M-208 Home Systems
Attic insulation topped up to R-60, air sealed first
A blown-in attic top-up to R-50 or R-60 typically costs $1,500 to $4,000 in Toronto and the GTA, before HST and rebates. Removing old or contaminated insulation first costs more.
- Typical cost
- $1,500–
$4,000 - Timeline
- Usually 1 day
- Permit
- No building permit (Toronto)
- Prices checked
- 2026
- Air sealing before insulation
- Vermiculite tested first
- Free on-site estimates
Free, no-obligation estimate. We typically reply within 24 hours.
M-208.1 Why MKC
Why choose MKC for attic insulation
An attic top-up is a one-day job in most GTA houses, and an easy one to do badly. Insulation blown over open gaps at the hatch, wiring and plumbing stacks does not stop air leaking into the attic. So the gaps are sealed first and baffles keep the eave vents clear, then cellulose or fibreglass is blown to depth. In Toronto, insulation is installed by a City-licensed insulation installer. Vermiculite is tested before anyone disturbs it.
Attic rebates and their conditions
Home Renovation Savings may pay $1,250, $1,000 or $800, depending on the R-value you start with. The attic must reach at least R-50 across 100% of the roof area, and the work must be done by one of the program’s participating attic contractors, who completes the application; that list is closed to new contractors. No energy assessment is needed.
M-208.2 Scope
What’s included
- M-208.1Blown-in top-upCellulose or fibreglass blown over clean existing insulation to R-50 or R-60, with depth markers.
- M-208.2Old insulation removalWet, compacted or rodent-contaminated insulation vacuumed out and disposed of first.
- M-208.3Air sealingGaps at the hatch, wiring, plumbing stacks and top plates sealed before insulation goes in.
- M-208.4Baffles and ventilationBaffles at the eaves so the new insulation does not block the soffit vents.
- M-208.5Spray foam areasClosed-cell foam at kneewalls, edges and roof slopes that blown-in insulation cannot reach.
- M-208.6Vermiculite testingSamples sent to an accredited lab, with abatement arranged before any insulation work.
M-208.3 Cost guide
What it costs
in Toronto & the GTA
Three sources agree on a blown-in top-up. Removal and spray foam packages rest on one Toronto contractor’s figures. Prices are before HST and rebates.
Blown-in top-up over clean existing insulation to R-50 or R-60
A standard top-up on an accessible attic is usually one day. Removing old insulation first takes two workers half a day to a day on 1,200 sq ft. A no-assessment rebate job must be done by one of the program’s pre-approved attic contractors, and a positive vermiculite test puts abatement ahead of the insulation work.
Every project is different, so your estimate comes with its own written schedule, and we aim to beat the usual industry timeline on every job.
| Level of work | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Top-up to R-50 or R-60Blown cellulose or fibreglass over clean existing insulation, hatch weatherstrip, light air sealing. | $1,500– |
| Full removal plus new R-60Vacuum removal, disposal, air sealing, baffles and new blown-in insulation to R-60. | $4,500– |
| Spray foam or hybridClosed-cell foam at the attic floor, roofline, kneewalls or edges, with blown-in insulation elsewhere. | $6,500– |
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Blown-in cellulose, installed | $1.50– |
| Blown-in fibreglass, installed | $1.75– |
| Vacuum removal of dry, clean old insulation | $1.50– |
| Spray foam in attics | $3– |
| Air sealing and ventilation work | $350– |
Worked examples
- Example 1
1,200 sq ft attic starting above R-12 up to R-25, cellulose top-up to R-50 or more, after a $1,000 rebate
$800–$2,000 - Example 2
1,200 sq ft attic, old insulation vacuumed out, then new R-60, from per-square-foot rates rather than a package price
$6,300–$8,700 - Example 3
800 sq ft of 3-inch closed-cell spray foam
$3,600–$5,600
What moves the number
- 01Attic area
Blown-in insulation is priced by the square foot, at $1.50 to $3.00 installed. One guide puts the minimum attic job at $900.
- 02Starting R-value
Dry, clean insulation is topped up. One Toronto contractor removes anything at R-20 or below first, at $1.50 to $2.20 a sq ft extra.
- 03Removal and contamination
Vacuum removal runs $1.50 to $3.50 a sq ft. Rodent contamination adds $1.00 a sq ft plus about $300 for a disinfecting fog.
- 04Vermiculite
A lab test costs $100 to $200 a sample. A positive result means asbestos abatement comes before any insulation work.
- 05Air sealing and ventilation
Air sealing and ventilation work adds $350 to $1,500, and is often needed before the attic is insulated.
Rebates, subsidies and tax credits
- Up to $1,250Home Renovation Savings: attic insulation, no energy assessment
$1,250 from R-12 or less, $1,000 from above R-12 to R-25, $800 from above R-25 to R-35. Reach at least R-50 over 100% of the roof area. Homeowners of detached, semi-detached, row or townhouses. A participating contractor must do the work and apply.
