InstaBidsWhat is the cost for spray foam insulation?
This survey has no spray foam insulation-specific figure. The figure below covers all "Added or replaced insulation" jobs, so read it as context, not as the price of spray foam insulation alone.
Context: all "Added or replaced insulation" jobs
$2,500 was the median homeowner survey figure for insulation work of all types, not spray foam alone, for data years 2021-2023 in the United States. Insulation work of all types, not spray-foam-only, had a typical range (middle half of 372 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) of $1,000 to $5,000.
Updated 2026-11-03
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| What was measured | Median | Typical range (middle half) |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation work of all types, not spray-foam-only, had | 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 |
How measured: hired-out finished jobs, survey-weighted, not adjusted for inflation. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data read 31 October 2026.
These figures are estimates from U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data years 2021-2023, read 31 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.
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What is spray foam insulation?
U.S. EPA archived product types, two-component SPF composition: “SPF products contain approximately 50 percent Side A and 50 percent Side B.”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
Describe the spray foam job once on InstaBids, and insulation contractors bid in writing on that scope.
What is closed cell spray foam?
Natural Resources Canada, closed-cell application: “Closed-cell polyurethane foam (also called high-density or two-pound foam) is sprayed onto surfaces in layers not more than 50 mm (2 in.) thick at each pass (if greater thicknesses are desired), where it hardens in seconds.”
Source: Natural Resources Canada, read 31 October 2026.
If you want closed cell foam, say so in your InstaBids description so every bid is for the same foam.
What is open cell spray foam insulation?
Natural Resources Canada, open-cell material: “Open-cell polyurethane foam (also known as low-density or half-pound foam) is made from a combination of isocyanurate resins and catalysts, resulting in an open-celled, spongy semiflexible material.”
Source: Natural Resources Canada, read 31 October 2026.
Natural Resources Canada, open-cell spray foam R/in. range in Table 3-1: “R-3.6 to 3.8”
Source: Natural Resources Canada, read 31 October 2026.
Name open cell foam in the job you post on InstaBids when that is the type you want installed.
What is the R value of spray foam insulation?
Natural Resources Canada, closed-cell spray foam R/in. range in Table 3-1: “R-5.2 to 6.5”
Source: Natural Resources Canada, read 31 October 2026.
Natural Resources Canada, open-cell spray foam R/in. range in Table 3-1: “R-3.6 to 3.8”
Source: Natural Resources Canada, read 31 October 2026.
The R value you are after can go in your InstaBids scope, and each written bid answers it.
Can I do spray foam insulation myself?
U.S. EPA archived product types, two-component low-pressure applicators: “Available for do-it-yourself applicators, but the same precautions should be taken as with professional-use.”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
U.S. EPA archived product types, two-component low-pressure precautions: “DIY applicators are often unaware of inhalation and dermal hazards and may not have adequate knowledge, training and experience to wear adequate personal protective equipment.”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
U.S. EPA archived product types, two-component low-pressure containers: “Typically three to five gallons per container from the system house, but can be purchased in larger containers over the internet or in some retail markets”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
If you would rather hire it out, post the spray foam job on InstaBids and you choose who gets your number.
What spray foam insulation includes
Where a quote below names a city or county, it is that office's own rule, shown as one example; the permit office for your home may set different rules.
| What the source says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Canada, spray-foam materials: “Options for spray-foam insulation include closed-cell polyurethane foam and open-cell polyurethane foam described as follows.” | Natural Resources Canada, read 31 October 2026. |
| U.S. EPA archived ventilation guidance, scheduling: “Construction activities should be carefully scheduled so that no other trades or occupants are in the building during SPF Installation.” | U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026. |
Write the spray foam options above into your InstaBids job, and contractors bid in writing on them.
Line items a written bid should list
- U.S. EPA archived ventilation guidance, air flow: “Establish air flow across the entire spraying area”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
- U.S. EPA archived ventilation guidance, HVAC openings: “Seal off HVAC openings to prevent migration of contaminants”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
- U.S. EPA archived ventilation guidance, after application: “Continue ventilating the area after application”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
Spray foam bids on InstaBids arrive in writing, so the items above become a list to read each bid against.
How to compare written bids like for like
Ask every contractor to bid in writing on the same line items listed above, then compare the written bids line by line.
Natural Resources Canada, accessory products to compare: “Does any single type of insulation require more accessory products than another (e.g. fire protection, air and vapour barrier or framing)?”
Source: Natural Resources Canada, read 31 October 2026.
U.S. EPA archived re-entry guidance, product-specific instructions: “Contact your manufacturer or supplier for specific guidance on ventilation time, re-entry time, and re-occupancy time for your specific product and scenario.”
Source: U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, read 31 October 2026.
Contractors on InstaBids all bid on the one spray foam scope you posted, so the bids line up side by side.
Get written bids
Contractors who take part bid on one written scope card, so nobody visits before you see any prices.
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 31 October 2026. U.S. government work; no endorsement implied.
- U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, archive.epa.gov/epa/saferchoice/spray-polyurethane-foam-product-types.html, read 31 October 2026.
- Natural Resources Canada, natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/home-energy-efficiency/keeping-heat-section-3-materials-insulation-house-wrap-barriers-weatherstripping, read 31 October 2026.
- U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, 19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/saferchoice/ventilation-guidance-spray-polyurethane-foam-application_.html, read 31 October 2026.
- U.S. EPA archived Safer Choice guidance, archive.epa.gov/epa/saferchoice/vacate-and-safe-re-entry-time-spray-polyurethane-foam-application.html, read 31 October 2026.