In many of these cases, what initially appeared to be a cost-saving decision has turned into a financial and emotional nightmare.



“It Seemed Too Good to Be True”

We regularly speak to homeowners who tell us the same story:

• The quote was dramatically cheaper than others
• The company assured them the job was simple and routine
• No detailed method statement or risk explanation was provided
• They were told roof damage was “unlikely” or “not a concern”

Partway through the works, everything changed.

Homeowners report being informed that the roof felt or membrane had been damaged during removal, making further work “essential” before the job could continue.

The result?
A removal job that started cheap suddenly became thousands of pounds more expensive, with urgent roofing repairs presented as the only option.

Damage to Roof Felt: A Known Risk, Not a Surprise

Removing spray foam insulation — particularly closed-cell foam — is a high-risk process when carried out incorrectly. When removal is rushed, poorly planned, or undertaken by inexperienced operators, damage to roof felt, membranes, or timbers is a very real possibility.

What concerns us is not that damage can happen — but that in many of the cases reported to us:

• The risk was not properly explained upfront
• The original quote did not account for careful, controlled removal
• Homeowners were left feeling cornered mid-job

Whether this damage was the result of genuine lack of experience or something more calculated, we cannot and do not speculate.

But the outcome for homeowners is the same.

From “Affordable Fix” to Full Roof Repair

We have heard multiple accounts where homeowners felt they had no realistic choice once removal had begun. With insulation stripped back, sections of felt compromised, and the roof exposed, they were told:

• The roof was now “unsafe”
• Works could not stop without leaving the property at risk
• Full or partial roof replacement was required

In some cases, homeowners described feeling pressured to approve additional works immediately, often at prices far higher than expected — and far higher than they would have agreed to had this been clear at the quoting stage.

Why Unrealistically Cheap Quotes Are a Red Flag

Spray foam removal is labour-intensive, slow, and technically demanding when done correctly. Proper removal involves:

• Controlled cutting and separation
• Protection of roof structures and membranes
• Time-consuming inspection and repair of minor defects
• A clear plan for what happens if issues are discovered

When a quote is significantly cheaper than the market norm, something is usually missing — time, care, experience, or contingency planning.

That gap is often where homeowners end up paying the price.

The Real Cost Is Not the Quote — It’s the Outcome

The most distressing aspect of the cases we hear about is not just the financial impact, but the loss of trust and peace of mind.

Many homeowners came into the process already under pressure — dealing with mortgage problems, lender demands, or property sales falling through. Instead of resolution, they found themselves facing:

• Escalating costs
• Incomplete or halted works
• Roof damage they never budgeted for
• Disputes with contractors

What was meant to be a solution became a far bigger problem.

Our Advice to Homeowners

At the Spray Foam Advice Centre, our advice is consistent:

• Be cautious of quotes that are dramatically cheaper than others
• Ask how roof felt will be protected
• Request a clear written process for removal
• Ensure the quote explains what happens if damage is discovered
• Never rely on verbal assurances alone

Cheap removal can be the most expensive decision you make.

Final Thoughts

We are not suggesting that all low-cost quotes are deliberately misleading, nor are we accusing companies of wrongdoing. However, the volume of similar stories we hear raises serious concerns about how some removal jobs are being quoted and carried out.

When insulation removal is rushed or underpriced, the risk is shifted — not removed. And too often, that risk lands squarely on the homeowner.

If a quote looks too good to be true, it usually is.