What spray foam removal costs in 2026
Usually £3,000 to £8,500 for the removal. More once you add the bits most quotes leave out. Work out your own range below.
Your roof, roughly
My day job is reading what people type into Google. Before they ring anyone about a big job, they search for the price, word for word: “how much to remove spray foam insulation”. So the price comes first here.
Pick the nearest house type, or type in your roof area if a survey gave you one. It’s a guide from published rates, not a quote.
Removal £2,500–5,000, plus extras £800–3,100.
Rates used: open cell £50–75/m², closed cell £80–100/m². From UK cost guides, September 2026.
Spray foam insulation removal cost, by foam type and house
If a quote lands well outside these, ask the firm to explain it. There can be good reasons, like awkward access or a big roof.
| Open cell | £50–75 /m² |
|---|---|
| Closed cell | £80–100 /m² |
Open cell is soft, like a sponge, and comes away more easily. Closed cell sets hard and bonds to the timber.
| Terrace | £3,000–5,000 |
|---|---|
| Semi-detached | £4,500–7,500 |
| Detached | £7,000–8,500 |
What the quote usually leaves out
This is where two quotes that looked the same end up thousands apart.
| Timber repairsNobody can see the wood until the foam is off. | Nobody can see the state of the wood until the foam is off. | £200–1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Re-insulationThe roof still needs insulating afterwards. | The roof still needs insulating once the foam has gone. | £300–1,500 |
| Surveyor’s reportWhat most lenders want before they’ll lend again. | What most lenders want to see before they’ll lend again. | £300–600 |
| VATAsk if the price includes it. | Some trades quote without VAT. Ask, and get the answer in writing. | +20% |
Real quotes, side by side
The figures above come from published cost guides. I’m asking removal firms to price the same three houses: a terrace, a 1930s semi and a detached. Their answers go here, with VAT included, so you can see real prices next to each other.
Spray foam removal costs: common questions
Can I remove spray foam insulation myself?
You can, physically, especially soft open-cell foam. But it’s slow, filthy work in a cramped loft, you’ll need proper protective kit, and you have to get rid of the waste.
The bigger problem is paperwork. If you’re doing it for a mortgage or a sale, the lender usually wants a report or certificate from a professional. A DIY job can leave you without one. Ask your lender before you start.
Why do quotes for the same house vary so much?
Usually because they include different things. One quote covers getting the foam off. Another includes timber repairs, new insulation, waste and a report. Ask each firm for an itemised quote, with VAT, and compare line by line.
How long does spray foam removal take?
Usually a few days for a typical house. Closed-cell foam, a big roof or awkward access takes longer. Timber repairs, if needed, add time after that.
Can I stay in the house while it’s done?
Usually, yes. The work is in the loft. Ask the firm how they’ll seal off the loft hatch, where the waste goes out, and how they’ll protect the landing.
Will my home insurance pay for removal?
Unlikely. Insurance generally covers sudden damage, not removing something that was installed. It’s worth a call to your insurer, but don’t count on it.
Is there a grant for spray foam removal?
I haven’t found a government grant for removal. Be very careful with anyone who cold calls offering one. Trading Standards have warned about firms using fake grant offers around spray foam.