The average cost to remove and replace attic insulation runs between $2–$6 per sq ft ($2,000–$6,000 for 1,000 sq ft). However, this is a combined market norm, think removal $1–$2 and replacement $1–$3.
In special cases like high humid-season demand, tight access, soaked/moldy material, or pest cleanup, totals can reach ~$8 per sq ft or higher. Technically, price moves with access/headroom/pitch, material type (batts, cellulose, foam), contamination level (HEPA containment, negative air, cleanout/cleaning), and bagging/disposal fees.
Add-ons like basic air sealing, hatch/baffles, or minor duct fixes adjust scope.
Attic Insulation Removal Cost: A Detailed Line-Item Breakdown for South Florida
Removal — what’s actually in the number
For South Florida’s hot-humid market (IECC 1A–2A), baseline attic insulation removal cost runs $1–$2 per sq ft. That price typically includes: site protection, HEPA containment/filtration, negative-air during pull-out, crew labor, bagging, and disposal/landfill fees.
But it rises when removing insulation from attic spaces with;
- soaked or moldy material,
- rodent debris,
- difficult access (low headroom, long hose runs, steep pitches).
Those conditions drive more containment time, more bag volume, and slower production. Also, there should be a pre-check for asbestos/vermiculite before disturbance. If it exists, abatement is a separate scope.
Since when it comes to getting a transparent quote for attic insulation removal, most quotes hide disposal. Ask for bag count or cubic-yard estimate and how tipping is billed. Also the homeowners should request the setup/containment hours so they can compare apples to apples across insulation companies.
Replacement — material + install (replacing insulation in attic)
The cost to replace attic insulation (material + install) is $1–$3 per sq ft in typical South Florida conditions. Replacement should be sized to Florida Building Code–Energy targets (R-38 to R-49), and usually includes basic air sealing, attic-hatch insulation/weatherstrip, baffles at eaves, and safe treatment around IC-rated recessed lights.
Fiberglass and cellulose stay squarely in that range; spray foam is a different system and is often priced outside the $1–$3/sq-ft “replacement” bucket.
For budget users, a phased plan (remove → dry-out → replace within days) keeps you in the $2–$6 per sq ft combined norm while avoiding moisture traps. Splitting the job across weeks can add an extra mobilization/minimum charge.
Add-ons — cleanouts & moisture control (when the job isn’t just dusty)
Line items beyond removal/replacement are scoped after inspection, for example, attic cleanouts (debris/odor), antimicrobial cleaning, targeted dehumidification/moisture removal systems, minor duct sweat fixes, and bath-fan vent corrections.
Use them when RH is persistently high, there’s a musty odor, or wind-driven rain previously soaked the deck.
Keep the “combined” math straight:
- Market norm (combined removal + replacement): $2–$6 per sq ft (e.g., 1,000 sq ft ≈ $2,000–$6,000).
- Edge cases (can approach ~$8/sq ft or even higher): severe contamination (mold/rodents), tight/steep access, negative-air running all day, heavy cleanout/cleaning, high debris volume, or peak-season demand.
What Drives Average Cost to Remove and Replace Attic Insulation Price Up or Down
Material Type, Attic Size & Removal Difficulty
In South Florida’s hot-humid (IECC 1A–2A) climate, the attic insulation removal and replacement cost is shaped first by what you’re pulling out, then by how big/tight the attic is.
Smaller attics (or lots of split/low-headroom bays) tend to land toward the top of the range because setup/containment overhead doesn’t scale; larger, open attics trend toward the bottom of the range.
| Existing Material to Remove | Removal Difficulty (Why) | Typical Removal ($/sq ft) | Typical Replacement ($/sq ft) | Combined Remove + Replace ($/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass batts | Low–Medium — light, easy bagging | $1.00–$1.50 | $1.25–$2.00 | $2.25–$3.50 |
| Blown-in fiberglass | Medium–High — vacuum, very dusty; HEPA/negative air | $1.25–$1.75 | $1.25–$2.25 | $2.50–$4.00 |
| Cellulose | Medium–Higher — holds moisture; heavier bags | $1.25–$2.00 | $1.25–$2.25 | $2.75–$4.25 |
| Mineral wool (batts) | Medium — dense; higher bag volume | $1.25–$2.00 | $1.50–$2.50 | $2.75–$4.50 |
| Spray foam (oc/cc → switching to fib/cell) | High — mechanical tear-out; slow production | $2.50–$4.00 | $1.25–$2.50 | $3.75–$6.50 |
| Vermiculite (suspect asbestos) | Abatement only — test before disturbance | Priced via licensed abatement | $1.25–$2.50 | — (abatement + replacement quoted separately) |
Attic size effect (quick reference):
- Small/tight attics (≤800 sq ft): setup/containment overhead doesn’t scale → prices land near the top of each range.
- Large/open attics (≥1,200 sq ft): better production → prices trend toward the bottom of each range.
Access, Headroom & Pitch (production rate)
Crawl-only sections, low headroom, or steep roof pitch slow removing insulation from attic bays and staging for replacement. Long hose runs and lack of attic walkboards add man-hours and can lift line items for containment and safety. Expect higher bag counts and longer cleanout windows when movement is restricted.
Moisture Severity & Cleanouts (beyond “dusty”)
Wet/moldy insulation requires a different workflow: HEPA vacs, negative-air containment, antimicrobial cleaning, and careful bagging/disposal. This pushes the attic cleanouts line (time + materials). Replacement resumes only when the roof deck is dry and odor is neutralized, keeping your cost to replace attic insulation in the realistic range post-mitigation.
