Crawl space insulation costs on average $3,550 but can vary depending on the size of the crawl space and type of insulation used.
Crawl space insulation costs $3,550 for the average 1,000-square-foot crawl space, but prices can range from $2,600 to $16,900 depending on the size and the materials. Adding insulation to your crawl space may help lower energy bills and provide comfort no matter the season. Use this cost guide to determine how much does crawl space insulation costs for your home.
When budgeting for crawl space insulation costs, you can break down how much you might spend by looking at the type of insulation, the materials, the size of your crawl space, labor, prep work, your location, and any insulation removal costs.
Insulation costs anywhere from $0.25 to $2 per board foot on average. Rigid foam board has the lowest starting cost, batts and rolls have the lowest overall costs, while spray foam comes in with the highest price tag.
Insulation Type | Average Cost Per Board Foot (for Materials) | Average Cost Per Board Foot (with Labor) |
---|---|---|
Batt and Roll | $0.30 – $1.50 | $0.55 – $2 |
Blown-In and Loose-Fill | $1 – $2 | $1.25 – $2.50 |
Rigid Foam Board | $0.25 – $2 | $0.50 – $2.50 |
Spray Foam | $1 – $2 | $1.25 – $2.50 |
Both batt and roll insulation cost between $0.30 and $1.50 per board foot for a total of $300 to $1,500 in materials for a standard crawl space of 1,000 square feet. These materials consist of fiberglass and are very DIY-friendly, thanks to the ease with which you can install the material.
The average cost to install blown-in insulation or loose-fill insulation is between $1 and $2 per board foot or $1,000 to $2,000 per 1,000 square feet of space. Most blown-in insulation and loose-fill insulations are made from cellulose. This insulation type is best left to professional insulation installers, but if you're up for a learning curve, you can learn how to install cellulose insulation yourself using a blowing machine—and safety equipment.
Most rigid foam board insulation costs between $0.25 and $2 per board foot on average, not including labor. This means you'll spend somewhere between $250 and $2,000 to install this type of insulation in a standard crawl space. Rigid foam boards come in panels, making them easy to install but more challenging to customize for uniquely shaped crawl spaces.
Spray foam insulation costs between $1 and $2 per board foot on average or $1,000 to $2,000 for a 1,000-square-foot crawl space. Spray foam insulation comes in many different types, with polyurethane spray foam costing the least. Open-cell foam insulation is the most budget-friendly, while closed-cell spray foam insulation falls toward the higher end of the price range.
Crawl space insulation materials cost between $0.30 and $6.75 per board foot. Polystyrene insulation is the most cost-friendly material, while wood fiber is the costliest insulation material. Here’s a breakdown of each insulation material.
Insulation Material | Average Cost (per Board Foot) |
---|---|
Fiberglass | $0.30 – $1.50 |
Cellulose | $0.60 – $2.30 |
Mineral wool | $1.40 – $3.10 |
Polystyrene | $0.25 – $0.50 |
Wood fiber | $4.25 – $6.75 |
When most people think of what insulation is, fiberglass is a popular insulation material that may come to mind. Fiberglass costs somewhere between $0.30 and $1.50 per board foot. While fiberglass insulation is commonly used in attic roof insulation, between subflooring, and between joists, this material is not ideal for crawl spaces due to its susceptibility to moisture damage.
The average cost of cellulose insulation is between $0.60 and $2.30 per board foot. For small crawl spaces, using cellulose can make for an easy installation because it’s usually blown into the crawl space to fill the area with insulation. The higher cost is largely due to the equipment needed to install this material.
Mineral wool insulation costs range from $1.40 to $3.10 per board foot, depending on the quality of the materials. You'll pay more for mineral wool insulation because of the higher cost to manufacture the materials, but mineral wool is one of the most environmentally friendly materials because it’s made from up to 40% recycled materials.
Polystyrene rigid foam boards cost between $0.25 and $0.50 per board foot. As the cheapest crawl space insulation material, polystyrene is a great option for those looking for an effective, water-resistant insulation material.
Another water-resistant insulation for crawl spaces is wood fiber, which costs anywhere between $4.25 and $6.75 per board foot. Wood fiber insulation boards are eco-friendly, but they come at a higher cost than all other insulation materials because of their limited availability.
The average cost to insulate a crawl space is between $0.30 and $6.75 for materials, which is roughly the same as the cost per square foot. This means that the cost of your crawl space insulation project will vary based on the total square footage. Most crawl spaces fall between 250 and 2,500 square feet and will cost between $75 and $16,900 for insulation materials.
Refer to the following chart to estimate the cost of your insulation by crawl space size.