Program rules - Up to $1,500 for the atticHome Renovation Savings: insulation with a home energy assessment
Needs an assessment by a registered energy advisor before any work, at least two upgrades and a follow-up assessment, which current terms require to be booked by November 30, 2026 and done by December 31, 2026. The program lists $600 toward assessments and $500 extra for three upgrades. Your own contractor may do the work.
Program rules
Ranges are per attic, labour and materials, before HST and rebates. Vermiculite testing and abatement, roof vent work and repairs found once the attic is opened are extra unless the row says so. Prices checked in 2026. Not a quote: your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Where these numbers come from
- Attic insulation (rebates without an energy assessment), Home Renovation Savings (Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy) (2026)
- Bundle upgrades and save (energy assessment required), Home Renovation Savings (Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy) (2026)
- Insulation Installer licence, City of Toronto (2026)
- O. Reg. 278/05: Designated Substance – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations, Government of Ontario (e-Laws) (2026)
- Closed: Greener Homes Grant – Ontario, Natural Resources Canada (2026)
- Closed: Canada Greener Homes Loan, Government of Canada (2026)
- Published 2026 price guides and GTA contractor price pages (2026)
G-003 How we work
How we deliver your insulation upgrade
- 1
Free Estimate
Tell us what you have in mind. We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
- 2
Design + Permits
Our in-house designers model your project in 3D so you can see it and settle every choice. Our in-house engineering team prepares drawings, engineering letters and permit applications.
- 3
Material Procurement
We order cabinets, tile, stone, pavers and decking from trusted suppliers such as Unilock, Techo-Bloc, TimberTech and Trex, and schedule deliveries around the work.
- 4
Construction Process
Our crews build to code with site supervision and regular updates, so you always know where things stand.
- 5
Project Completion
Final inspection, walkthrough and clean-up. On time, within budget and beyond expectations. That is the MKC Guarantee.
Plan your project
with a free estimate.
We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
M-208.4 Questions
Questions about attic insulation
Don’t see your question? Call (647) 637-6052 or ask in your estimate request.
How much does attic insulation cost in Toronto?
Typical cost in Toronto and the GTA: $1,500 to $4,000 (Blown-in top-up over clean existing insulation to R-50 or R-60). By level of work: Top-up to R-50 or R-60: $1,500 to $4,000; Full removal plus new R-60: $4,500 to $7,000; Spray foam or hybrid: $6,500 to $11,000. The size of the attic and what is already up there move the price most. A top-up over clean insulation is the least work; removing old or contaminated insulation, or dealing with vermiculite, costs considerably more. These are typical ranges, before HST, with prices checked in 2026; your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
What attic insulation rebates are available in Ontario?
Home Renovation Savings is open and, without an energy assessment, lists up to $1,250 if the attic starts at R-12 or less, $1,000 from above R-12 to R-25, and $800 from above R-25 to R-35. The attic must reach at least R-50 over 100% of the roof area, and a participating contractor must do the work and complete the application. With an assessment and at least two upgrades, the attic amount is up to $1,500, but current terms require the follow-up assessment by December 31, 2026. The Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan are closed.
Do I need to remove the old insulation?
Often not. Existing insulation that is dry and clean is topped up. It comes out when it is wet, rodent-contaminated or, according to one Toronto contractor, at R-20 or below. Vacuum removal runs $1.50 to $3.50 a sq ft, and a removal plus new R-60 package typically costs $4,500 to $7,000.
What if my attic has vermiculite?
It is tested before anyone disturbs it, with samples sent to an accredited lab. If it contains asbestos, removing more than one square metre of it is a Type 3 operation under Ontario Regulation 278/05. That means notice to the Ministry of Labour before work starts and workers who have completed the approved abatement training. Published prices for a vermiculite attic run $4,000 to $15,000 or more, and insulation follows after.
Cellulose, fibreglass or spray foam?
For an open attic floor, blown-in cellulose and fibreglass are close in price: $1.50 to $2.50 a sq ft for cellulose and $1.75 to $3.00 for fibreglass. Spray foam runs $3.00 to $8.00 a sq ft and is used where blown-in insulation cannot go, such as kneewalls and roof slopes. A spray foam or hybrid attic typically costs $6,500 to $11,000.
What R-value should I ask for?
The rebate program requires at least R-50 in an attic, and R-28 or R-20 for cathedral ceilings and flat roofs. GTA contractors commonly blow to R-60. Ask for the installed depth and R-value in writing, and for depth markers left in the attic so you can check it.
Who is allowed to install insulation in Toronto?
The City of Toronto licenses insulation installers, defined as a person who installs insulation materials in residential homes and commercial buildings. In Toronto, your insulation is installed by a City-licensed installer. For a no-assessment rebate, the installer must also be on the program’s list of participating attic contractors, which is closed to new contractors.
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