Hire a Contractor or Install Insulation Yourself? 5 Things to Consider

There are many reasons why homeowners choose to insulate their property. Insulation increases a home’s energy efficiency, boosts its thermal comfort levels, and raises the property’s overall value.

In most cases, homeowners would hire a professional insulation contractor to handle the installation job. Not only do the pros have the proper gear and equipment, but they can also finish the job in the most efficient ways possible.

Nevertheless, hiring professionals can get expensive. As such, to cut down on costs, a lot of homeowners are opting to take the do-it-yourself route.

There’s no denying that hiring a professional insulation contractor and handling the home improvement project through a DIY approach each has its own set of benefits.

Because of this, choosing one between the two can get tricky. If you’re having trouble choosing which option suits your situation better, you can more easily reach a decision if you consider the 5 things below.: 

1. The Type of Insulation That Need to be Installed

Depending on the type of insulation system you want to incorporate into your property, installing it on your own can be easy or quite difficult. Insulation that comes in batt or blanket form is usually simple to handle, especially since its packaging comes with instructions.

Examples of insulation materials that come in batt or blanket form include the following:

• Fiberglass batt and roll insulation
• Mineral wool batt and roll insulation
• Cellulose batt and roll insulation
• Natural fibers batt and roll insulation
• Plastic fibers batt and roll insulation

Other types of products, like spray foam and blown-in insulation, are generally installed by professionals since special installation equipment is required.

Should you decide to install batt or blanket insulation, you need to wear the following safety gear to protect yourself during the process:

• Eye protection
• Dust mask
• Gloves
• Clothes that cover your body from head to toe

It’s also a good idea to work with a partner. This makes the job easier and faster to complete.

2. The Space Being Insulated

It’s easier to install insulation if the space is open and accessible. That being said, you usually won’t have any trouble placing insulation by yourself if you’re working with an attic or basement that has an entry.

On the other hand, it’s best to leave areas like the crawlspace, floors, ceilings, and walls to the pros. They have the equipment and know-how to install insulation in these tight and hard-to-reach areas properly, especially if demolition is required.

Hiring a professional insulation contractor is also a better option if you’re renovating or remodeling your home. This ensures that the insulation system is installed without the risk of delaying your other home improvement projects.

3. Your Experience

Having experience in installing insulation can be very helpful when taking on any installation project. If you’ve worked with this type of home upgrade before, then you probably already know the correct procedures to make sure that the insulation system is installed the right way.

You also know how much and what type of insulation you need to gain the R-values that you seek.

Of course, it’s highly recommended to hire a professional insulation contractor if you have zero experience installing insulation. Nevertheless, if you plan to insulate the other areas of your home on your own, it’s good to partner up with people who have experience taking the DIY route.

4. Your Willingness to Sacrifice Time and Comfort

Installing insulation is a tiring and time-consuming job. You’ll also be subjected to a lot of discomfort since you’ll be installing it in areas that have poor ventilation and visibility.

Because of these reasons, many homeowners would rather have the professionals take on the job since it’s more convenient. However, if you’re willing to invest time and to endure working in uncomfortable environments, then you can consider handling the project by yourself.

5. Potential Safety Issues

Even if you have experience installing insulation and are willing to work in uncomfortable conditions, you might need to cancel your DIY project if you’re facing safety issues.

No matter what type of home improvement upgrade you’re doing, safety should always be your number one priority. That’s why if you notice the following problems in the area you’re installing, it’s best to contact a professional:

• Mold and mildew infestation
• Wet or damp surfaces
• Air leaks
• Wood rot on wooden beams, walls, and floors
• Exposed wiring
• Possible signs of asbestos

Before insulation contractors start on any project, they’ll first inspect the area. Since they have the experience and tools to perform this step, they can easily spot any potential safety issue your property is experiencing.

From here, they can implement a solution immediately or recommend another service provider who can handle the problem correctly (as is the case with asbestos removal).

Insulating your home has many benefits, but not everyone has the means to hire a professional to have the system installed. Fortunately, installing insulation through DIY methods is possible, giving homeowners who are working on a tight budget a chance to get the upgrade done.

However, before you start insulating a space all by yourself, you need to first consider the factors mentioned above. By taking these things into account, you can have a more informed decision in terms of the next steps you will take.