True Cost Guide Insulation Remove Insulation

How Much Does Attic Insulation Removal Cost in 2025?

Typical Range:

$1,600 - $3,600

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated November 24, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

Attic insulation removal costs between $1,600 and $3,600 for a typical attic sized 1,600 to 1,800 square feet.
It generally costs between $1 and $2 per square foot to remove attic insulation.
Some types of insulation, such as spray-in, are less expensive to remove, reducing insulation removal costs.
Insulation removal professionals usually charge between $35 and $85 per hour.
Replacing attic insulation can increase home value by 2% to 6%, especially if you replace it with a more energy-efficient material.

The cost to remove insulation ranges from $1,600 to $3,600 for a typical 1,600 to 1,800-square-foot attic, with an average cost of $2,600. This cost doesn’t include related expenses like insulation disposal or new insulation installation. Once you remove old insulation, you'll want to install new insulation as soon as possible.

Average Attic Insulation Removal Cost

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$2,600	$3,600	$1,600

Find Local Attic Insulation Removal Pros

Attic Insulation Removal Cost Factors

Some of the factors that influence the cost to remove old insulation from an attic include the size of the attic and the type of insulation.

Size

Size is one of the biggest factors that affect the cost of removing insulation. It costs $1 to $2 per square foot to remove attic insulation, which means that your insulation cost will increase for a larger attic. It’s a good idea to get an insulation removal quote from a local insulation contractor who will consider your attic’s size.

Type of Insulation

Some types of insulation are easier to remove than others. For example, batt and roll insulation costs more to remove than blown-in insulation because it needs to be removed by hand instead of with a vacuum. Other common types of insulation include spray foam insulation, radiant insulation, and rigid insulation.

Cost to Remove Insulation With Asbestos

The cost to remove insulation that contains asbestos can cost anywhere from $10 to $25 per square foot or $1,000 to $11,000 for the entire attic. Vermiculite insulation often contains asbestos. If you’re not sure whether or not you need to remove insulation due to asbestos, get in touch with an inspector to determine if removal is necessary. Asbestos is only dangerous when it’s airborne, so encapsulating asbestos is sometimes a more affordable option.

Insulation Removal Cost by Square Foot

It costs between $1 and $2 per square foot to remove insulation. For example, if you have a 600-square-foot attic, you’ll pay an average of $900 for the cost to remove the insulation.

Attic Size (Square Feet)	Average Cost
500	$500–$1,000
600	$600–$1,200
800	$800–$1,600
1,000	$1,000–$2,000
1,500	$1,500–$3,000
2,000	$2,000–$4,000

New Insulation Cost

Naturally, it costs more to replace attic insulation than it does to simply remove it. On average, removing and replacing insulation in an attic with no damage or contamination costs between $3,200 and $10,800, but this amount can vary depending on the size of the space and the type of insulation you choose—blown-in insulation costs more than batt and roll, for instance. Different insulation materials each have unique advantages and price points to consider.

Insulation Type	Description	Average Cost per Sq. Ft.
Batt and Roll	Inexpensive and easy to install, made from fiberglass, cotton, mineral wool, or plastic	$0.65–$2
Blown-In	Recycled cellulose, fiberglass, or rock wool material that’s blown into the space with a machine.	$1.65–$3.80
Foam Board	Thin but efficient rigid foam used to insulate home exteriors, unfinished walls, or basement floor	$2.40–$3.75
Spray Foam	Liquid, expanding polyurethane sprayed into hard-to-reach spaces	$3.15–$7.50

Labor

Labor is a key factor to consider when setting a budget for attic insulation costs. The price of labor will vary depending on your attic’s size and condition, as well as the type of insulation being removed—while blown-in insulation can simply be vacuumed up; for example, spray foam insulation costs more to remove. In general, expect to pay a pro between $35 and $85 per hour to remove insulation from your attic.

Accessibility

If the areas that need insulation removal are small or hard to access with insulation removal equipment, it can lead to a longer project time, driving up labor costs. This is especially true if your insulation removal experts end up needing to remove insulation by hand.

Disposal

Disposal is usually included in the total cost to remove attic insulation, but this can change if your old insulation is hazardous—such as if it contains asbestos, mold, or has been infested with pests. Depending on the nature of your old insulation, safe disposal could cost as much as $25 per square foot.

Attic Condition

In general, an attic in worse overall condition will cost more to have its insulation removed. You’ll pay more for insulation removal if your attic’s structure or insulation has been damaged by rot, water, mold, or pests.

Does Replacing Attic Insulation Increase Home Value?

Attic insulation can definitely increase your home value. For one thing, removing hazardous materials such as asbestos will help you sell your home more easily, while the added energy efficiency of new insulation is a great selling point. On top of all of this, some reports say that new insulation in the attic and other areas can translate to a 2% to 6% increase in overall home value, with more ROI for more energy-efficient insulation.

Budgeting for Attic Insulation Removal

Removing old insulation from your attic can become an expensive project, but there are a few cost-saving strategies to help make it more affordable. These include:

Look into energy-efficiency rebates and incentives from the federal, state, and local governments to help offset the costs of replacing outdated, inefficient insulation.
Ask your insulation expert if you can remove and replace only some of your insulation rather than all of it.
Find out if you can simply add new insulation on top of existing insulation and avoid removal altogether.
If possible, opt for more inexpensive insulation types for replacement.
Clear your attic of junk, debris, and any belongings before calling a professional to reduce the labor hours needed to prepare the space for insulation removal.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.

Still Have Questions About Attic Insulation Removal?

Frequently Asked Questions

Should old insulation be removed?

Whether or not you need to remove your insulation depends on several factors, including if you’ve had animal damage, water damage, or other issues. For instance, if your insulation is full of rat droppings or mold, you should definitely get it replaced. On the other hand, you don’t necessarily have to replace insulation just because it’s old. However, if any gaps have formed, you may need to install more insulation.

How long does attic insulation last?

Attic insulation can last 80 to 100 years for the most part. However, some pros prefer to replace insulation every 15 years because it can become less effective with age. For example, fiberglass can get dirty, wet, covered in mold, or fall from batts over time. Ask your home inspector if it’s time to replace your attic insulation.

Do I have too much attic insulation?

While under-insulation is a much more common problem than over-insulation, it’s still possible to have too much insulation in your attic. Since insulation helps retain heat and cut down on energy costs, there’s a point where adding additional insulation won’t make any difference for these goals. The exact amount of insulation you need will depend on your region’s climate.

What does R-value mean?

R-value measures the rate of heat transfer in your home. The higher the insulation’s R-value, the better it insulates your home and the more heat it contains during cooler winter months. With the right R-value, you’ll save more on heating and cooling, but insulation’s R-value sometimes degrades over time. The R-value needed for your home depends on where you live and where you’re installing the insulation.

What are some common types of insulation damage?

Common types of insulation damage include mold, animal infestations, water damage and mold, and electrical damage. In any of these cases, it’s important to get your insulation removed and replaced right away. Not only does damaged insulation mean that your energy bills may go up, but insulation laced with dangerous substances can be damaging to your health.