There could be a number of reasons that may lead you to consider encapsulation. It may be because you need additional storage space or maybe you’re tired of the musty smell that seeps into your house on days with high humidity. Or you’re frustrated by allergy symptoms that persist despite your best efforts- after all, the air in your crawl space is regularly circulated throughout the house. Moreover, encapsulating your home tends to give you the comfort you deserve. So here you will find out how much a crawl space encapsulation costs, cost estimator, cost per square foot, Reddit, and Permaseal crawl space encapsulation. However, to help you go through the encapsulation process without much stress on your budget.
Encapsulation is the act of sealing up your crawl space—the area located directly between your home’s floor and the ground—with various barriers and insulation. That’s where your crawl space is located.
Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost Estimator
The crawl space encapsulation cost estimator includes:
- Costs for local material/equipment delivery to and service provider transportation to and from the job site.
- Costs to prepare the worksite for Crawl Space Insulation, including costs to protect existing structure(s), finishes, materials, and components.
- Labor setup time, mobilization time, and minimum hourly charges are commonly included for small Crawl Space Insulation jobs.
Cost may vary from contractor to contractor. On the lower side, it could run $5,000, and on the higher side, it could be closer to $20,000. Consequently, how much you’re going to spend will depend on the size of your crawl space and its condition. So, If it’s dirty or damaged, you will have to clean it up first, fix rotten beams or joists, and replace damaged ducts and insulation material. If there’s mold, it has to go before installers can start sealing this space. However, just ensure that the crawl space is clean and in good shape before encapsulation starts. So you won’t spend more money on preparation and also not wait for several days.
How much does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost?
Costs for complete installation of an encapsulation system start around $2,000-$4,000, average $5,000-$7,000, and can go as high as $8,000-$14,000 or more, depending on the size and condition of the crawlspace, local rates, and the materials used. However, less expensive systems use a plastic liner of 6-mil (.006″), 8-mil, 10-mil, or 12-mil thickness. More expensive systems use specially designed multi-layer 20-mil or 23-mil vapor barriers, and may also include a dehumidifier, a sump pump, or drainage trenches. Subsequently, the most common crawlspace encapsulation system is the CleanSpace Crawlspace Liner by Basement Systems. This is also a multi-layer 20-mil vapor barrier, with a mold retardant/fungi inhibitor on the underside. CleanSpace is only available fully installed by authorized contractors, with costs ranging from $4,000-$14,000 or more.
Therefore crawlspace concepts offer the dry space vapor barrier in 8-mil, 12-mil, and 20-mil thicknesses that can be professionally installed or sold directly to consumers for do-it-yourself installation (600 square feet for $330). One Southern homeowner with a 1,500-square-foot crawl space was quoted $5,000 for one contractor to install CleanSpace and $3,000 for another contractor using DrySpace; another Southern homeowner was quoted $9,500-$12,000 to install CleanSpace in a 1,400-square-foot crawl space, and instead paid $1,700 for do-it-yourself DrySpace materials. Doing it yourself may not be so easy, so why do bargain with a contractor based in this field and get the work done for you easy peasy.
Is Crawl Space Encapsulation Worth the Cost?
The expense of crawl space encapsulation is not cheap, but it is worth the money, labour, and time. You will save money on energy costs, reduce bug infestation and mould and mildew buildup, and safeguard the foundation of your home for many years.
What Is the Average Cost to Encapsulate a Crawl Space?
When there is a lot of moisture and humidity in a crawl space, it can damage the structure and make it more likely that mould will grow. Crawl space encapsulation costs anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 on average across the country.
Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost per square foot
It’s sometimes possible for you to complete some of the work yourself, or to pay a professional to do it in stages. Meanwhile, you can use the breakdowns below to better plan out your project. Including the crawl space encapsulation cost per square foot. The section ‘Completing the work yourself’ also has material costs in case you wish to plan out projects without labor costs involved.
Foundation waterproof
In order to fully encapsulate a crawl space, you’ll need to make sure the foundation is waterproof. To fully waterproof a foundation, you can expect to pay around $5,500.
Vent seal
One of the most important steps in the process is to seal exterior vents and any air leaks – this will ensure that the crawl space is fully encapsulated. Moreover, vent covers are available in hardware stores or online for $15 to $22 each, and installing them is extremely simple.
Sump pump
The role of a sump pump is to remove any water that does manage to accumulate within the crawl space. Consequently, installing a sump pump will cost between $650 and $1,800, with an average cost of around $1,100. If you buy a submersible sump pump, then there may be additional labor involved to dig the pit in which it operates – this will place the installation costs at the higher end of the range.
On the other hand, it’s possible to buy an ‘all-in’ package from a company that provides crawl space encapsulation. This is usually a preferable option especially if you have little or no experience or simply want a bottom line price. The table below gives an outline of the costs involved.
| Level | Cost Per Square Foot | Total Cost | Includes |
| Basic | $2 – $4 | $1,500 – $4,000 | Light cleaning, Vapor barrier sealing, No unexpected problems,and No dehumidifier. |
| Average | $3 – $7 | $3,000 – $8,000 | Basic cleaning mold removal, Thicker vapor barrier, Sealing Minor repair sump pump, and new insulation Dehumidifier. |
| Extensive | $5 – $10 | $5,000 – $15,000+ | Extensive cleaning, Mold removal, Thickest vapor barrier, Sealing, Structural repair, sump pump, french drain, new insulation, and Robust dehumidifier. |
Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost calculator
| Crawl space encapsulation cost calculator item details | Qty | Low | High | |
| Batt Insulation Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for R25 15″ x 40′ insulation batt roll for friction-fit installation between common framing. R 3.4 per inch of thickness. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair, and local delivery. | 267 SF | $289 | $676 | |
| Crawl Space Insulation Labor, Basic labor to insulate crawl space with favorable site conditions. Fit and secure batt insulation between floor joists. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup, and cleanup. | 3.6 h | $137 | $327 | |
| Crawl Space Insulation Job Supplies include the cost of related materials and supplies typically required to insulate crawl space including fasteners, vent flow baffles, and sealing tape. | 267 SF | $33 | $37 | |
| Totals – Cost To Insulate Crawl Space | 250 SF | $459 | $1,040 | |
| Average Cost per Square Foot | $1.83 | $4.16 |
Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost Reddit
Crawl space encapsulation cost Reddit
Crawlspace encapsulation refers to the process of dividing the area below your home from your actual living space or building envelope. Moreover, it is best to leave the ventilation of your crawl space to the experts. However, if you’re in an older home with a crawl space, it’s likely unheated and not insulated. Meanwhile, you can learn more about crawl space encapsulation cost Reddit crawl space encapsulation membrane.
Permaseal Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost
Permaseal crawl space encapsulation typically costs from $2,000 to $5,000 on average. A Permaseal salesperson will tend to push expensive, ugly drain tiles whether they will resolve the problem or not. When they don’t work, they tell you that you have another problem, and you have to “prove” their system didn’t help anything or wasn’t needed. Their warranty means nothing. At this point, they are threatening to turn the outstanding $2770 over for collection. If you pay them, it will have cost you over $3400 for something that was not only not needed but made the problem worse. I sincerely believe that the work done by Perma-Seal was not only not necessary, but it did not contribute to solving our water problem, and, in fact, has increased the severity of our water problems.
FAQs
Is crawl space encapsulation worth the cost?
The expense of crawl space encapsulation is not low, but it is well worth the money, labor, and time. You’ll save money on your energy bills, reduce bug infestation and mold and mildew buildup, and protect your home’s foundation for many years to come.
How long does crawl space encapsulation last?
For a normal crawlspace encapsulation project, most providers will provide a warranty of between 15 and 20 years. A fully-sealed crawlspace, on the other hand, can last for more than 20 years if humidity levels are regulated and no catastrophic occurrences such as flooding occur.
How much does it cost per square foot to encapsulate a crawl space?
Installing a crawl space encapsulation system costs between 2$ and $3 or more per square foot on average, so encapsulating a 1,000 square-foot crawl space will cost between $2,000 and $4,000.
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1 comment
Thank you for the info. When it comes to crawl space encapsulation, it is always best to work with professionals.