Division 07 · Thermal Insulation
Insulation estimates in the units installers buy: bags, board feet and square feet by R-value
An insulation bid built on square feet alone will miss the job. Batt is sold by the bag covering a fixed area at one R-value and one framing spacing, blown-in by bags per thousand square feet at a settled depth, and spray foam by board feet that change with every inch of thickness. Our insulation estimators quantify each assembly from the wall sections and energy compliance forms, convert to the units your supplier invoices, and check the result against the IECC climate zone requirement before the number goes out.
- 5.0 Google
- 4.9 Trustpilot
- 4.9 Clutch
Scope we take off
12 items- Wall batt insulationSF / BAGS
- Blown-in attic insulationSF / BAGS
- Dense-pack and netted wallsSF / BAGS
- Open-cell spray foamBF
- Closed-cell spray foamBF
- Rigid board insulationSF
Scope of takeoff
Insulation quantities we take off
Measured by assembly from wall sections, roof plans and the energy compliance report, then converted to bags, sets and boards.
- 01
Wall batt insulationSF / BAGS
Fiberglass and mineral wool batts by R-value, faced or unfaced, for 16 and 24-inch framing
Net wall area by wall type with bag coverage per R-value
- 02
Blown-in attic insulationSF / BAGS
Loose-fill fiberglass and cellulose by settled depth and R-value, with baffles, dams and rulers
Flat ceiling area from roof plan with bags per 1,000 SF from the manufacturer chart
- 03
Dense-pack and netted wallsSF / BAGS
Dense-pack cellulose or fiberglass behind netting in walls and sloped ceilings
Cavity volume by framing depth and density
- 04
Open-cell spray foamBF
Low-density SPF in walls, rooflines and rim joists by inch of depth
Area times specified thickness, sets by yield
- 05
Closed-cell spray foamBF
Medium-density SPF at crawlspaces, rim joists, roof decks and hybrid flash-and-batt by inch of depth
Area times thickness with ignition barrier noted
- 06
Rigid board insulationSF
Polyiso, XPS and EPS at foundation walls, slab edge, under-slab and continuous exterior by thickness
Perimeter and area from foundation and wall sections
- 07
Mineral wool continuous insulationSF
Semi-rigid mineral wool boards behind rainscreen and masonry veneer with clips and fasteners
Gross wall area by cladding type
- 08
Floor, band joist and knee wallSF / LF
Batt or foam at floors over garages and crawlspaces, rim joists and attic knee walls
Floor framing plan and section callouts
- 09
Vapor retarders and air sealingSF / LS
Polyethylene, kraft facing and smart vapor retarders by class, with caulk, foam and gasket air sealing
Assembly requirements by climate zone
- 10
Pipe insulationLF
Fiberglass and elastomeric pipe insulation by diameter and thickness with jacketing and fittings
Plumbing and hydronic piping schedules
- 11
Duct insulationSF
Duct wrap, liner and board by thickness and R-value with vapor barrier facing
Duct surface area from the HVAC takeoff
- 12
Labor by product and phaseHRS
Hours by product and access, split between pre-drywall, attic and retrofit conditions
Productivity by product and condition
Overview
How an insulation estimate is put together
Insulation is quantified by assembly, because the same square foot of wall can call for three different products. Exterior walls are measured net of openings by wall type from the elevations and wall sections, with the cavity depth and framing spacing determining whether R-13, R-15, R-21 or R-23 batt fits and how many square feet a bag covers. Ceilings and attics are measured flat from the roof plan with blown fiberglass or cellulose quantified in bags per thousand square feet at the depth required for the specified R-value, after settling. Floors over unconditioned space, band joists and knee walls each get their own line.
Spray polyurethane foam is priced in board feet, which is one square foot at one inch of thickness, so a 2x6 wall sprayed with 3 inches of closed cell carries three board feet per square foot while the same wall flash-and-batt at 1 inch carries one. Open cell and closed cell are kept on separate lines because the yield per set, the cost per board foot and the R-value per inch all differ, and we note where the code or the assembly requires an ignition or thermal barrier over the foam. Rigid board and mineral wool continuous insulation are measured by thickness with fasteners, tape and furring.
The estimate is then checked against the energy code. We identify the IECC edition and climate zone the permit is issued under and compare each assembly's R-value, or the U-factor on the REScheck or COMcheck report, against the prescriptive table, flagging any wall, ceiling or slab edge that falls short. Vapor retarders are quantified by class and location since a Class I polyethylene sheet in a cold climate and a smart retarder in a mixed climate carry different costs. Mechanical insulation for pipe and duct is measured by diameter and thickness from the plumbing and HVAC specifications when the insulation contractor carries it, and labor is estimated by product, access and whether the work is pre-drywall or retrofit.
Process
How our estimating process works
Four steps from upload to a bid-ready estimate, with a senior estimator signing off before anything leaves our desk.
- 1
Upload plans and scope
Send your drawings, specifications and bid invitation through the secure upload form. We confirm scope, deadline and a fixed price within two business hours.
- 2
Digital quantity takeoff
Estimators measure every item from calibrated plans in Bluebeam and PlanSwift, color-coding each layer so quantities can be traced back to the drawing.
- 3
Pricing and labor
Quantities are priced with location-adjusted material costs, crew productivity rates and equipment, then marked up to your overhead and profit targets.
- 4
Senior review and delivery
A second estimator audits quantities and pricing, documents assumptions and exclusions, and delivers your Excel workbook, PDF summary and marked-up plans.
Estimate types
What type of insulation estimating can you get?
