Houle Insulation Inc

Insulation, Drywall, Energy Efficiency Auditing,

About us

For more than 30 years, Houle Insulation Inc., a Minnesota based insulation contractor, has been re-insulating homes in Minnesota just like yours. A better insulated home is more energy efficient, comfortable and quiet. It will save you money on utility bills for years to come. And, by using less energy to heat and cool your home, you reduce the negative impacts on the environment caused by energy use. Houle Insulation Inc. specializes in re-insulating existing homes; sidewalls, attics, bypass sealing and blower door testing in the state of Minnesota. Blowing cellulose insulation into your walls and floors, and sealing attic bypasses can reduce high heating and cooling bills, ice dams and drafty rooms. Some other problems homeowners are faced with are frost, mold and water damage to ceilings. The discomforts of a poorly insulated home are often wrongly blamed on furnace and air conditioning problems when the actual cause is the insulation or installation of the insulation. You could save significantly on your heating and cooling bills by having attic bypasses sealed and insulating your walls and attic to adequate levels.

Business highlights

47 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

Insulation installation & removal.

Services we don't offer

blown fiberglass insulation

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes
Warranties
Yes


Accepted payment methods

Check

Photos of past projects

Reviews

4.9357 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
91%
4
6%
3
2%
2
1%
1
1%


Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.9
value
4.7
professionalism
4.9
responsiveness
4.9
punctuality
5.0

Filter reviews by category

Showing 251-357 of 357 reviews

Susan H.
11/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
The crew was efficient, clean, polite and a joy to work with. They finished ahead of time and on budget. They returned willingly to inspect and fix a small interior crack that occurred during the job. The crew loves their work. They are treated well by their boss and work hard for him and for the customer.
Description of Work: Installed insulation in attic and very wide, totally uninsulated walls of 90 year old building.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$6,300

NANCY L.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
During Todd's estimate visit in August, Houle Insulation was quite backed up with work orders and we were scheduled for early November. To our surprise, Todd called a month early (September) that the crew was doing a job in our area and could insulate our house that day if we were ready. Everyone at Houle was professional, prompt, courteous and fair in the pricing. As Todd promised, we noticed right away that our furnace was not coming on as much, especially nice when we got hit with an October arctic blast. Thanks to everyone at Houle, we highly recommend them.
Description of Work: Todd Trauba came out to inspect our home August 10 for adding attic insulation and gave an estimate. He not only did a thorough search, but caught a few items needing updating before the insulation could be blown in. He showed poorly insulated areas that were causing ice dams outside that would be solved after added insulation was put in. He provided a detailed estimate with other improvements they would make during installation.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,695

JEFF & CAROLYN A.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
From the moment Todd came to give us an estimate he was very reassuring. Even though ours was a small project he treated us and our project with respect. He gave us a reasonable time-frame for the work. Prior to the work being performed we were given a scheduling call with an ACTUAL TIME not a four hour spread. On the day of the installation they were actually able to come early, they called to ask if it would be OK. The installation staff was very polite and knowledgeable. They respected the age of our home, and in their process they lift the siding and drill through the underlayment so I just have to touch up a couple of nailholes. They even swept up nicely afterward. You can barely tell they were there. Also, with temperatures dropping we can already feel a difference in what was a very cold room.
Description of Work: Houle blew cellulose insulation into the exterior walls of our kitchen of our historic home. Our kitchen as at the Southwest side of our home where we get the most wind. It was important that they do a visually unobtrusive job, we didn't want those big circular holes cut into the side of our house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$500

BRENT & MAUREEN N.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Todd came out in March to look over our home. Due to extremely high gas bills we were concerned we had bigger problems than the attic. He informed us that the walls were great and we only needed insulation in the attic and areas around our four fireplaces. He was polite, on time and honest. And very busy! It took five months before they could come out to do the work! The only disappointment was some plants in the front of the house being crushed during the work. We are waiting for the first heat bill and hoping for the best.
Description of Work: Re-insulated our attic and chimney areas.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,075

Max H.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Prompt with estimate visit and installation, and explained everything to be done. Cleaned up well.
Description of Work: Re-blow attic to an R-44 using class A cellulose, and seal attic bypasses, plumbing pipes, hall linen drops(2), and flue chase way. Install 6 feet long air chutes for ventilation. Cover door with batting. Gained access from roof, did not need to enter home.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,525

