Document the starting condition of each area
Measure each attic, wall or crawl space area separately and record the existing material type and depth. Note access hatches, recessed lights, ducts, bath fans and any signs of moisture or pests.
State the target R-value for each area and check it against the recommendations and local code that apply to the property. Do not promise a specific utility-bill saving; outcomes depend on the home and how it is used.
- Areas: square footage and existing depth or type.
- Target: material and R-value per area.
- Prep: air sealing, baffles, dams and fixture covers.
Copyable estimate template
Start with your legal or trade name, business contact details, customer name, job address, estimate number, issue date and validity period. Add the scope below, replacing the bracketed fields with your site measurements and supplier quotes. This is a written example you can copy into your own estimate, not a submitted quote or a promised software import.
For each charge, show quantity, unit, unit price and line total. Group fixed-price work separately from allowances and optional upgrades. Finish with the subtotal, applicable tax, total, payment terms, anticipated schedule, exclusions and how the customer can accept. Verify contract, tax, licensing and deposit requirements in your jurisdiction before using it.
| Line item | Quantity or specification | Scope to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Air sealing | [Locations / method] | Top plates, penetrations and hatch |
| Removal | [Area / material] | Old insulation, debris and disposal |
| Insulation product | [Type / target R-value] | Coverage per area and installed depth |
| Ventilation details | [Baffles / dams] | Keep soffit vents clear |
| Access and protection | [Hatch / living areas] | Protection, cleanup and access improvements |
| Documentation | [Depth markers / certificate] | Handover record of what was installed |
Worked scope example: topping up an attic with problem spots
Imagine a hypothetical attic with thin, uneven loose fill and several open penetrations above the bathroom. Separate the air sealing from the added insulation so the customer sees the prep work rather than a single combined figure.
If part of the attic has wet or contaminated material, list its removal as its own line with an approval step. This shows how to structure the quote; it does not set prices or performance results.
Calculate the selling price from your own costs
Build the job cost from loaded labor, materials and subcontractor quotes, equipment, disposal and an allocated share of overhead. Loaded labor includes the cost of employing the crew, not only the hourly wage. Allow time for setup, travel, collection of materials and cleanup. Avoid adding the same overhead or contingency twice.
If your cost includes overhead and your target margin on the selling price is 20%, divide cost by 0.80. A hypothetical $2,000 cost would sell for $2,500 before applicable tax, leaving $500 at that margin. A 20% markup would instead sell for $2,400 and produce a lower margin. These figures illustrate arithmetic, not local rates or a recommended profit target.
Check actual time and supplier costs against the estimate after the job. Keep separate benchmarks for easy-access work and labor-intensive conditions; a single unit price can hide very different production times. Use the job-cost and markup-versus-margin calculators linked below to check your assumptions.
Check for hazards before disturbing material
Some older homes contain vermiculite insulation that may contain asbestos. Do not disturb suspected material; follow applicable guidance and testing before quoting removal.
Keep clearance around heat-producing fixtures and flues according to the manufacturer and code requirements, and note anything you will not cover.
From accepted estimate to scheduled job and invoice
Keep the inquiry, property details, estimate version and follow-up notes together. Agree the scope and payment terms before booking the work. When something changes, record the revised scope and price and obtain the customer's agreement before proceeding; do not quietly add work to the original total.
SimpliPilot brings CRM, branded estimates, invoices and scheduling together on every plan. Use those tools to organize the customer and job rather than treating this worksheet as a technical design or contract. Grow and Scale add time clock, time entries and team time tracking; those tools do not process payroll. Check the current pricing page for plan permissions and limits.
Insulation estimate questions
Should the quote state R-value? Yes. Naming the target R-value and installed depth per area is clearer than a bag count alone.
Can you promise energy savings? Avoid percentage promises. Describe the work and the target, and explain that results vary by home.
References and further reading
These sources provide background. Check current local requirements and product instructions for your own work. Example figures in this guide are illustrative, not market rates.