Crawlspace¶
Open access — capitalize for plumbing/electrical re-routes. Insulate after trades finish.
Locked¶
- Insulate the crawlspace; method TBD (see options)
- Sequence: plumbing + electrical + HVAC duct routing first, then encapsulate / insulate
Open / to price¶
- Confirm crawlspace dimensions (sqft, height — affects access for trades)
- Existing moisture / drainage — standing water, sump, vapor barrier?
- Existing insulation type / quality
- Vent strategy — keep vented vs. encapsulate (seal vents + condition)
- Pest / rodent history
- Heat pump duct or supply register down here?
Cost overview options¶
Insulation method (radio)
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Encapsulation + perimeter wall insulation (recommended) | $8–15k | Best for BC climate; protects PEX; treats crawl as semi-conditioned |
| Closed-cell spray foam under subfloor + rim joists | $6–12k | High R-value + air seal; doesn't help moisture |
| Batt under subfloor, vented crawl | $2–5k | Cheapest; cold floors above; less effective in wet climates |
| Skip — defer | $0 |
See main budget to toggle.
Refs¶
- Plumbing — poly-B replacement uses crawl access
- Electrical — new circuits run via crawl
- HVAC — high-velocity ducts may use crawl
Notes & context
- Open crawl is a major asset for this reno — re-routing plumbing (poly-B replacement, kitchen relocation, new main bath supply) and pulling new electrical runs (heat pump feeds, panel feeds, ethernet drops) is far cheaper here than through closed assemblies above.
- Sequence: plumbing → electrical → HVAC ducts → THEN insulate. Doing trades after encapsulation means re-opening encapsulation.
- BC climate: wet, cold winters favour encapsulation + perimeter insulation (sealed crawl, conditioned) over vented crawl with batt insulation. Encapsulation also protects the new PEX from cold.
- Existing condition unknown: moisture / drainage / vapor barrier / pest history all need confirmation before insulation method finalizes.