Why You Should Only Use Expert Insulation Installers

by Brian Flax | Mar 18, 2015

You wouldn’t hire a professional chef to fix your car, so why hire someone unqualified to install new insulation in your home? The idea is the same. Professional insulation installers have the knowledge, training and experience to properly install new insulation to Ireland’s building regulations, and you shouldn’t cut corners just to save a few quid – you could end up paying more in the long run.

In this article, we’ll take a look at a few reasons why you should only hire a professional insulation contractor when it’s time to upgrade your home’s insulation.

Professional Insulation Contractors Know Their Stuff

There’s a lot to know about insulation. Properly insulating a home is more than just rolling out fibreglass insulation in the attic and calling it a day. Hiring an insulation installer should start with a proper quotation. During the quotation the contractor should be able to tell you the type of insulation recommended for each application and the benefits it’ll bring to your home. They should address all your questions and concerns and walk you through the installation process step-by-step. At the end of the quotation you should know exactly what is to be installed, why it’s recommended, the installation process and an accurate quote for the proposed works.

There’s a lot to know when installing insulation, such as drilling patterns for cavity wall insulation, roof and wall vents for proper ventilation, building regulations for each part of the home, vapour barriers and so on. A properly trained insulation contractor should be able to address all of these questions without having to think twice. It’s a good idea to have a list of questions for the contractor prepared beforehand. If you get the run around, it’s probably best you walk away and obtain a quotation from a more qualified company.

The Insulation Contractor Should be Certified

All insulation contractors in Ireland should hold the proper certifications for the products they sell and install. For example, if the contractors offer KORE External Insulation or KORE Fill Cavity Wall Insulation, the contractor must hold an NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) certification. This certification guarantees that the contractor has undergone training specific to that system and that an audit has been conducted as part of the application process. Check the company’s website and the NSAI database to ensure they hold the proper certifications to install the product.

Any contractor you consider doing business with should be SEAI registered. You can easily search on SEAI’s website to ensure the contractor is certified. You can also search the database to find local installers of roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, dry lining insulation, external insulation systems and heating and plumbing contractors. If you’re still unsure, ask the company for references that you can verify before you hire them to complete any work.

It’s also worth checking with the National Insulation Association of Ireland (NIAI) to verify the company’s membership.

All Insulation Should be Guaranteed

Good service shouldn’t end when the works are completed. A good contractor will guarantee all works, products and labour, for an extended period of time. If you’re obtaining quotes for works from multiple contractors, make sure you know exactly what the warranty is on all products installed and the actual labour itself. You may find that the warranty varies from product to product in the length of time covered. Cavity wall insulation should carry a 25 year guarantee that is transferable between homeowners should you decide to sell your home. If the company’s warranty isn’t printed on your invoice make sure you receive a copy before any money is exchanged.

Stay away from companies that don’t guarantee the products they use or the labour when installing measures. Using sub-par product could cause damage to your home, as could installing the product incorrectly. When in doubt, ask to see the contractor’s insurance policy to ensure it covers accidents that may happen during installation. If they don’t have insurance, run away.

Only Use Approved Insulation Contractors

Take some time to complete your own research on the different products available on the market before accepting the first bid you receive. The more you know about what’s available, the easier it is to protect yourself and your home from contractors that have no business installing insulation. Check with the manufacturer to see if they company is approved and certified to install the product they are selling.

KORE offers an Official KORE Fill Installers Register that lists all approved cavity wall insulation contractors across Ireland. Only the companies on this list are permitted to offer and install KORE Fill bonded bead. If you receive a quotation for KORE Fill from a company not included on this list please contact us immediately.