Prudent Homes (703) 361-7600 is a full service insulation contractor established in 2003. We are one of the top rated contractors based in the Washington Metropolitan area. Servicing Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Prudent Homes is a 9 time Angie's List Super Service Award Winner. We are accredited by the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance in the science of spray foam building envelopes. We are Class A Residential Home Builder with a Class A Building Envelope Specialty Designation.
"It went great. They provided a quote in a timely fashion. Knowledgeable. No sales people. They know their stuff and offered me a great service at a great price. They were in and out in one day."
Arielle M on February 2025
Prudent Homes (703) 361-7600 is a full service insulation contractor established in 2003. We are one of the top rated contractors based in the Washington Metropolitan area. Servicing Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Prudent Homes is a 9 time Angie's List Super Service Award Winner. We are accredited by the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance in the science of spray foam building envelopes. We are Class A Residential Home Builder with a Class A Building Envelope Specialty Designation.
"It went great. They provided a quote in a timely fashion. Knowledgeable. No sales people. They know their stuff and offered me a great service at a great price. They were in and out in one day."
Arielle M on February 2025
USA Home Performance is a BPI-certified company passionate about transforming your home into a healthier, more comfortable, and energy-efficient space. We specialize in insulation, crawlspace, and basement services such as waterproofing and foundation repair. Our dedicated team prioritizes clean, safe air for your family, addressing pollutants and inefficiencies to create a living environment that promotes well-being while reducing energy costs.
"It was fine. They were prompt and gave me an estimate on the spot when they did the inspection. They came the next week or several days after and put in everything. I'll give them 5 stars but they never get back to me until now. It depends if depends if I'm going to use them again if they get back at me and answer all the questions that I have."
sharlene d on May 2021
USA Home Performance is a BPI-certified company passionate about transforming your home into a healthier, more comfortable, and energy-efficient space. We specialize in insulation, crawlspace, and basement services such as waterproofing and foundation repair. Our dedicated team prioritizes clean, safe air for your family, addressing pollutants and inefficiencies to create a living environment that promotes well-being while reducing energy costs.
"It was fine. They were prompt and gave me an estimate on the spot when they did the inspection. They came the next week or several days after and put in everything. I'll give them 5 stars but they never get back to me until now. It depends if depends if I'm going to use them again if they get back at me and answer all the questions that I have."
sharlene d on May 2021
Over 20 years of experience in the home comfort and efficiency field. We find solutions to the issues that your HVAC company can't. Dusty homes, hot and cold spots, high utility bills, drafty fireplaces, rooms above garages, cold floors, dirty carpet edges, and much more can be fixed by us. We provide "comfort and energy solutions".
"A total disaster. An inexperienced, untrained crew created more issues than I had before they began their work. My goal was to increase comfort levels in my senior-living, one-level home built on a slab that is super cold in the winter. I hate as a senior being taken advantage of. I was very naive. I have spent thousands and now am having to throw more good money after bad to try and make my home comfortable to live in. It is so bad; I am ready to sell! And I can’t afford to after all I have spent, without taking a loss on the sale. They dense packed my walls and now I am colder; in the process, they removed the flashing above my windows which now leak. I had to hire a window installer to replace the flashing that their incompetent crew removed. They failed to put back the siding properly, so it was hanging off my house. Once again, I had to hire a handy man to refasten the siding the crew removed while dense packing. And the dense packing was useless as it didn't enter the cavities that already had batt insulation. While spray foaming triangle boxes, boots, and plenum, they sealed off all my dampers resulting in zero air flow. They reluctantly came back and had to dig out the dampers that they had foamed over. In fact, they over-foamed at junction boxes, boots, and plenum so that HVAC techs couldn't even tune my system. There is 2 feet of foam, yet hot air is rushing out of the flexible ducts that weren’t sealed properly. Yet there remain gaps on my boxes, boots, and plenum. Just today, a HVAC tech walked me around the attic, and I could feel the hot air rushing into my attic at the junctions, boxes, boots, and plenums that are all wide open; that I paid to have sealed. I almost threw up; I am heating my attic! And the tech said it looks like a dog was in my attic as the Comfenergy crews failed to put back my blown-in fiberglass insulation they removed when trying to foam, so there is no insulation at the boxes and boots. They were simply careless and failed to rake it back and even out my insulation resulting in further cold spots I didn't have. In short, I now will have to hire another company to blow in more insulation and make sure it is even, so I don't have cold/hot spots. Additionally, they left the lights on in the attic, didn't replace the attic access foam barrier, and failed to seal the major penetrations including light cans/recessed lights and supply vents I paid for. Next came the bathroom exhaust fans; they were installed improperly and didn't vent because the outside flaps remained closed, while inside a cold draft came in my bathroom because the foam sealing, I paid for wasn't done properly. So now both my bathrooms are drafty. They were cold; now they are cold AND drafty. The HVAC tech today remarked he felt badly that I have two or more space heaters in every room, including the bathrooms! I strongly recommend carefully watching the crew if you ever choose to allow them to do any work for you. I trusted them. And I regret that. I was naive. I was cold. Rather I am still cold! I trusted their salesperson. The crew that did mine were either let go or quit. In fact, one of them still calls seeking to do side work. I politely declined. I suggest you do the same and seek a competent company that you can trust, does the work you paid for properly, and doesn't damage your home."
