Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Basement Insulation
Basement Insulation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Basement Insulation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Basement Insulation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Basement Insulation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Basement Insulation labor cost? What are the important Basement Insulation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Basement Insulation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Basement Insulation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Basement Insulation expect to pay between $0.43 to $0.67 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Basement Insulation work? | Your Basement Insulation project may require design approval and/or permits from your local building authority. Verify requirements with your local building department before any Basement Insulation work starts, particularly for ay structural or systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) projects. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Basement Insulation work? | The operation and performance of the basement wall insulation may be adversely affected by inexperience or poor installation techniques. Hire service providers for Basement Insulation carefully and be sure to tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (from the list below). |
| Is Basement Insulation something that I can do myself? | The typical Basement Insulation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Basement Insulation requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Basement Insulation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Basement Insulation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Basement Insulation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Basement Insulation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Basement Insulation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- Apply a uniform thickness of basement wall insulation, with no voids or gaps at openings
- Stagger basement wall insulation joint ends in adjacent courses in a (choose one): __uniform ___random pattern, with no joint ends in adjacent courses closer than 1/4 the typical basement wall insulation length
- There will be no gap of more than 1/16 inch wide where the rigid wall insulation meets adjacent surfaces; a gap (in no cases wider that 1/16 inch) can be hidden by: __scribing __a smooth bead of caulk __ appropriately finished molding
- All holes, cuts and notches necessary to complete the work will be no larger than 25% of the object routed through the opening; cuts will be clean and uniform; all framing holes, notches and modifications will fully comply with local code guidelines
Basement Insulation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Basement Insulation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the basement wall insulation work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Determine if permit is required for Basement Insulation by local building authority, before any work begins
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve floor plan(s), elevation(s), and section / detail drawings
- Review material choices for Basement Insulation with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of basement wall insulation, before any work begins
- Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
- Install basement wall insulation using manufacturer approved construction adhesive, in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
- Install insulation panel using manufacturer specified materials and methods
- Install rigid wall insulation to fit closely around fixtures and fittings
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
- Inspect Basement Insulation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
