InstaBidsHow much does attic insulation cost?
United States: homeowner survey
Households in the American Housing Survey that hired out new or replacement insulation reported a median of $2,500; the typical range (middle half of 372 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) was $1,000 to $5,000.
When the household did the insulation work itself: a median (279 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) of $500.
How measured: hired-out finished jobs, survey-weighted, not adjusted for inflation; do-it-yourself jobs the same way. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data read 16 October 2026.
These figures are estimates from U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data years 2021-2023, read 16 October 2026, for the United States. They are not a quote, and they are not a promise of what any contractor on InstaBids will charge. Your price depends on your home, the materials and the contractor. Get written bids before you decide.
What is the attic insulation cost?
The survey item is "Added or replaced insulation" for the whole house, not only the attic, so wall and crawlspace jobs are in the same range, and the answers do not record the depth added.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, AHS 2023 Value Labels Package, read 16 October 2026.
Owners do almost half of this work: 52 percent of the insulation jobs with a reported cost were hired out, close to garbage disposal and dishwasher work (51 percent) and far below roofing (87 percent).
ENERGY STAR gives a quick way to see what is there now: measure the depth in inches and multiply by about 3 for common fiberglass, cellulose or mineral wool. It recommends at least R-38, about 13 to 14 inches, in the southern part of the country and R-49 in the north.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Check Your Home's Attic Insulation Level, read 16 October 2026.
What is the cost to install attic insulation?
Before calling a contractor, ENERGY STAR suggests knowing the current depth, the rough dimensions of the attic floor and how the attic is reached, and mentioning an older home that might have knob-and-tube wiring.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Hire an Attic Insulation Contractor, read 16 October 2026.
It asks contractors to seal attic holes and gaps before adding insulation, and says any estimate should include baffles so the soffit vents stay open.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Hire an Attic Insulation Contractor, read 16 October 2026.
Old insulation usually stays: ENERGY STAR says new insulation can go on top unless the old is wet, moldy, smelly or soiled by animals.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Hire an Attic Insulation Contractor, read 16 October 2026.
What changes the blown insulation cost?
- Material: ENERGY STAR says most contractors use blown-in loose fill for attic floors, typically fiberglass or cellulose.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Hire an Attic Insulation Contractor, read 16 October 2026.
- Fuel-burning equipment in the attic: after air sealing, EPA recommends combustion safety testing by an HVAC professional, and the contractor must document the insulation added and the new R-value.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Hire an Attic Insulation Contractor, read 16 October 2026.
- Owner or contractor: households that added or replaced insulation on their own reported a much lower median than those who hired the work out.
Get written bids
Contractors who take part estimate from your photos and a written scope card, so nobody visits before you see any prices. InstaBids is in an early pilot in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Sources for the figures on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/data/2023/ahs-2023-public-use-file--puf-.html, read 16 October 2026. U.S. government work; no endorsement implied.
- U.S. Census Bureau, AHS 2023 Value Labels Package, www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/2023/AHS%202023%20Value%20Labels%20Package.zip, read 16 October 2026.
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Check Your Home's Attic Insulation Level, www.energystar.gov/products/ask-the-experts/how-to-check-your-homes-attic-insulation-level, read 16 October 2026.
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), How to Hire an Attic Insulation Contractor, www.energystar.gov/products/ask-the-experts/how-to-hire-an-attic-insulation-contractor, read 16 October 2026.