When removal is the right call
Adding new insulation over contaminated material just seals the problem inside. If your attic has water-stained or matted insulation, rodent droppings and nesting, smoke or mold contamination, or storm and roof-leak damage, it needs to come out first. Removal also lets us inspect the deck, wiring, and ceiling plane before we re-insulate.
How we do it — under containment
Old material is vacuumed into sealed bags with a truck-mounted negative-pressure system, staged directly to our trailer, and taken to a licensed disposal facility. We protect your finished surfaces and HVAC returns, sanitize the attic, and leave a clean, dry deck ready for air sealing and new insulation.
Then we rebuild it right
Removal is step one. We air seal the ceiling plane, seal and insulate the ducts, install baffles, and blow or spray to the recommended R-49 to R-60 — so the new insulation actually performs.
Insulation costs in Southwest Florida
Installed pricing depends on square footage, target R-value, attic access, and whether old material has to come out first. Here is where installed pricing generally lands locally — and we itemize every quote so you can compare honestly.
| Material | Installed cost | R-value / inch | Service life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blown-in fiberglass | $1.10–$2.00/sq ft | R-2.2–R-2.7 | 20–30 yrs |
| Blown-in cellulose | $1.20–$2.40/sq ft | R-3.2–R-3.8 | 20–30 yrs |
| Fiberglass batts | $0.90–$2.10/sq ft | R-3.1–R-4.3 | 25+ yrs |
| Open-cell spray foam | $1.50–$3.20/sq ft | R-3.6–R-3.8 | 80+ yrs |
| Closed-cell spray foam | $2.40–$4.90/sq ft | R-6.0–R-7.0 | 80+ yrs |
| Insulation removal | $1.10–$2.90/sq ft | — | One-time |
Southwest Florida is IECC climate zone 2A. The recommended attic target here is R-49 to R-60 — roughly 15.5 to 19 inches of blown fiberglass at settled depth. If you can see your ceiling joists across the attic, you are well below that.
Frequently asked questions
How much does insulation removal cost in Cape Coral?
Removal runs about $1.10 to $2.90 per square foot, depending on material, depth, contamination, and access. Disposal is included in the quoted price, not added later.
Do I need to remove old insulation before adding new?
Not always — if the existing material is dry and clean, we can often add over it. But wet, matted, moldy, or rodent-damaged insulation should be removed and the attic sanitized first.
Do you handle rodent or storm-damaged attics?
Yes. We remove contaminated insulation under containment, sanitize, and prioritize emergency storm removal ahead of scheduled work.