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How much does loft insulation cost and is it worth it? Posted: 04 Feb 2022 03:00 AM PST Insulating your home is vital for reducing energy wastage and adding loft insulation is one of the most cost-effective solutions. According to Energy Saving Trust, you can lose a quarter of heat through the roof of an uninsulated home, but by installing loft insulation you're effectively covering your home in a blanket. That means you’re keeping heat inside the house and stopping it from escaping in the colder, winter months. It’s the perfect solution when it comes to insulating your home. The question is what does loft insulation cost and is it worth the investment? 'Homeowners will undoubtedly reap the long-term financial benefits of investing in home insulation that will last winter after winter,' says Jenny Turner property manager at Insulation Express. Remember, there are loft insulation grants available. How much does loft insulation cost? Image credit: Future plc/Davide Lovatti Read on to find out more about the loft insulation cost you will have to consider depending on the insulation you choose. There are lots of different types of insulation to choose from including sheet, blanket, loose-fill, brown fibre and insulated loft boards. Here we explain the difference between each type and how much each costs on average to install. Plus the pros and cons each. 1. Sheet insulation cost Sheet insulation, also called foam board, comes in rigid sheets and is typically made from polyurethane. More expensive sheets come with a moisture resistant coating. This type of insulation is ideal for installing in the sloping sides of the roof, which means it's often used in loft conversions. 'There's a wide range of competitor products on the market which vary in quality, so you'll need to do your research and look for ones with good thermal and fire-resistant properties,' says property and construction expert Thomas Goodman at MyJobQuote.co.uk. Pros Comes in boards, so they're easy to cut to size and handle They can even be ordered pre-cut to size Can be covered with plasterboard for an attractive finish Cons  It can be a more expensive product compared to other insulation types Typical cost per m2 Between £7.75 and £11 per m2 2. Blanket insulation cost Available in rolls, blanket insulation is typically made from foil-backed felt, rock, glass or mineral fibre. It's installed by laying between flooring joists in a loft and manufacturers offer the product in a variety of standard widths to match different sized lofts. It's probably one of the most common and widely used types of insulation, especially for DIY installations. Pros It's an affordable option Available in a range of materials Ideal for DIY installation Cons Rolls can be really bulky and you have to cut it to size on site in the loft, so it's best suited to lofts with little obstruction Some materials will irritate the skin, so you'll need to invest in protective clothing to wear during installation Typical cost per m2 From £5 per m2 3. Loose fill insulation cost Image credit: BC Designs Most common materials used for loose fill insulation are cellulose, fibreglass and mineral wool. It's a lightweight material and comes in a bag which can be poured in to conform to the space, making it ideal for retrofit projects. You'll need to make sure there are no cracks or holes in the ceiling before installation and use a brush or rake to level out the fill. What's more, if you're not fitting boarding over the top of it, make sure the roof space isn't draughty as high winds are likely to unsettle the product. Pros  It's a light-weight material, so easy to handle Ideal for awkward spaces, as you don't need to worry about cutting it to size Cons Extra care needs to be taken when installing, to avoid breathing in harmful fibres or causing a skin irritation Loose-fill insulation may not stay in place, especially in draught-prone lofts Typical cost per m2 Between £5 and £7.50 per m2 4. Blown fibre insulation cost Blown fibre insulation is similar to loose fill, except that it's mechanically blown into your loft space by a specialist. Wool is the most common material and it's ideal for use when blanket insulation isn't possible, which tends to be when joists are obstructed. Pros It's quick to install Cons  You need to hire a specialist who has the correct equipment As you can't do it yourself, it tends to be a more expensive material to fit than other insulation types Typical cost per m2 £55 per m2 Is loft insulation worth it? Image credit: Future plc/Polly Eltes According to independent finance brokers Norton Finance, the loft of a mid-terrace house costs around £285 to insulate with 270mm insulation. That cost will likely pay for itself in just over a year due to the reduction in your energy bill, as well as reduce a home's carbon footprint by 530kg every year. 'Installing loft insulation will mean you will use your heating less and, consequently, save on your utility bills. What's more, it will also improve your property's energy performance rating (EPC),' says property and construction expert Thomas Goodman. 'This in turn helps to increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers if and when you come to sell it.' The post How much does loft insulation cost and is it worth it? appeared first on Ideal Home.

What is a mortgage broker and do you need one? Posted: 04 Feb 2022 01:00 AM PST A mortgage broker is an adviser that helps you get a mortgage. They find the right product for you from thousands on offer across the market. Using a broker gives you a mortgage expert on your side. Brokers need to pass professional qualifications to give advice and they're regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. They'll also give you a realistic idea of how much you can borrow and therefore your purchasing power. And they'll help get your finances 'mortgage ready' to give you the best chance of getting your application approved before finding you the best mortgage rates. Will using a mortgage broker get me a better deal? A broker will find you the best and cheapest mortgage that meets your needs. It's important to remember there isn't one best mortgage. The lowest rate might not be accessible to you or come with high fees you don't want to pay. A broker uses their expertise and experience to find the cheapest option that suits you. David Hollingworth, associate director at broker, L&C Mortgages, explains: ‘There's more to think about than just the rate as deals carry different fees and incentives, such as a free valuation or a cashback.’ ‘A broker will factor these in to find the right blend, plus account for lender criteria to get the right fit for the case.’ Image credit: Future PLC/ Alun Callender What's the difference between a mortgage broker and direct lender? A direct lender, such as a bank or building society, offers their own mortgages. They can give you advice on their products, but they won't tell you if a competitor's mortgage could suit you better. A broker works for you. They'll do a detailed 'factfind' to get all the information they need. Then they'll shop around, searching the mortgage market on your behalf. Most importantly, they have inside knowledge of how lenders work. They know which are super smooth on service or running slow, and they stay up to date with constantly changing lending criteria. They'll find the best mortgage that you're actually eligible for, so you don't waste time on applications that get rejected and send you back to square one. Find out how much you could borrow with our mortgage calculator. Are mortgage brokers independent or will they only offer mortgages from certain lenders? Some are independent and can arrange a mortgage from any UK mortgage lender. Others have access to a panel of lenders that represents the mortgage market, without including every single lender. They are all bound by regulations so you can trust their advice and go to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you're not happy. Michelle Leyland, mortgage broker at South Yorkshire Money, says: "Ask a mortgage broker how many lenders they have access to. The answer should be 90-plus and then they are as close to ‘whole of market’ as you can get." How much does a mortgage broker cost? Advice from a broker ranges from completely free to thousands of pounds. Hollingworth says: "All brokers will receive a payment from a lender for introducing business to them, essentially a commission payment. "Some brokers, including L&C, don't make any additional charge to the customer and work only off the lender payment." Others charge you a flat fee for their advice, such as £500, or a percentage fee, for example 1% of the mortgage loan. Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole How do I find a good mortgage broker? What should I look out for? Word of mouth recommendations are a great start, so speak to friends and family first. Your estate agent might work closely with a broker and recommend them, but you're not obliged to use their preferred partner. Leyland adds: "Check out their reviews, Google them, view their social media business pages, ask your friends for recommendations. Contact a few brokers and see how quickly they get back to you." Some brokers have specialisms, such as helping the self-employed or those with credit blips, which could be invaluable if you have specific needs. You might want to use a broker that allows you do most of the process online, or prefer a face to face meeting, so choose a broker that works in the way you prefer. Do I need a mortgage broker? You don't need a mortgage broker, but they're a great idea unless you're confident about choosing the right product from the thousands on offer. With a mortgage broker, you get a mortgage market expert on your side, helping you find the best deal, filling in the forms, chasing the lender and solicitor on your behalf, and holding your hand through the whole homebuying process. This can be particularly useful for first-time buyers, self employed mortgage applicants and those with credit issues. The post What is a mortgage broker and do you need one? appeared first on Ideal Home.

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