Attic Insulation Cost Calculator (Canada): Free Budget

This attic insulation cost calculator estimates the cost of blown-in insulation, supplied and installed (low, typical and high, before tax), based on attic area and target R-value. Reference case, data reviewed in November 2026: a 1,000 sq ft attic insulated to R-50 costs about $2,800 before tax in Quebec ($2,000 to $3,600), $2,500 before tax in Ontario ($1,750 to $3,500), $2,750 before tax in British Columbia ($1,900 to $3,850), and $2,600 before tax in Alberta ($1,800 to $3,650). Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. The detailed budget is emailed to you as a PDF.

To receive your detailed budget, use the “Email me this budget (PDF)” form on renoclair.ca.

Free and independent tool

Low

Typical

High

Before tax. With taxes (typical):

Email me this budget (PDF)

The detailed budget (parameters, breakdown, assumptions, rebates and validity) is emailed to you as a PDF at the address you enter. We keep your email and the calculation parameters for 12 months, then delete them. This information is processed by our hosting and email providers, who may store it outside Quebec. You can request access to, correction or deletion of your information. Person in charge of the protection of personal information: info@renoclair.ca. Privacy policy.

Typical costs by province (before tax)

Province / Target R-value (blown-in, installed)	Low	Typical	High
Quebec: R-50, per sq ft	$2.00	$2.80	$3.60
Quebec: 1,000 sq ft at R-50	$2,000	$2,800	$3,600
Ontario: R-50, per sq ft	$1.75	$2.50	$3.50
Ontario: R-60, per sq ft	$2.10	$3.00	$4.20
Ontario: 1,000 sq ft at R-50	$1,750	$2,500	$3,500
Ontario: 1,000 sq ft at R-60	$2,100	$3,000	$4,200
British Columbia: R-50, per sq ft	$1.90	$2.75	$3.85
British Columbia: R-60, per sq ft	$2.30	$3.30	$4.60
British Columbia: 1,000 sq ft at R-50	$1,900	$2,750	$3,850
British Columbia: 1,000 sq ft at R-60	$2,300	$3,300	$4,600
Alberta: R-50, per sq ft	$1.80	$2.60	$3.65
Alberta: R-60, per sq ft	$2.15	$3.10	$4.35
Alberta: 1,000 sq ft at R-50	$1,800	$2,600	$3,650
Alberta: 1,000 sq ft at R-60	$2,150	$3,100	$4,350

Before tax. Rates based on verified contractor quotes and cross-checked renovation price databases in Quebec and Ontario in November 2026. Taxes are applied separately based on province (14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia — 7% PST on materials is paid by the contractor and embedded in installed prices, and 5% GST only in Alberta with no PST).

What is included and what is not

Included

Supply and blowing of insulation up to the target R-value

Not included

Removing old insulation
Air sealing (required for certain provincial rebates)
Vapour barrier or spray foam
Attic ventilation and roof or framing repairs
Taxes (shown separately)

How the attic insulation cost calculator calculates your estimate

The amount is the attic floor area (200 to 3,000 sq ft) multiplied by a rate per square foot based on the selected province. In Quebec, the R-50 rate summarizes prices published in 2026 by multiple sources ($2.00 to $3.60, typical $2.80). In Ontario, R-50 rates average $1.75 to $3.50 (typical $2.50) and R-60 averages $2.10 to $4.20 (typical $3.00). In British Columbia, R-50 rates average $1.90 to $3.85 (typical $2.75) and R-60 averages $2.30 to $4.60 (typical $3.30), cross-checked across verified local contractors.

Amounts are before tax and rounded ($50 below $10,000, $100 above). The calculator also shows the typical amount with applicable sales tax (14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia, 5% GST only in Alberta). Items marked as RénoClair assumptions are listed as such in the PDF.

Rebates and financial aid

British Columbia – CleanBC Better Homes & Rebate Search Tool (BC Hydro & FortisBC): up to $1,200 (and up to $2,000 for income-qualified participants or dual-fuel conversions) to upgrade attic insulation to at least R-50, installed by a Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) registered contractor (betterhomesbc.ca, verified November 2026).

Alberta – Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP): Alberta has no active province-wide cash rebate for attic insulation as of late 2026, but participating municipalities (Calgary, Edmonton, St. Albert, Canmore, Lethbridge, etc.) offer PACE financing up to $50,000 through CEIP, repaid via property taxes.

Ontario – Home Renovation Savings Program (Save on Energy & Enbridge Gas): no assessment needed: 50% of the after-tax cost, up to $1,250 to bring an attic from R-12 or less to R-50 ($1,000 from above R-12 to R-25, $800 from above R-25 to R-35); a participating contractor must insulate the whole attic and finish by November 30, 2026. With an energy assessment and at least two upgrades: $1,500, $1,200 or $900 (homerenovationsavings.ca and program documents, read on November 8, 2026).

