What You Should Ask Your Insulation Contractor About Spray Foam

If you're considering putting in spray foam insulation, you could be making a positive step towards having a more energy efficient home. The benefits of this form of insulation are numerous, and strangely unknown to the general public. That being said, it is slowly growing in popularity, which means contractors both honest and dishonest are getting into the business. To help you determine which type you are working with, here are some questions you can ask. If the company doesn't provide the right answers or evades the questions, you might want to find someone else to do the work.

Experience

Ask your contractor how much spray foam experience they have. Many insulation contractors have only recently added this alternative to their services. Putting in this type of insulation differs from the techniques used to put in the pink fiberglass stuff, so make sure they have relevant experience. Ask them directly how many homes they have installed the product in. Ask them if they can provide you with any references, i.e., families who have used their services and been satisfied enough to vouch for the company.

Warranty

You should never hire a contractor unwilling to stand behind their work. This goes for construction workers, roofers, and spray foam insulation installers. If they are using an inferior product or have untrained technicians doing the work, they are hardly going to be willing to put money behind the work. They want to get in and out and hopefully never hear from the customer again. Don't let yourself be the victim of a contractor who takes no pride in his work. Insist on a written warranty before you pay a dime.

History
A spray foam insulation company must adhere to the same business reputation markers as anyone else in the field of customer service. Ask them about their business history. How long have they been in the area? Do they have the proper licenses and insurance? Don't depend on their answers for all of your information. Go online and see what customers are saying about the company. Go to the Better Business Bureau and look for customer complaints and replies from the company. Any contractor who has been in business for any length of time will accrue some dissatisfied customers, but a pattern of poor reviews should not be overlooked. Read any complaints you come across carefully and give them the due weight you believe they are entitled to. If necessary, bring these complaints to the attention of the management and see if they have a defense.