Match the estimate to where your project is. Every option is priced as a flat fee before work begins.
- 01
Production housing insulation package
Per-plan quantities of batt, blown and foam by R-value converted to bags and sets, with option pricing for upgraded assemblies across a community.
Best for Production and semi-custom home builders
Precision±4%Turnaround24 hours - 02
Commercial thermal insulation bid
Continuous insulation, cavity batt, roof deck insulation and interior sound batts from wall types and sections, priced with fasteners, clips and furring.
Best for Insulation subcontractors on commercial work
Precision±5%Turnaround48 hours - 03
Spray foam estimate
Open and closed cell board feet by assembly and thickness, sets by yield, ignition and thermal barriers, and masking and ventilation for occupied or retrofit work.
Best for SPF applicators
Precision±5%Turnaround24 hours - 04
Mechanical insulation estimate
Pipe insulation by diameter and thickness, duct wrap and liner by square foot, jacketing and fittings from the plumbing and HVAC specifications.
Best for Mechanical insulation contractors
Precision±6%Turnaround48 hours - 05
Energy code compliance budget
Assembly R-values checked against the IECC climate zone with alternates priced to close gaps, for design teams and builders before permit.
Best for Architects, energy raters and design-build teams
Precision±8%Turnaround24–48 hours
On site and on the drawings
The work behind every insulation estimating
Tap any image to open it full screen.
98%
takeoff accuracy on awarded projects
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
Quantities converted to bags, sets and boards using manufacturer coverage charts, not left as square feet for you to translate.
Batt listed by R-value and framing spacing, so the supplier delivers product that actually fits the cavity.
Spray foam in board feet with open and closed cell separated, and ignition or thermal barrier requirements flagged per space.
Blown attic insulation quantified at settled depth with baffles, rulers and dams counted from the roof plan.
Every assembly checked against the IECC edition, and climate zone on the permit, with shortfalls flagged before bid.
Vapor retarders and air sealing carried as, their own lines because inspectors look for them and crews forget them.
Deliverables
What's included in your estimate package
Every deliverable is formatted so it can go straight into a proposal, a purchase order or an owner report.
- XLSX
Estimate workbook
Quantities, unit costs, labor hours and totals organized by CSI division, with subtotals, markups and a bid summary tab.
- PDF
Marked-up plans
Color-coded takeoff drawings showing exactly where every measured quantity came from.
- XLSX
Material procurement list
Consolidated material quantities with waste factors applied, ready to send to suppliers for quotes.
- XLSX
Labor hours by task
Crew-based labor hours and productivity rates so you can check the schedule against the estimate.
- PDF
Assumptions and exclusions log
Every clarification, allowance and exclusion documented so your proposal scope is defensible.
- PDF
Bid summary sheet
A proposal-ready one-page summary with overhead, profit, bonds and contingency applied.
Nationwide coverage
Local pricing in every US market
We adjust labor, material and equipment to the project zip code and account for the code, climate and logistics that drive cost in each region.
Union labor markets, dense urban logistics and strict code review priced in.
CTMEMANHNJNYPA+2Weather-dependent schedules and regional material supply reflected in every line.
ILINIAKSMIMNMO+5Fast-growth metros where subcontractor capacity, not material, drives price.
ALARDEFLGAKYLA+9Seismic detailing, energy codes and the highest labor rates in the country.
AKAZCACOHIIDMT+6FAQ
Insulation Estimating FAQs
Straight answers on scope, turnaround, pricing and deliverables.
How do you convert insulation square footage into bags?
Each batt product covers a fixed number of square feet per bag that depends on the R-value, thickness and framing spacing, and each blown product has a manufacturer chart listing bags per thousand square feet at the depth for a given R-value. We apply the chart for the specified or assumed product, round to whole bags per assembly, and show square feet and bags side by side so you can swap brands.
How is spray foam measured and priced?
In board feet: square feet of surface multiplied by inches of thickness. We list open cell and closed cell on separate lines because the yield per set, the cost per board foot and the R-value per inch all differ, then convert board feet to sets using the yield for the product and expected substrate temperature. Ignition barriers, thermal barriers and masking are carried where the assembly requires them.
Do you check the insulation against the energy code?
Yes. We identify the IECC edition and climate zone for the jurisdiction, compare each assembly's R-value or the U-factor on the REScheck or COMcheck report against the prescriptive table, and flag any wall, ceiling, floor or slab edge that falls short. When a shortfall appears we price an alternate that closes the gap so the builder or design team can decide before the permit is pulled.
Can you price insulation for a whole community from a set of plans?
Yes. We take off each plan and elevation once, build per-plan bag, set and board counts by R-value, and apply them across the lot mix so you get a price per plan and a community total. Upgrade options such as closed-cell roofline foam or R-23 mineral wool walls are priced as alternates per plan.
Is pipe and duct insulation part of the estimate?
When your scope includes mechanical insulation, we measure pipe insulation by diameter and thickness from the plumbing and hydronic schedules and duct wrap, liner and board by square foot of duct surface from the HVAC takeoff, with jacketing, fitting covers and vapor barrier facing. It is delivered on its own tab so you can bid it with the thermal package or separately.
When will I have the insulation numbers?
Single-family plans are typically returned within 24 hours, and a community of six to ten plans within 48 hours. Commercial continuous insulation and mechanical insulation packages are usually delivered in 48 hours, with larger or phased projects scheduled when you send the set. Retrofit attic and crawlspace pricing from photos and measurements is often same day.
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Ready for a insulation estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.