Crawl Space Size (Square Feet) | Price Range |
---|---|
250 | $75 – $1,700 |
500 | $150 – $3,400 |
1,000 | $300 – $6,800 |
1,500 | $450 – $10,100 |
2,000 | $600 – $13,500 |
2,500 | $750 – $16,900 |
If you decide to work with a professional insulation company, you’ll need to add anywhere from $0.25 to $0.50 per board foot to the cost of your installation for a total of $0.55 to $7.25 per board foot with labor. This price increase means you’ll spend between $150 and $18,100 for crawl spaces ranging from 250 to 2,500 square feet. Spray foam insulation will cost the most to install, while batt or rolls tend to cost the least to install.
Keep in mind, that some installers charge by the hour. Anticipate paying between $40 and $80 per hour for companies that charge hourly.
Your crawl space may need prep work before you can begin installing insulation. The cost to prep a crawl space depends on the condition of the crawl space. For instance, cleaning a crawl space costs between $0.55 and $2.70 per square foot on average or $550 to $2,700 for a typical 1,000-square-foot crawl space.
Where you live can also play a role in the overall cost of installing crawl space insulation. Areas with a higher cost of living may fall at the higher end of the price range, while regions with a lower cost of living may fall at the lower end of the price range.
Similarly, since some crawl space insulation installers charge an hourly rate, crawl spaces that are hard to access can take longer to insulate—leading to an increase in cost.
If you already have insulation in your crawl space that needs removing, the cost to remove insulation is between $1 and $1.50 per square foot. Batts and rolls are the easiest and therefore less expensive materials to remove, while spray foam is more time-consuming and costly.
Most crawl space insulation does not require any ongoing expenses or maintenance, though all crawl spaces benefit from routine inspections to ensure there’s no water damage, pests, moisture buildup, or other compromises to the area. With this in mind, you may on occasion need to repair your crawl space. Here’s a quick look at how much this may cost—especially if you need to invest in repair costs before installing new insulation.
The average cost to repair a crawl space falls between $0.55 and $2.70 per square foot. In most cases, repairing insulation is not a feasible way to get the most out of your insulation. If your boards are damaged, or water damage has struck your fiberglass, there’s a good chance you’ll need to remove the old insulation and install new insulation to get the most out of the material.
If you decide to DIY your crawl space insulation, then you could save between roughly $0.25 and $0.50 per square foot or $60 to $1,250 in labor depending on the square footage of the crawl space.
While you might be tempted to install crawl space insulation yourself to save on the cost of your project, you should consider working with an insulation company near you to do the job if you don’t have experience installing insulation or plan on using spray foam insulation, which benefits from the expertise and precision of a trained professional.
When insulating your crawl space, you might be tempted to add on several other services, including crawl space encapsulation, a sump pump installation, pest removal, and mold remediation. Let's break down how much each of these add-ons can cost.
The average crawl space encapsulation cost is $5,500, but prices can range from $1,500 to $15,000. Crawl space encapsulation can help protect your house from water damage. It works by sealing the interior of your crawl space to keep mold, critters, and moisture from sneakily entering your crawl space.
A crawl space sump pump installation costs around $3,900 on average, depending on the type of sump pump. This is more than double the cost of installing a sump pump in other parts of the home due to the complexity of the installation. Your installer may need to dig by hand to install the sump pump, as there is less room compared to a basement or yard.
Pest control costs anywhere from $50 to $500 on average. The type of pest and the severity of the infestation play important roles in just how much it will cost to eradicate any unwanted animals from your crawl space. If you need regular pest control visits and multiple treatments, you could spend around $150 to $300 for the initial visit and $40 to $70 for monthly visits until your crawl space is pest-free.
If mold has struck your crawl space and needs removing, anticipate spending between $500 and $2,000 on mold remediation costs before you can insulate the crawl space.
There's no way to get around this—insulating a crawl space can add up big time. But with a few tips and tricks, you can save on the cost of insulating your crawl space. Consider the following money-saving solutions to cut back on costs.
DIY the installation if you feel confident doing so.
Opt for low-cost materials like fiberglass or polystyrene boards.
Choose batts, rolls, or rigid foam board insulation.
If you do choose spray foam insulation, open-cell insulation is cheaper upfront.
Prepare the space yourself to save on hourly labor costs.
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Yes, crawl space insulation is worth it if installed correctly. Installing insulation in your crawl space will improve the air quality, help stabilize your home's temperature, lower your energy bills, and prevent pests from entering your home. Though you’ll pay more to install insulation initially, the savings you get from installing insulation can help offset those initial costs over time.
Rigid foam insulation boards are one of the best insulation materials for crawl spaces. This material insulates the home well, resists water damage, and won't settle like fiberglass or cellulose. Closed-cell spray foam insulation is another effective insulation that both seals the air and provides excellent thermal protection for hard-to-reach spaces like crawl spaces.
The lifespan of crawl space insulation depends on how well you maintain your insulation and the type of insulation. Fiberglass will need replacing every 15 to 20 years on average if you don't have a vapor barrier in place. If you do have vapor barriers in place, then your insulation could last much longer. Spray foam insulation can last anywhere from 80 to 100 years.