What you don't know can hurt you.

Official investigations in the states of Florida and Georgia determined that more than 25% of blown in attic insulation installations did not deliver the amount of insulation the customer had paid to get.

• "Fluffing" the insulation makes it appear to be more product than it really is. The result is lower energy efficiency per inch of depth.
• The quality and price of insulation installation varies greatly.
• Following these simple steps will get you great home insulation at the right price (without problems).

Get informed.

• Some energy conservation projects and insulation contractors give great value. Some do not.
• A little education can save money and get a better job. Review the most common home insulation projects and materials on Insulation.com.
• Get one of the books on energy conservation recommended by Insulation.com. A few dollars and a little time will save you a Lot of money and prevent problems.
• Consider having an Energy Rater evaluate the energy efficiency of your home before getting bids from insulation contractors. The small cost can help identify and prioritize tasks, and help in selecting the right home insulation products.

Get organized.

• Write down your questions about insulation energy efficiency, specific home insulation products, insulation installation, energy efficiency rebates, and insulation contractors.

Get 3-4 free home insulation bids.

• You will learn a lot.
• You can get free bids from pre-screened and customer reviewed insulation contractors at Insulation.com.
• Insulation.com became an independent Affiliate of Service Magic because they provide the best home insulation contractor rating and selection process in America.
• Customer ratings and reviews are well-organized and easy to check on Service Magic. They check licensing, insurance, criminal background, liens and litigation records.
• Service Magic also provide information on the home insulation products each contractor installs, the insulation installation methods they use, company histories, etc.
• Insulation contractors are highly motivated keep customer satisfaction and ratings high so they can be frequently selected for home insulation bids.
• Some insulation manufacturers websites can identify insulation contractors. However, they are not rated and reviewed by customers and have financial ties to the manufacturer.
• Google's "Local Insulation Contractor Listings" may not be good for finding the best insulation contractors. Google selects by category and general location. Contractors are not screened and reviewed by customers for whom they have done an insulation installation.
• A direct personal experience referral to a home insulation contractor can be very helpful. It is always smart to speak with more than one insulation contractor even if you have a referral.

Listen and learn.

• After the home insulation contractor has checked your home, let him say what home insulation products he would use and how he would achieve the level of energy conservation you want.
• Then ask your questions. How the insulation contractor responds to your questions about insulation installation is important. If he does not have time for questions, he may not have time to do a good job.
• Insulation contractors should be able to compare home insulation products and costs. They should know which home insulation products qualify for all possible energy efficiency rebates, and offer to help with the paperwork.
• A home insulation contractor should have a copy of his license, workman's compensation and liability insurance, and checkable references of home insulation projects.
• Be cautious of any insulation contractor who does not have copies of these items.

Evaluate the bids.

• The lowest bid is often not the best.
• Some marginal insulation contractors "buy" business with low bids and then do poor quality work. A good quality insulation installation job is hard work and takes time. It is worth a fair price.
• Within reason, select the company that provides the best energy conservation value, not the lowest price.
  
• Be sure the bids are all for the same quality and quantity of home insulation products and scope of service.
• Consumer Reports says, "smaller shops stand out" as commonly being the best. An established local home insulation contractor who has equity in the community and his business may be ideal.
• A contract deposit should not exceed ten (10%) of the bid amount. If the insulation contractor wants to you to "pay for the material" in advance, get someone else to do your home insulation.
• The contract should be specific about the type, brand, and quantity of home insulation. It should also be specific about the start and finish dates, terms of payment, etc.
• Carefully check the written contract to be certain all the key points are clearly included. Ask for written clarification as needed. Do not hesitate to "think it over".

Be a good home insulation customer.

• Be pleasant and pay on time.
• Be fair and reasonable when you do a customer rating for an insulation contractor at Service Magic. Apply a realistic standard for competent and courteous service.
• If there is a problem, then talk it over with the insulation contractor. Give him a reasonable chance to correct the insulation installation before writing a complaint.

Summary

• If you are well informed and organized you will find a good insulation contractor who will do an excellent insulation installation for a fair price.
• The energy conservation savings will last for years.