Stacy L.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
We got our estimate from Houle in June, and had to wait until October for them to complete the work because they are in such high demand. They were flexible in scheduling the work for a day that I had off from work, which I appreciated. They called two days ahead of the scheduled work to confirm with me, and Todd called at 7:00 am on the day of the work to let me know that he was running a few minutes late, which I also appreciated. They arrived at our house at 7:30 am with a crew of five men, and they were able to finish the job by 2:00. They placed tarps on our hardwood floors and taped down the edges, and vacuumed our hallway and front entryway after the work was done. They were also accommodation in being willing to talk to my husband on the phone from his job when he had questions. They were very professional and hard-working; I would recommend them to anyone.
Description of Work: Our 1959 house had very little insulation in the attic. Houle sealed all of our attic bypasses, installed air chutes in all of our soffits, and sealed the access door. They worked around recessed lighting, dropped ceilings, and exhaust fans. They cut a small hole in our roof into which they inserted the hose, and they blew in class A cellulose insulation to an R-44. They then vented the hole. They also needed to climb into the rafters of our garage to gain access to the rest of our attic.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,475

SHARON H.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Very prompt in returning my phone call. Made every effort to coordinate the timing of the insulation with the stucco work. The crew was very thoughtful, even worked in inclimate weather. The job was completed in a timely manner; employees were polite and the job site was clean.
Description of Work: Insulate 1928 stucco home and add insulation over the sun porch. Blown in insulation.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,000

MAX J.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
They were on time and explained what they were doing. They explained options clearly and let us make the choices.
Description of Work: They insulated the attic. They did a thorough job of filling in drop ceiling areas and building boxes around lights.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,555

LINDA W.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Though they had a long waiting list (which is a result of the long list of customers wanting their service!) they asked if I would be interested if they could squeeze me in on short notice - mine would be a fairly quick job (small house, close to their place). They were able to squeeze me in - which I thought was wonderful - I didn't need much notice. They arrived timely (both for the estimate, and for the job). They explained what they would do, why and how. After they arrived to do the job and were oriented to the house, I was able to go to work and leave them to do their stuff. When I arrived home, everything was back to the order in which I left things. If it weren't for the noticeable difference in heating and cooling, I'd have thought they were never there! I have nothing but great things to say about this wonderful company!
Description of Work: They removed some vinyl siding slats to blow in insulation in the walls, and also blew insulation into the attic - they did this without having to drag any equipment into the house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,550

LYNN D.
10/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
The owner was on time for the estimate. I hired him on the spot. The job was done within a week. I left for work when the crew showed up and when I came home everything was clean.
Description of Work: Added insulation in the attic.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,000

NANCY B.
09/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Todd was prompt in coming to our house to do a quote (even though they had a backlog of 6+ months to actually do the work). Once we accepted the bid, they were great in working with us to set up a time to come. They showed up on time, all of the people working on my house were polite and neat. They all removed their shoes before coming in the house and they cleaned up after themselves. They even swept the street in front of my house. I think they did a great job and I am looking forward to lower heating bills and no ice dams this winter!
Description of Work: Added cellulose insulation to my attic.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,195

Peter H.
09/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
My phone call was returned quickly and an appointment was scheduled a few days later. The guy who came out was very helpful and let me know that I didn't need any more ventilation (others confirmed this). Their quote for the insulation work was on the high side, so I went with someone else. Otherwise, I would have been happy to give them a try.
Description of Work: Installing attic ventilation and insulation.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
value
3.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

ELLEN L.
09/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Todd made time to come over to my home to give a free estimate even though he was booked and extremely busy. I was very impressed with his professional attitude and general helpfulness. I plan to hire him in the future to insulate the existing walls of my home.
Description of Work: I asked Houle (Todd Trauba) for an insulation estimate for the upper story of my home. He was most helpful in explaining what he would do for insulation if it were his home. He also explained that he doesn't do that particular kind/method of insulating and gave me the name of someone who does do it.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

MARK B.
08/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
We were very impressed with the company, from our initial conversation through the finish of the project. They were quick, efficient, and very professional.
Description of Work: Houle did blown-in insulation on our first floor during our major remodeling project.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,500

KATHY N.
08/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
The team started early in the morning - 7:30! They worked efficiently and got the job done early. They cleaned up everything and were really courteous and professional about their work.
Description of Work: Insulating an old 1920's home - stucco. I was a little concerned about the age of the house and the holes that would be left from the hose ports. All the stucco was patched, shingles replaced and the guys actually walked me around the house to show me what they patched and asked if everything looked OK before they left for the day.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,000

LESLIE J.
06/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
I met him for an estimate in October, but he couldn't perform the work until March due to his backlog of jobs. It was worth the wait! The difference in climate control is amazing - in summer as well as winter. We talked about expanding his work force so he could accommodate more clients, but he knows quality control would be much harder, and he isn't willing to risk it. A real perfectionist, and a polite, very skilled crew. They even shoveled my front walk that day. Great guys. I can't comment on price competitiveness, since I didn't shop around.
Description of Work: Insulated the attic, sealed gaps.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,450

GINA K.
06/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Very good. They came recommended by both Angie's list and the Excel Energy Auditor that we called in. They are very busy and it took two months to get scheduled (which was fine with us). Todd's staff of four (+ Todd) did a very professional job -- all were very polite and conscientious about cleaning up afterwards, arrived on time - did what they said they would do when they said they would do it!
Description of Work: Sealed duct work and blew in insulation (into attic).

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,200

ANNE M.
06/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Todd arrived promptly for an estimate. We are in the midst of a renovation project and have opened up our walls. Todd immediately informed us that he insulates homes with walls intact. Nonetheless, he spent a good hour with us describing how we could handle the job ourselves. He took the time to write down which products we would need to do this, and did not charge us a penny for the consultation. Todd was extremely helpful and honest and gave us very useful information. He was very professional.
Description of Work: Todd came out for an estimate.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

MARK O.
06/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
The crew did an excellent job. They were friendly, efficient and well-behaved (no swearing, etc.) If I wasn't here to see it, I would not have known anything had happened, except that my sidewalk was nicely swept and a couple plants were squished in the line of fire (could not be helped, but the damage was minimal). The siding was removed and replaced without a problem or concern. They were in and out in about two or three hours. The insulation has made the house noticeably quieter (less street noise) and cooler in the affected rooms during the summer when the A/C is on. Looking forward to a warmer winter too. Company is popular on Angie's List and you may have to wait awhile for the actual work to be completed, although the estimate was completed quickly. Phone service was also helpful and polite too.
Description of Work: An Xcel infrared energy audit last winter showed I had drafty walls, especially where the first and second floors met. They recommended dense-pack cellulose insulation in some of my walls. Houle Insulation removed two rows of vinyl siding on three sides of my house, drilled multiple 3" holes, blew in the insulation and then closed up the holes and replaced the siding. Part of one side was the garage, which had a plaster side against the house. That part was drilled, filled and patched as well.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$985

JANNE F.
06/2006
2.0
insulation
  + -1 more
They were great. As we considered what insulation we had concerns. We were looking for information on off-gassing (of indoor air toxins common in wall insulation), and we were worried about moisture accumulating in the walls creating mold. They were really patient in explaining the issues and pointing us to additional resources. They were also gracious when we decided we wanted a portion of what they had bid on rather than the entire project, rather at the last minute. They were great working in our tenants' space, came precisely on time for both the bid and the installation, and predicted withing 10 minutes when they'd be done. It will be hard to say how well the insulation is working until winter, but I'm very happy working with them. Update: When I went to get insulation blown in the walls of my home a few years later, I learned from a home performance expert who brought their own verification tools with them, that Houle had not sealed the attic bypasses, nor had they filled knee walls. When I looked at the actual energy used to heat my home using an on-line energy tracking tool, I learned that I was not saving any energy compared to before, weather normalized. While I'm sure the firm can do good work, in this case they provided me with a very expensive, feel-good, non-insulating job.
Description of Work: Blew in cellulose insulation throughout attic and upper floor sidewalls to specified depth.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

$1,200

LIANE W.
06/2006
4.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Received quote on 12/20/2005, and received a call on 5/23/2006 to let me know that there was a last minute opening for installation the next day and the day after. Todd was early for appointments. The insulation work itself was of good quality, and they were able to complete project in one day. However, when I got home that evening, most of my wall hangings had been removed from the walls and left haphazardly; I wish they would have told me and I would have done it myself. There was no note or message to let me know whether the job had been completed or status. One piece of siding was damaged upon reinstallation, and I had to call Todd to have them come back and replace. While they did replace the siding the very next day, the piece that they installed does not match my original siding. They took off a basement storm window and did not replace it. While I do recommend them, my opinion is they need to exercise a little more care.
Description of Work: Cellulose insulation in attic. Removed siding and blew insulation into side walls, and then replaced siding.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
5.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,710

Response from Houle Insulation Inc
WE SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR THE MISCOMMUNICATION THAT HAPPENED ON YOUR JOB. THE WORK ON YOUR HOME WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE ONE DAY, IF IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN LONGER, WE WOULD HAVE NOTIFIED YOU. NORMALLY IF WE ARE INSULATING WALLS, WE TELL CUSTOMERS TO REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM THE OUTSIDE WALLS. IN YOUR CASE, TODD FORGOT TO MENTION THIS TO YOU AND YOU WERE NOT AT HOME WHEN THE CREW GOT THERE, SO WE REMOVED THE ITEMS FOR YOU AND LEFT THEM ON THE FLOOR BELOW WHERE THEY WERE HANGING. THE PIECE OF SIDING THAT WE WERE REPLACING WAS PRIMED AND READY TO PAINT, AND WE WOULD HAVE GLADLY PAINTED IT HAD YOU LEFT THE PAINT OUT FOR US AS PLANNED. THE STORM WINDOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT BACK IN PLACE, AND AGAIN OUR APOLOGIES.

