There’s no denying that insulated homes offer many benefits to homeowners, landlords, and tenants alike. Insulation helps to keep homes warm during winter, resulting in cheaper heating bills.
Insulation work is something that is best left to a professional. You would think that only professionals offer such services; however, that isn’t always the case. Some people, unfortunately, end up with shoddy workmanship and incorrect insulation material.
If you want to avoid falling into the trap of engaging the services of a cowboy, this handy guide will tell you all you need to know about residential property insulation and how to choose the right insulation installers.
Cowboy Installations: How Big Is the Problem?
The ugly truth about cowboy insulation installers is they’re very much prevalent in the industry, just like how there are cowboy builders in the construction industry. But, how significant is the problem?
Take one recent example from Bridgend in Wales. A former local councillor ran an insulation company and, using £300,000 of grant funding from the local council, insulated 70 properties in the Caerau area.
In reality, what happened was the insulation work wasn’t conducted to a high standard and even caused damage in many cases. One homeowner has mould growing on the interior and outside of their exterior walls, even causing pebble dashing on the walls to turn black.
The former councillor’s insulation company has ceased trading, leaving homeowners to foot the bills for proper insulation and remedial repairs at their properties. Sadly, that’s just one of many examples of cowboy insulation installations across the UK.
The Importance of Correct Insulation
There are many different types of insulation available, the most common types being wall insulation, loft insulation and roof insulation. Other examples include foil insulation, cavity wall insulation and thermal insulation.
A professional insulation installer will know the correct types to use and which insulation materials will work best without causing problems like mould and damp. When done correctly, property insulation can help homeowners and landlords achieve benefits like:
- Increased warmth during cold spells;
- Lower heating bills; and
- Reduced carbon emissions.
How to Choose a Reputable Installer
When you engage the services of a reputable installer, you can expect to receive a high standard of workmanship and that such professionals will only use high-quality materials suitable for your property.
They should also keep all disruption to your property to a minimum and clear up any mess they make. With that in mind, how else can you ensure the insulation installer you choose is a reputable one? Here are some top tips:
Ask About PAS 2030 Approval
PAS 2030 is a quality standard set by the government that ensures insulation installers carry out their work correctly. Installers with PAS 2030 approval will often have their work checked by third parties like certification and compliance bodies and the manufacturers of insulation materials.
Get a Detailed Quote
Always get a detailed quote from each potential insulation installer that you contact. That way, you can be sure there won’t be any hidden surprises like unexpected fees.
Never Pay in Full Upfront
Lastly, you should never pay for any insulation work in full upfront. Reputable installers should only accept payment upon satisfactory completion of the work carried out.
