Attic Insulation charge question

jimjangles · 01-06-2026 10:27AM #1

I wanted to get attic insulation.

I have a bungalow with about 4 bedrooms.

The problem is even after grant its going to cost over 6200 euro.

They were charging an extra 2000 for ventilation installation as my roof has no vents.

It was my first quote.

Am I being overcharged or is that standard?

It is so difficilt when I ring around, no builders want to do attic insulation.

Theyre always uninterested and say I'll have to wait months to a year or never. Anyone I ring up doesnt want my business. I hate trying to deal with frigging builders or whatever they are.

sydthebeat · 01-06-2026 10:36AM

Assuming your house is about 160 sqm and there's no insulation there currently, the insulation will cost you about €2000 for around 35 rolls of 150mm deep earthwool.

You could roll it out yourself or pay a someone willing. It doesn't necessarily have to be an actual builder.

As for the ventilation, can you post a photo of the underside of the eaves, and one of the the end of the house?

There may be a very cheap solution

jimjangles · 01-06-2026 10:39AM

I dont want to do it myself, Id be afraid Id fall through the attic and wouldnt have a clue. Am I being overcharged?

sydthebeat · 01-06-2026 10:50AM

The only way to answer that question is to get at least 3 quotes and compare.

When seai contractors give quotes for attic insulation, they often include lots of other work such as:

Draught sealing the attic hatch

Removal of old compressed insulation

Insulating water pipes in the attic

Insulating the water tanks

Creating a walkway from the hatch to the cold water storage tank

If your going down the Grant route it should be easy enough to get seai contractors to call out and give you a price.

Are you going through all the registered contractors on their list in your area?

jimjangles · 01-06-2026 11:02AM

Yes I think I must have gone through about 10 of them.

Most of them said they werent doing it anymore, others said I'd have to wait 6 months. One said Id have to wait over a year.

The last one I rang said I'd have to wait 2 months and he'd call me back but I honestly would doubt he'd ever call back.

It's been a nightmare and a disaster and extremely frustrating trying to find someone to do it. These SEAI contractors sound like they dont want to work. I couldnt have been met with less enthusiasm. I asked Google AI and it said Im being ripped off by over 2k so I dont know.

drunkmonkey · 01-06-2026 11:43AM

you won’t fall through the ceiling if you walk on the rafters, it’s a diy job. Maybe hire a carpenter/roofer for a day to get the ventilation sorted, a roofer is really what you want not a building company. They may put in vented tiles around the roof and maybe some vents around the facia it’s a day job.

Dublin Calling · 01-06-2026 11:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124515992#Comment_124515992

Just make sure they take into account where you might was solar panels, when they install the vents. An SEAI grant with an approved contractor can add to the cost, for the likes of attic insulation it maybe cheaper to forgo the grant.

Rock Steady Edy · 01-06-2026 02:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124515821#Comment_124515821

Yes, I would say so. If you create an unnecessary overwhelming sense of urgency to get this job done asap, you are much more likely to regret it when the job is done.

Keep your ears open during the summer for someone who might want the job, and certainly get a couple more quotes. Working in a hot loft in the summer is not going to be pleasant for anyone, but don't get taken for ride.

Attic Insulation charge question

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