GIA L.
05/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Todd re-worked his crew's schedule so that they could insulate my house two weeks before the exterior was scheduled to be painted. They were originally booked over a month out. His team was prompt, lightening-fast (only took half a day), and thorough. The patches for the holes had the same texture as the original stucco, but the paint didn't match (that was fine, since I told them the house was going to be painted anyway). However, after the job was completed, I found several cigarette butts lying around my yards, along with construction debris (wooden circles that were the drilled out holes in the walls) and, of course, cellulose. Since I have a toddler, I had to spend some time picking up the butts and construction debris. I suspect that Todd had to hire additional, unseasoned workers (i.e., teenagers?) in order to get this job done in the time frame I required, thus the lack of professionalism in some. Other than that, it was a pleasure to work with Houle Insulation.
Description of Work: Insulated outer walls, two storeys, with cellulose. Made holes in outer stucco walls and piped the stuff in. Patched the holes with stucco, and tried to match exterior paint.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
5.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,325

Response from Houle Insulation Inc
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING THE WORK DONE AT YOUR HOME. OUR CREW DID SPEND 8 HOURS COMPLETING YOUR JOB. WE DO NOT HIRE UNSEASONED WORKERS AND APOLOGIZE FOR ANY DEBRIS THAT WAS LEFT IN YOUR YARD. WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LEAVE A CLEAN JOB SITE, BUT SOMETIMES THINGS DO GET MISSED. HAD YOU CALLED, WE WOULD HAVE GLADLY COME BACK TO PICK UP ANY MISSED DEBRIS. THANKS AGAIN, YOUR FEEDBACK HELPS US TO DO A BETTER JOB!

DAVID R.
04/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Todd, the owner, is very helpful and has excellent customer service.
Description of Work: Insulated the walls of our house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
4.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

REBECCA M.
04/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Todd was on time for estimate visit, very knowledgeable about older homes' insulation needs, and very personable. His team arrived early on the scheduled date and work was performed quickly and professionally.
Description of Work: Insulation installed in attic and knee walls of 1.5 story house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,565

DOUGLAS W.
04/2006
5.0
insulation
  + -1 more
Professional and painless. I got the original quote back on November 22nd, 2005 and the work was done March 28th, 2006. No additional charges or mark-ups were needed. Todd's crew arrived in the afternoon and were finished by 5:30 that afternoon. I've got a hip-style roof (it slopes down on all sides) and have been in the attic myself years ago. It was a pain to work within then, and I can't imagine a more thankless, nasty job to do then this. I would not hesitate to use Todd & Co. again.
Description of Work: Insulated attic and sealed any/all air byways. They also installed baffles as needed for airflow from outside soffits over exterior wall plates and installed roof venting as needed for air flow. Price included all material and labor.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,950

Contact information

17241 Partridge St. N.W., Minneapolis, MN 55304

http://www.houleinsulation.com

Service hours

Sunday:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Licensing

Bonded

Insured

Licensed*

Trade License Number
IR652479
Trade License Locale
MN
Trade License Authority
Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry
Trade License Expiration
12/31/2021

Eco-friendly Accreditations

LEED Accredited Professional
No
Energy Star Partner
Yes
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Yes
Use Green Products or Work Practices
Yes
State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

*Contact business to see additional licenses.


Service Categories

Insulation,
Drywall,
Energy Efficiency Auditing,
Stucco,
Electrical,
Ironing,
Fireplaces,
Siding,
Heating and Air Conditioning,
Water & Smoke Damage

FAQ

Houle Insulation Inc is currently rated 4.9 overall out of 5.

Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Houle Insulation Inc accepts the following forms of payment: Check
Yes, Houle Insulation Inc offers free project estimates.
Yes, Houle Insulation Inc offers eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Houle Insulation Inc does not offer a senior discount.
No, Houle Insulation Inc does not offer emergency services.
Yes, Houle Insulation Inc offers warranties.
Houle Insulation Inc offers the following services: Insulation installation & removal.
blown fiberglass insulation

Contact information

17241 Partridge St. N.W., Minneapolis, MN 55304

http://www.houleinsulation.com

Service hours

Sunday:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM