Small Loft Insulation Clear-Out: 12m² Case Study

Back to loft insulation removal Small loft cleared of old insulation back to the joists

Loft size: 130 sq ft (12m²)
Old insulation: About 100mm deep
Bagged volume: About 1.5m³
Sacks: 35 to 45 × 50-litre
Smallest sensible skip: 4-yard midi
The work: Strip-out and clear

The Job

A small loft of about 130 sq ft (12m²) with roughly 100mm of old insulation to come out. The strip-out on a loft this size is quick. The real decision is how to get the waste away without the disposal costing more than the work.

Sizing the Waste

We size the waste before quoting, from the loft area and the depth of the old insulation. 12m² at 100mm is about 1.2m³ of settled insulation. It fluffs up as soon as it is disturbed and gets squashed back down into sacks, so we plan on about 1.5m³ bagged: 35 to 45 of the 50-litre sacks, plus a few spare.

Skip or Van?

A 2-yard mini skip holds about 1.5m³, so it would have been full to the brim with nothing to spare, and a 4-yard midi is the realistic smallest. But 40-odd sacks also fit in a single van load to a licensed waste site, which on a job this size is often cheaper than any skip. We price both and quote whichever costs the customer less. Some skip firms also charge extra for bagged insulation or won't take it, so check before you book one yourself.

What We Did

Bagged all of the old insulation in the loft.
Carried the sacks out and loaded them for disposal.
Vacuumed the loft back to the joists.
Disposed of the waste through a registered waste carrier, with a waste transfer note.

The Result

The loft was cleared back to the joists, with the old insulation bagged and gone. Removal-only clear-outs like this start from £499, and if you want the loft refilled we can lay new insulation to 270mm or deeper in the same booking. See the loft insulation removal cost guide, or send a couple of photos through the quote form.