Insulation Removal & Replacement in Fort Myers, FL

Insulation removal and replacement in Fort Myers has been steady work since Hurricane Ian. Surge and flooding in 2022 soaked walls from Fort Myers Beach to the Caloosahatchee, and wind-driven rain and roof damage wet attics across Lee County. Insulation that has been soaked loses much of its value, can hold moisture against framing and drywall, and can carry odor. Roof rats and other pests are another common reason insulation needs to come out.

Common reasons to remove

• Flood damage in walls, usually removed along with the lower drywall
• Roof leaks that soaked attic insulation
• Insulation crushed or moved during roof and ceiling repairs
• Rodent nesting or droppings in the attic
• Mold or musty odor
• A planned sealed attic where floor insulation is no longer useful

How it is done

Attic loose fill is vacuumed through a hose straight into bags outside, keeping it out of the living space. Batts are bagged by hand. In walls opened after flooding, wet batts come out with the drywall. HomeAdvisor's June 2026 guide puts removal at $1 to $2 per square foot, a typical job at $600 to $1,200, and removal plus replacement at about $1,852 on average.

Dry before new insulation

Framing, block and drywall must be dry before anything new goes in. In flooded walls that can take time and fans or dehumidifiers. If there is mold, it needs to be cleaned up properly first. We check moisture before insulating and will not cover anything that is still wet.

Permits after flood damage

Lee County requires permits for repairs to buildings in the Special Flood Hazard Area, which it defines as land with a 1 percent annual chance of flooding. Substantial damage rules can also apply. If your insulation work is part of storm repairs, check with the county or your city before work starts.

Specialist materials

Suspect materials such as vermiculite are tested before being disturbed; positive results mean a licensed abatement contractor handles removal. HomeAdvisor lists asbestos removal at $1,190 to $3,255. Old, badly installed spray foam can be cut out, at $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot in HomeGuide's guide.

Reinsulating

In attics, we seal the ceiling and blow in to R-38 or more, or foam the roof deck if a sealed attic is the plan. In flooded lower walls, closed-cell foam resists water better than batts if it happens again. Removal and replacement are separate lines on the quote.

Tell us what happened and we will look and send a written quote. Get a free estimate