Insulation: what bids leave out
Insulation shows up in four or five different bids, so it's easy for pieces to fall through. One insulation bidder carries exterior wall batts, sound batts in the partitions, the vapor retarder and spray foam at the rim joists. Another prices exterior walls only and assumes the roofer, the drywall sub and the concrete sub carry everything else. Map every insulated surface to exactly one bid before you compare.
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Standard scope checklist
Send this to every bidder and ask them to mark each line Included, Excluded or give an Add $. Silence is not inclusion.
Sending it out? Use the free scope letter template to ask every bidder for line-item scope, inclusions, exclusions and alternates. Terms to know: exclusion.
| # | Scope item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Insulated areas included (match the wall types, roof plan and sections) |
| 2 | Exterior wall insulation: type, thickness and R-value per drawings |
| 3 | Sound attenuation batts in interior partitions (insulation or drywall sub) |
| 4 | Above-ceiling or attic insulation (if in scope) |
| 5 | Roof insulation (insulation sub or roofer) |
| 6 | Below-slab and slab-edge perimeter insulation (insulation or concrete sub) |
| 7 | Foundation wall insulation |
| 8 | Continuous exterior insulation behind cladding (insulation, framing or cladding sub) |
| 9 | Spray foam: open or closed cell, locations and thickness |
| 10 | Thermal or ignition barrier over foam plastics where required (confirm with your design team/AHJ) |
| 11 | Vapor retarder: type and locations |
| 12 | Air barrier membrane, tapes and transitions (if in scope) |
| 13 | Sealing around windows, doors and penetrations |
| 14 | Firestopping and fire safing at rated walls and floor edges (often a separate sub) |
| 15 | Duct and pipe insulation (usually mechanical and plumbing subs) |
| 16 | Insulation baffles and ventilation chutes where needed |
| 17 | Energy code inspection or third-party testing (confirm with your design team/AHJ) |
| 18 | Removal of existing or damaged insulation on TI work |
| 19 | Phased installation around rough-in inspections |
| 20 | Lifts and access equipment |
| 21 | Cleanup and haul-off of scraps |
| 22 | Sales tax, bond and prevailing wage |
Common exclusions and how they are worded
| Exclusion | Typical wording | Why it matters | Typical cost to cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound batts in partitions |
| Sound batts are often drawn in partition types, not called out on the plan. If the insulation and drywall bids both assume the other, offices and restrooms end up without them. | TBD |
| Roof insulation |
| On low-slope roofs, the insulation board is usually part of the roofing assembly. Make sure the roofing bid carries the full thickness shown, not just the membrane. | TBD |
| Below-slab & perimeter insulation |
| Rigid board under the slab or at the slab edge has to go in before the pour. If nobody carries it, it's gone for good once the concrete is placed. | TBD |
| Air & vapor barriers |
| Air barriers, vapor retarders and their taped joints are often split between insulation, framing and cladding bids. Check the wall sections and assign each layer. | TBD |
| Firestopping & safing |
| Firestopping at penetrations and safing at slab edges is a specialty scope that often has its own bid. Confirm one bid carries it, and that it matches the listed systems your design team selects. | TBD |
| Thermal barrier over foam |
| Exposed spray foam may need a covering or coating, depending on where it is. Confirm with your design team/AHJ, then make sure every foam bid prices the same thing. | TBD |
| Continuous exterior insulation |
| Board insulation behind siding, panels or masonry can fall between framing, insulation and cladding bids. It also drives the fastener and clip cost. | TBD |
| Testing & inspection |
| Some projects need air leakage testing or insulation inspections before cover-up. Ask your design team/AHJ what's required and who pays for it. | TBD |
| Existing conditions |
| On TI work, old or wet insulation may need to come out first, and closed walls cost more to insulate. Ask what each bid assumes. | TBD |
“Typical cost to cover” is TBD. We will publish ranges only once we have real, sourced data. Until then, use your own estimate or a confirmed add price from a bidder.
Questions to ask bidders
- Which wall types, roof areas and slab areas does your price cover? Can you mark them on the drawings?
- Are sound batts in interior partitions included, or are they in the drywall bid?
- Is roof insulation in your scope or the roofer's?
- Who carries below-slab and perimeter insulation, and will it be in before the pour?
- Are the air barrier, vapor retarder and all tapes and transitions included?
- Is firestopping and safing in your price, or in a separate bid?
- If you're spraying foam, is any required thermal or ignition barrier included?
- Is any testing or inspection included, and what does your price assume about existing conditions?
Bid-ready insulation contractors
Contractors who agree to price against the standard checklist above, with exclusions spelled out line by line. Listings are not live yet.
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist