While most of the information in this blog is visual, our adventures in insulation cannot be expressed without words. Here is our story:

We started with the usual asking for referrals and lining up bidding estimates. In the end we had 4 companies come out, with one, let’s call them Co.#1, in the strong running for favorite,even though they cost about 5 % more, since they advertised an eco-friendly option with less glass and more sand. So we contacted them and agreed to accept their bid. They followed up with some scheduling questions with our contractor, and we were on their calendar.

I should mention here, that they warned us that they could not bid our job competitively, since we had taken out so many of the lathe and plaster walls that we were classified as primarily new construction (bare stud walls) rather than primarily remodel work (blown-in through holes drilled in the plaster), even though our project is a mix of both. We asked them to come give a bid anyway, and we’d decide for ourselves.

So the next day, we got a call from the offices of Co. #1 saying that the insulation used for sound deadening between floors was not avail from their distributer until at least early Jan, maybe later. Did we want to continue? Since sound travel is a major concern in opening a house up they way we have, we decided to go switch to our second choice, Co. #2. We called off our schedule with Co. #1 and called Co. #2 who, it turns out, were also out of the sound product, and couldn’t get more from their distributer until after the first of the year. However, they had the same product in a larger batt, and could cut it down and discard the waste for us. They sent us an e-contract to sign, and said we’d be scheduled as soon as they got their copy back.

As we’re reviewing the contract, we got a call from the sales team at Co. #1, saying their distributer could offer an upgraded sound material and could install it without charging us for the upgrade. Well they were our first choice after all, and now they were pursuing our business, so of course, we told Co. #2 thanks so much, but we weren’t going to sign their contract after all.

Another night goes by, we’re happy with our choices, when lo and behold, we get a call. From Co. #1. From the folks that took our initial information and sent the sales estimator out to us. Turns out, they can’t do our job. Because it’s new construction. Now it’s not just that they’re not competitive, it’s that they won’t consider doing our job.

This is the point that I start asking wtf? I mean first, why did they send someone out at all? And why, when we were signing up a different company, did they not just politely let it go? Why call me and pursue my business?

So, back to Co. #2, sign the contract, get on their schedule, and guess what? They use the same eco-friendly batting that the other company uses! Turns out it’s practically standard these days, so they don’t even mention it.

Here are a few pictures….