Quebec – LogisVert (Hydro-Québec, participation guide v1.10, September 15, 2026): $1,500 for roof insulation to at least R-50 over 100% of the surface done together with air sealing, in a home heated mainly by electricity, by a company registered with the REQ and holding the right RBQ licences; apply within 9 months.

Quebec – Rénoclimat (Government of Quebec): $1.75 per sq ft insulated, up to $2,000 for a house, when at least R-20 is added to reach R-60 on at least 300 sq ft.

Permits, licences and rules

Alberta (NBC(AE) 2023): The National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition specifies RSI 10.43 (R-60) for residential attics. Municipal building permits (Calgary, Edmonton) are generally not required for blown-in insulation top-ups unless roof framing or ventilation openings are altered. Pre-1990 vermiculite must be tested for asbestos under the Alberta OHS Code. Contractors taking deposits require a Prepaid Contracting Business Licence and direct home contracts include a 10-day cooling-off period.
British Columbia (BCBC 2024 / VBBL): Supplementary standards and the Vancouver Building By-law recommend R-50 to R-60 for residential attics. Municipal building permits (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Victoria) are generally not required for blown-in attic insulation top-ups unless roof framing or ventilation openings are altered. Under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA), direct sales contracts concluded at home include a mandatory 10-day cooling-off cancellation period without penalty.
Ontario (OBC SB-12): Supplementary Standard SB-12 recommends R-50 to R-60 for residential attics. A municipal building permit is generally not required for simple blown-in attic insulation top-ups unless structural roof modifications, new rafters or changes to ventilation openings are involved. Under Consumer Protection Ontario, direct contracts concluded at home include a mandatory 10-day cooling-off period.
Quebec (RBQ): Adding attic insulation generally does not require a municipal permit; check your city if the roof or structure is modified. Hire a contractor holding the appropriate RBQ licence (required for LogisVert and Rénoclimat).

Which provinces are covered?

Prices currently cover: Quebec (14.975% GST + QST, LogisVert, Rénoclimat, RBQ), Ontario (13% HST, Home Renovation Savings Program, OBC SB-12), British Columbia (5% GST, CleanBC Better Homes, BCBC 2024 / VBBL), and Alberta (5% GST only, CEIP financing, NBC(AE) 2023).

Limitations

This is a planning estimate, not a quote. It does not see the condition of your home, regional price differences or hidden problems; only a written quote after a visit gives the price of your work. The result cannot be printed from the page: the detailed budget is sent to you as a PDF by email, after you enter your address and give your consent.

Sources, review date and data version

Data reviewed in November 2026; next review planned for February 2027.
Price sources: published contractor prices in Quebec and Ontario, actual published quotes and retail prices collected in stores, cross-checked across several independent domains. Official sources: Government of Quebec, Hydro-Québec, Régie du bâtiment du Québec, Ontario Building Code, Save on Energy, Enbridge Gas, municipal websites.
Full method: Sources and methodology.
French version: Calculateur prix isolation entretoit Québec : estimez votre budget.

Related guides and calculators

Frequently asked questions

How much does attic insulation cost per square foot?

In Quebec in 2026, about $2.00 to $3.60 per sq ft ($2,000 to $3,600 for 1,000 sq ft R-50). In Ontario, about $1.75 to $3.50 per sq ft ($1,750 to $3,500 for 1,000 sq ft R-50, or $2,100 to $4,200 for R-60). Removal and air sealing are extra.

What R-value should an attic have?

In Quebec, guidelines recommend R-50 or higher (LogisVert requires R-50, Rénoclimat targets R-60). In Ontario, Ontario Building Code (OBC) SB-12 recommends R-50 to R-60 for residential attics.

Are there rebates for attic insulation?

Yes. In Ontario, the Home Renovation Savings Program (Save on Energy & Enbridge Gas) offers up to 50% of after-tax costs up to $1,250 with a participating contractor. In Quebec, LogisVert offers up to $1,500 and Rénoclimat up to $2,000.

How do I get the budget as a PDF?

Calculate your budget, then enter your email and check the consent box in the form under the result: the detailed PDF is sent by email. The result cannot be printed directly from the page.

When are prices updated?

Prices were reviewed in November 2026. The next review is planned for February 2027; the data version is shown on the page and in the PDF.

Which provinces does the calculator cover?

Currently Quebec and Ontario. The calculator includes province-specific pricing, local sales tax (14.975% GST+QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario) and applicable rebates.

Attic Insulation Cost Calculator: Estimate Your Budget