What factors are considered in a crawl space encapsulation cost analysis?
First, let’s define a crawl space encapsulation before doing the crawl space encapsulation analysis.
- Seal all points of outside air infiltration,
- Dehumidify and filter the crawl space air with an appropriately sized commercial dehumidifier.
- Stop the moisture intrusion from the crawl space floor and foundation walls with a vapor barrier and sub-surface exhaust.
- Manage water intrusion with a french drain and sump pump.
Potential Costs Without Encapsulation
Homes with crawl spaces often have problems with water intrusion and too much moisture. Count yourself lucky if your crawl space is dry. Most crawl spaces are damp places. During the summer in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, it’s not unusual for the humidity to be over 70%. Consequently, if the moisture content in your crawl space joists is more than 18%, wood rot, and mold can grow.
- During the summer, condensation forms on the ducts in the crawl space.
- Compared to the cost of replacing the water-damaged duct insulation and energy loss from the cool air in the duct system. Thousands of dollars
- When it rains, there is a lot of standing water on the crawl space floor.
- Compared to the annoyance of smells and the cost of health problems associated with organisms growing in standing water.
- Water travels through the crawl space foundation walls when the lot doesn’t drain well.
- Compared to the cost of erosion around your foundation. Thousands of dollars.
- Leaks in the plumbing drains that aren’t found, which let water get into the crawl space.
- A neglected crawl space hides plumbing problems. Consider the plumbing repair costs and treating health issues.
- Outside humid air infiltration raises the moisture content of the subfloor and floor joists.
- Compared to the cost of mold remediation. $2.00-$4.00 per square foot
- A tight crawl space with open vents and poor circulation can result in extremely high moisture content in wood.
- Compared to the foundation repair cost from dry rot, sagging joists, and termite damage. Thousands of dollars.
- High humidity in the crawl space can cause wood floors above to expand and contract or cup and crown.
- Compared to the cost of wood floor replacement. Thousands of dollars.
How much does crawl space encapsulation cost?
It’s challenging to get a good idea of how much encapsulation can cost. As a result, crawl space encapsulation costs depend on several things, such as:
The crawl space size. How much encapsulation material your home’s foundation will need will depend on the crawl space size. The price of things like the plastic vapor barrier depends on how much space they take up. Also, the crawl space size may mean you need more than one dehumidifier.
Depending on how the water drains around the house, you may need a French drain system and roof gutters.
Depending on the water in the ground around your house, you might need one or more sump pumps.
- HomeGuide says that the national average is between $3,000 and $8,000 and that bigger houses can cost more than $15,000.
- HomeAdvisor says that the average price across the country is between $1500 and $15,000, with a median of $5500.
- That means the average cost of enclosing a crawl space is about $5,000, including materials and having a professional do the work. But the average price per job can be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. For about $8750.00 on average
- Acculevel says that the average size of a crawl space is between 1500 and 2000 square feet. At an average cost of $3 to $7 per square foot, a 1500-square-foot house can cost between $4,500 and $10,500, making the average cost more like $7,500.
- A 2000-square-foot house can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $14,000. The average cost is closer to $10,000.
Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost Breakdown
This can be confusing, and these costs may not include French drains, sump pumps, etc. Let’s find out what makes encapsulation cost and what it does.
Contractors often suggest insulation based on the size and ventilation of your crawl space.
- Foam insulation boards for the side walls cost between $0.50 and $2 per board foot.
- Prices for fiberglass batt can be anywhere between $2 and $4 per square foot.
- When the installation starts, your contractor will cover the foundation walls with rigid foam board with an R-value and install insulation.
Generally, the vapor barriers make up a big part of the price.
- The price per square foot of a 15-20-mill vapor barrier can range from $1.50 to $2.50. The seam-sealing tape costs about $50 for a roll that is 4 inches wide and 180 feet long. Instead of thin 6-millimeter plastic, it’s better to use this.
People usually choose plastic over the vapor barrier because it’s cheaper. However, because it’s thinner, it can tear and ruin the work. A thicker plastic barrier is harder to tear, which is needed to keep water in.
How much it costs to put up a vapor barrier depends on the crawl space size. In addition, the quote from a crawl space contractor will include both the work and the materials. A vapor barrier is a plastic sheet that lines the floor and walls of a crawl space. It can be anywhere from 6 to 23 millimeters thick. This keeps moisture from getting in.
After your contractor fixes all the leaks in your crawl space, he or she will install the encapsulation. After that, they have to seal any outside vents or air leaks. Most vent covers can be bought online for between $15 and $22.
But contractors usually cut a rectangular piece of insulated board to cover vents and use spray foam insulation to seal air leaks around the vents and foundation wall penetrations. Your contractor may install vents that help keep the area dry if air conditioning from the inside can help keep the area dry.
Crawl Space Water Intrusion Management
Especially if you live in an area with a high water table, the drainage system around your home is essential. As part of your encapsulation system, your contractor may suggest that you put in a sump pump, which will cost about $1,100. (on average). The pump itself isn’t that expensive. A pedestal pump costs between $60 and $170, and a submersible pump usually costs between $100 and $400.
The pump must be strong enough to keep up when it rains hard. Additionally, the sump pump must sit in a bucket with a tight-fitting lid to keep water from pooling and evaporating back into the crawl space.
A commercial-grade dehumidifier is an essential part of an encapsulation system. Dehumidifiers can cost anywhere from $780 to $1,500, just the price without installation. Commercial dehumidifiers are big and made to handle a lot of moisture.
Crawl space encapsulation is a great way to save energy, clean your home’s air, and protect your investment in your home.
You can get cleaner crawl space air by controlling moisture and preventing mold growth. Crawl space encapsulation is not something most homeowners can do themselves. Therefore, you should hire professionals to do it.
Contractors and installers like to use the Crawl Space Extreme Makeover.