Sheathing Drying & Timing (when to replace)
Before you clean the attic and replace insulation, confirm the roof deck has dried to a safe moisture content (generally ~15–16% or lower with a pin meter). Re-insulating over damp sheathing traps moisture, causing callbacks and extra cleanouts later. Dry-down intervals or dehumidification add time but protect the budget.
Electrical & Heat Sources (code-safe details)
Non-IC fixtures, flues, and transformers demand clearances and fire-safe damming during replacement. Correcting these details is small in dollars but critical for FBC-Energy compliance and safety. Skipping them risks scorching, nuisance trips, and future re-work (read: extra removal later).
Debris Volume, Bag Count & Tipping Fees (real disposal math)
Quotes that hide disposal are risky. Ask for an estimated bag count/cubic yards and landfill/tipping assumptions. Dense cellulose, mineral wool, or rodent-soiled batts expand disposal costs even when labor stays flat—moving the remove + replace total upward without changing material specs.
Seasonality & Scheduling (demand curve)
Peak humid months and post-storm periods tighten schedules and can nudge pricing toward the top end due to labor demand and extended cleanout times. Booking early and bundling scope (e.g., removal, replacement, and minor repairs) reduces extra mobilizations and keeps totals inside the market norm.
How Attic Cleaning Services Add to the Total
Cleanouts (a.k.a. attic cleaning / cleanout / cleaning) are separate line items layered on top of the base attic insulation removal and replacement scope. They’re used when the attic isn’t just dusty, there’s moisture, odor, or contamination to address.
Cleanout Add-Ons by Attic Size (South Florida, IECC 1A–2A)
| Cleanout Type (Entity) | What it Covers | Small ≤ 800 sq ft | Standard 1,000–1,200 sq ft | Large ≥ 1,500 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mold remediation & antimicrobial treatment | HEPA vacuuming, localized wipe-down, antimicrobial spray; used after leaks/wet cellulose | $200–$600 | $350–$900 | $700–$1,600 |
| Rodent/bio decontamination & odor neutralization | Removal of droppings/nests, HEPA vacs, enzyme/odor treatment (exclusion/sealing priced separately) | $300–$800 | $500–$1,200 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Dehumidification / moisture removal systems (temporary dry-out) | Industrial dehumidifiers/air movers, moisture checks prior to replacing insulation in attic | $150–$400 (1–3 days) | $250–$700 (2–4 days) | $500–$1,200 (3–5 days) |
| Duct sweat cleanup & minor sealing | Wipe/clean accessible duct surfaces, spot-seal sweating seams; not full duct cleaning | $200–$450 | $300–$700 | $600–$1,100 |
| Asbestos/vermiculite abatement (separate trade) | Testing + licensed abatement of suspect fill; not part of standard removal | Project minimums $2,000–$5,000+ (quoted separately); per-sq-ft rates | — | — |
Cost Comparison Between DIY and Professional: Which One Is Better For Me
- Baseline cost reality
Pros typically quote $2–$6/sq ft for combined attic insulation removal + replacement in South Florida (IECC 1A–2A). DIY looks cheaper until you add HEPA vac rentals, bags, PPE, ladder/decking, and disposal—costs that quickly narrow the gap in real projects. - DIY removal costs (often underestimated)
For removing insulation from attic spaces, you’ll need high-CFM vacuuming, containment, and landfill/tipping; add antimicrobial cleanouts/cleaning if anything is wet or musty. Expect “hundreds of dollars” in rentals/fees on a 1,000-sq-ft job, plus your time.
Crews include HEPA containment/negative air, fast bagging, and haul-away in the line item, keeping your attic insulation removal cost predictable and the home livable during the work. - Safety & risk (where DIY goes wrong)
Unknown asbestos/vermiculite, energized wiring, hot flues, and non-IC lights can turn a DIY into a hazard. Trapping moisture by reinstalling over damp sheathing leads to odor, mold, and repeat cleanouts. - Time & finish
A pro team often completes remove → dry-down checks → replace in one coordinated window, documenting with photos. DIYs commonly stretch over weekends, raising the chance of re-work or missed details.
So, what’s better for me?
In South Florida’s hot-humid climate, full remove + replace jobs (wet/moldy, rodent-soiled, tight access) are usually best left to licensed pros, keeping totals within the real $2–$6/sq ft band and avoiding safety/code pitfalls.
DIY only makes sense for clean, dry, open attics needing a simple top-up. So if you’re pricing “how much to clean attic and replace insulation” or any full attic insulation removal with cleanouts, professional is the better value.
How long does a remove + replace job take in South Florida?
Most 1,000–1,500 sq ft attics finish in 1–2 workdays; add a day if attic cleanouts or dry-out are needed before replacing insulation in attic.
Do I need a permit for removing insulation from attic spaces?
Often no separate permit, but rules vary by city/county; ensure work follows Florida Building Code–Energy and any local requirements.
Will insurance cover attic insulation removal cost after a leak?
Sometimes—if damage stems from a covered peril (storm/sudden leak); wear/tear or long-term mold typically isn’t covered. Ask your carrier before scheduling.
How do I compare quotes for how much to clean attic and replace insulation?
Request line items: removal, cleanouts/cleaning, cost to replace attic insulation (R-value target), air sealing/baffles, and disposal/tipping—plus photo documentation.
What confirms it’s safe to reinstall after wet/moldy insulation?
Roof deck should meter at ~15–16% moisture or lower, odors neutralized, and negative air off without musty return before replacement.
Do FPL rebates apply to attic insulation removal?
Rebates generally apply to the replacement/efficiency portion—not to removal or cleanouts—so check eligibility before committing.
Is it safe to stay home during work?
Yes, with HEPA containment/negative air; expect noise and restricted access. Keep pets/kids away; sensitive individuals may prefer to be out during removal.
