily hot in the summer which can cause your shingles to age prematurely. Quality insulation contractors can also identify if your bathroom fan is blowing into the attic. This situation proves problematic because moisture, mold, and odors are frequently the result.

Insulation & Ventilation Reviews:

"I was very happy with the free insulation estimate I received from the Lindus rep. He took the time to walk me and my father-in-law through a thermal scan of all the leaky spots in my attic - and basement, bonus! - and was honest and forthright about the work they do and the best and most economical options available to us to improve ambient temperature control in these areas."

Rima F.

Lake Elmo, MN

January 9, 2024

"I did two big projects in 2023 with Lindus. First was removing and replacing attic insulation plus creating proper ventilation. Second was replacing roof and adding LeafGuard^®. Did everything go perfectly? No but that is where a company shows its merits. All issues were resolved! I even received a check for unused supplies. I highly recommend Lindus. They are not the cheapest. You get what you pay for."

Jill D.

St. Paul, MN

December 14, 2023

"Randall Bowman and an attic insulation crew attended to my Somerset, WI condo in Oct. 2023. They were ahead of schedule, very conscientious about not causing any damage or mess in the house. Very conscientious about not blocking traffic for my condo development neighbors. And, they were very efficient-- finishing earlier than they estimated. I would highly recommend Lindus Construction and the two insulation company they contract with."

Deb M.

Somerset, WI

October 12, 2023

"Lindus Construction did a great job of removing old insulation in our attic and then sprayed foam insulation to seal the air leaks in both our attic and basement. They then installed new insulation to meet current building codes and corrected venting issues. Randall kept me updated me updated at each step of project which I appreciated. The Lindus team was very courteous and did great job of keeping our house clean during this time."

Ken M.

Cottage Grove, MN

November 22, 2023

"Jake was very helpful and responsive in getting through this catastrophic event when a huge chunk of ice crashed through our family room ceiling. He was helpful in discussions with insurance company, especially as when they sent out an evaluator he spent less then 20 minutes on the job, then disappeared."

Gary I.

Stillwater, MN

September 10, 2023

"I initially thought I needed more attic insulation, but after an inspection by Tyler Durand, it turned out we had enough insulation, but poor ventilation. I replaced clogged eve vents on the west side of my home, and when Randall Bowman installed 6-foot air vent shoots in the attic, he also replaced the eve vents on the east side and added an extra vent. Randall went above and beyond, and I'm grateful for his extra effort. This should help keep more snow on the roof this winter. Overall, I'm highly satisfied and would recommend Lindus to others."

Lyle D.

New Hope, MN

September 5, 2023