UK cost guide

Home Insulation Cost UK 2026

Current UK loft and cavity-wall insulation costs by property type, with per-square-metre material benchmarks and suitability notes.

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026 · Sources & data · Methodology

Typical planning cost£654–£1,206 for loft quilt · £950–£4,600 for cavity walls
Broader project rangeAbout £25–£65 / m² for common cavity-wall materials
Planning figures are estimates rather than quotations. Live calculators combine dated UK benchmarks with clearly separated modelling assumptions such as region, size, condition and specification.

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What affects the cost?

The two most useful insulation benchmarks for many UK homes are loft quilt insulation and cavity-wall insulation. Current guidance places 270mm loft quilt around £654 for a terraced house, £825 for a semi-detached home and about £1,206 for a detached property. Cavity-wall insulation ranges from about £950 for a flat to £4,600 for a detached home, with glass wool around £25–£30 per m² and polyurethane foam around £30–£65 per m². Suitability should be checked before installation, particularly where damp, exposed walls or existing failed insulation are concerns.

  • Loft or cavity-wall insulation
  • Property type and measured area
  • Existing insulation depth
  • Glass wool, mineral wool, EPS or foam specification
  • Wall exposure, condition and damp risk
  • Access and removal of old insulation
  • Repairs identified by the survey

Typical cost breakdown

Loft quilt · terraced house · 270mmAbout £654
Loft quilt · semi-detached · 270mmAbout £825
Loft quilt · detached · 270mmAbout £1,206
Loft quilt · bungalow · 270mmAbout £1,205
Cavity wall · flatAbout £950
Cavity wall · mid-terraceAbout £1,800
Cavity wall · semi-detachedAbout £2,700
Cavity wall · bungalowAbout £2,400
Cavity wall · detachedAbout £4,600
Cavity glass wool£25–£30 / m²
Cavity polyurethane foam£30–£65 / m²

Home insulation costs by location

Open a detailed city page to see the same national benchmark adjusted through the transparent regional model, with local planning considerations and worked examples.

Sources used for this guide

Checkatrade

UK loft and cavity wall insulation cost guidance

Published / checked: Checked September 2026

Used for: Loft insulation property benchmarks and cavity wall per-m² costs

View source ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does loft insulation cost in 2026?

For 270mm quilt insulation, current benchmarks are about £654 for a terraced house, £825 for a semi-detached home, £1,206 for a detached home and £1,205 for a bungalow.

How much does cavity wall insulation cost?

Current property benchmarks range from about £950 for a flat to £4,600 for a detached property. A semi-detached home is around £2,700 and a mid-terrace around £1,800.

How much is cavity wall insulation per m²?

Current guidance places glass wool around £25–£30 per m² and polyurethane foam around £30–£65 per m².

Should cavity walls be surveyed before insulation?

Yes. A suitability survey should check the wall construction, exposure, damp risk and condition before insulation is installed. Repairs can add to the budget.

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