Photo: Cheap spray foam installed by low-cost competitors.

When considering the installation of spray foam insulation, choosing between hiring a low-cost, uninsured contractor using subpar materials and engaging a reputable, fully insured professional who utilizes high-quality products is critical. This decision significantly impacts the safety, effectiveness, and longevity of the insulation, as well as the overall integrity of your home.  Low cost contractors “spray foam”, we do not spray foam we use our two decades of building science to offer solutions to homeowners/ business owners to solve their heat loss/ heat gain issues, cost of HVAC operation, condensation/ moisture issues and that may or may not involve spray foam insulation. Recently one potential client used our estimate with another contractor who did “the same depth of foam in the same areas” and another contractor offered to do that for $6,000 for chemical and labor, our cost for brand name, top shelf chemical on that job was $8,000, not including labor or overhead….

For several months, vendors in the City of Chicago have been selling labeled, undocumented closed-cell spray foam insulation or similar stuff. We do not know what is in the drums, but this chemical is 75% less than quality foam from brand-name manufacturers. At this point, it is taking a significant part of the market from my conversations with contractors who also use quality chemicals, so buyer beware!

For those of you who are asking yourself, “Is it worth it to spend more?” Here are a few words from experience.

Cheap Foam and Uninsured Contractors

Opting for inexpensive spray foam Insulation applied by uninsured/low-quality contractors can lead to numerous problems:

1. Saving money without any of the understanding that Chicago Green Insulation and offers with our knowledge of all estimates start with the question, “What is your problem” and then using our knowledge to figure out the open cell/ closed cell question, the sizing of the HVAC equipment, the condensation and moisture issues, short cycling/ dramatically over sized air conditioning equipment leaving your home less comfortable after spending thousands on spray foam insulation.
2. Health Hazards: Low-quality contractors using low-quality spray foam products may not cure properly, releasing harmful chemicals into the home environment. Exposure to these chemicals can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health problems. Improper application can exacerbate these risks, leading to prolonged exposure and more severe health consequences.   
3. Structural Damage: Incorrect installation techniques or poor-quality foam can result in inadequate adhesion to building surfaces. This may cause air leaks, moisture infiltration, and compromised structural integrity. Over time, these issues can lead to mold growth, wood rot, and other forms of deterioration.  Damage can come in the form of too much moisture in the house, foam not properly installed to the underside of the roofing materials allowing for condensation, moisture and rotting which will lead to unnecessary roof replacement.
4. Financial Liabilities: Uninsured contractors lack the coverage to address damages or injuries during the project. Homeowners may be held financially responsible for accidents or substandard work, leading to unexpected expenses and potential legal disputes.  
5. Difficulty in Removal and Remediation: Poorly applied or defective spray foam insulation is challenging and costly to remove. The removal process often involves extensive labor and can result in additional damage to the property. Moreover, lingering odors and chemical residues from faulty installations can render spaces uninhabitable until properly addressed. One family recently spent almost $50,000 to remove bad foam and fix issues found with installed foam.
6. As I mentioned above, in the Chicago area, spray foam trucks are installing chemicals imported from Mexico (and Turkey), sold on the South Side of Chicago for cash with no documentation, no safety material, and no real knowledge of how flammable or what the R-value is per inch. It just sprays and sets up and “appears” like quality foam insulation when it is not.