Insulation in Raleigh, NC - free quotes from local pros

Raleigh homeowners deal with a climate that tests insulation from both ends. Summer temperatures in the Triangle regularly push into the mid-90s with high humidity, while winter nights can drop into the 20s and 30s. Your home’s insulation is what stands between you and uncomfortable rooms and rising energy bills.

If your upstairs is sweltering in July, rooms feel drafty in January, or your energy bills keep climbing, an insulation upgrade may be the most cost-effective improvement you can make. We connect Raleigh homeowners with insulation contractors who deliver quality work at fair prices.

The average Raleigh insulation project costs $1,400 to $7,500 depending on scope. Get free quotes from local pros and compare before you hire.

Insulation costs in Raleigh

Insulation pricing in the Raleigh metro runs near or slightly below the national average, driven by a competitive contractor market in the Triangle. Here is what Raleigh homeowners can expect to pay for common insulation projects.

What affects costs in Raleigh

Several factors specific to the Raleigh market influence your project cost:

• Home age. The Triangle has experienced decades of rapid growth, and homes range from 1950s ranch houses in neighborhoods like Five Points and Cameron Village to brand-new construction in Apex and Holly Springs. Older homes often need more preparation work, including removal of existing insulation or moisture remediation in crawl spaces.
• Crawl space construction. Many Raleigh homes are built on vented crawl spaces, which are common in the Piedmont. Insulating and encapsulating crawl spaces is a popular upgrade that adds cost but significantly improves energy efficiency and moisture control.
• Accessibility. Homes with steep rooflines, limited attic access, or finished bonus rooms over garages cost more to insulate than homes with open, accessible attics.
• Insulation type. Spray foam is the most expensive per square foot but provides the best air sealing in Raleigh’s humid climate. Blown-in is the most popular and cost-effective choice for attic upgrades.

How it works

Getting insulation quotes in Raleigh is straightforward:

1. Describe your project. Tell us about your home, the areas you want to insulate, and your timeline.
2. Get matched with local pros. We connect you with up to three insulation contractors in the Raleigh area.
3. Compare quotes and hire. Review estimates, ask questions, and choose the contractor that fits your budget and schedule.

There is no cost and no obligation. You are free to compare and decide on your own terms.

What to look for in a Raleigh insulation contractor

Licensing

North Carolina does not require a separate specialty license for insulation work. However, contractors performing projects valued at $30,000 or more must hold a general contractor license through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC).

For projects under $30,000, a state license is not required, but your contractor should still carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. The City of Raleigh may require a building permit for certain insulation projects, particularly those involving changes to exterior walls or crawl space encapsulation.

You can verify a contractor’s license status at the NCLBGC website. For local business registration, check with the Wake County Register of Deeds.

Insurance

Your contractor should carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask for certificates of insurance and confirm they are current. North Carolina law requires general contractors to carry a minimum of $50,000 in liability coverage. This protects you from financial liability if something goes wrong during the project.

Questions to ask

Before hiring an insulation contractor in Raleigh, ask:

• Are you licensed with the NCLBGC? What is your license number?
• Do you carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation?
• How many insulation projects have you completed in the Raleigh area?
• What type of insulation do you recommend for my home and why?
• Do you handle crawl space encapsulation as part of the insulation project?
• What warranty do you offer on labor and materials?
• Will you handle any required permits?

Raleigh climate and insulation needs

Raleigh sits in IECC Climate Zone 4, which calls for moderate to high insulation levels to handle both hot summers and cool winters. Here are the recommended minimums:

• Attic: R-38 to R-49
• Walls: R-13 to R-15
• Floors/crawl spaces: R-25
• Basement walls: R-10

Many older Raleigh homes, particularly those built before the 1990s in neighborhoods like North Hills, Five Points, and Oakwood, fall short of these recommendations. Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s may have minimal attic insulation and no wall insulation at all.

Raleigh’s combination of heat and humidity makes moisture management as important as thermal performance. Humid air that infiltrates the building envelope can condense inside walls and attics, leading to mold and rot. Spray foam and crawl space encapsulation address both air sealing and moisture control, which is why they are popular upgrades in the Triangle.

The Research Triangle’s rapid growth means many newer homes in areas like Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and Holly Springs were built to modern energy codes. But even code-minimum insulation can be improved. Upgrading attic insulation from R-30 to R-49 in these homes delivers meaningful energy savings over time.

Insulation resources

Learn more about insulation options for your Raleigh home:

• Blown-in insulation cost guide - Detailed pricing for the most popular attic insulation option
• Attic insulation guide - Compare materials and find the right R-value
• Spray foam vs. fiberglass - Side-by-side comparison of performance and cost
• Wall insulation retrofit guide - How to add insulation to existing walls
• R-value guide - Recommended R-values by climate zone
• How to choose an insulation contractor - Evaluation checklist and red flags

Browse all insulation services in North Carolina or visit our insulation resource center.

Related services in Raleigh

Planning a bigger project? We also connect homeowners with contractors for:

• Concrete contractors in Raleigh
• Fencing contractors in Raleigh

Bundling multiple home improvement projects can sometimes save money through contractor discounts and shared mobilization costs.