Charles K on November 2022
Over 20 years of experience in the home comfort and efficiency field. We find solutions to the issues that your HVAC company can't. Dusty homes, hot and cold spots, high utility bills, drafty fireplaces, rooms above garages, cold floors, dirty carpet edges, and much more can be fixed by us. We provide "comfort and energy solutions".
"A total disaster. An inexperienced, untrained crew created more issues than I had before they began their work. My goal was to increase comfort levels in my senior-living, one-level home built on a slab that is super cold in the winter. I hate as a senior being taken advantage of. I was very naive. I have spent thousands and now am having to throw more good money after bad to try and make my home comfortable to live in. It is so bad; I am ready to sell! And I can’t afford to after all I have spent, without taking a loss on the sale. They dense packed my walls and now I am colder; in the process, they removed the flashing above my windows which now leak. I had to hire a window installer to replace the flashing that their incompetent crew removed. They failed to put back the siding properly, so it was hanging off my house. Once again, I had to hire a handy man to refasten the siding the crew removed while dense packing. And the dense packing was useless as it didn't enter the cavities that already had batt insulation. While spray foaming triangle boxes, boots, and plenum, they sealed off all my dampers resulting in zero air flow. They reluctantly came back and had to dig out the dampers that they had foamed over. In fact, they over-foamed at junction boxes, boots, and plenum so that HVAC techs couldn't even tune my system. There is 2 feet of foam, yet hot air is rushing out of the flexible ducts that weren’t sealed properly. Yet there remain gaps on my boxes, boots, and plenum. Just today, a HVAC tech walked me around the attic, and I could feel the hot air rushing into my attic at the junctions, boxes, boots, and plenums that are all wide open; that I paid to have sealed. I almost threw up; I am heating my attic! And the tech said it looks like a dog was in my attic as the Comfenergy crews failed to put back my blown-in fiberglass insulation they removed when trying to foam, so there is no insulation at the boxes and boots. They were simply careless and failed to rake it back and even out my insulation resulting in further cold spots I didn't have. In short, I now will have to hire another company to blow in more insulation and make sure it is even, so I don't have cold/hot spots. Additionally, they left the lights on in the attic, didn't replace the attic access foam barrier, and failed to seal the major penetrations including light cans/recessed lights and supply vents I paid for. Next came the bathroom exhaust fans; they were installed improperly and didn't vent because the outside flaps remained closed, while inside a cold draft came in my bathroom because the foam sealing, I paid for wasn't done properly. So now both my bathrooms are drafty. They were cold; now they are cold AND drafty. The HVAC tech today remarked he felt badly that I have two or more space heaters in every room, including the bathrooms! I strongly recommend carefully watching the crew if you ever choose to allow them to do any work for you. I trusted them. And I regret that. I was naive. I was cold. Rather I am still cold! I trusted their salesperson. The crew that did mine were either let go or quit. In fact, one of them still calls seeking to do side work. I politely declined. I suggest you do the same and seek a competent company that you can trust, does the work you paid for properly, and doesn't damage your home."
Charles K on November 2022
The Drying Co. has been serving Greater Richmond & the Virginia Peninsulas since 2002. We are a Home Performance Contractor specializing in Attics, Basements, Crawl Spaces, Foundations, and Gutters. Our goal is to deliver comfortable, energy-efficient, durable, and healthy home & building environments for all of our customers. We understand that no home is exactly like another, so we take all the time you need to discuss your concerns and goals. We then perform a thorough inspection of your home and develop a plan to achieve your goals. We want to make sure our customers are comfortable with the recommendations we make, so we will spend all the time you need to answer your questions. Our services include; Attic & Home insulation, Basement Waterproofing, Crawl Space Repair & Encapsulation, Foundation Repair, Duct Insulation, Dehumidifiers & Sump Pumps, and Seamless Metal Gutters with Leaf Protection Options.
"Avoid them...their own intall tech walked into my house, looked at the work order and -incredulously- declared to me that 'whoever wrote this up...they were probably new. But this isn't going to solve your problem". That ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Drying Company completely botched the job. They failed to finish the work (offered some laughable small credit instead) and then sought civil remedy for an amount I don't owe. Oh, and they kept the deposit. To summarize: THEY BOTCHED A JOB AND THEN SUED THEIR OWN CUSTOMER. I was going to let sleeping dogs lie but now I'm going to use every consumer digital megaphone available. Just look at the photo! They were hired to spray foam my crawl space!! That's what they left...They claim this crawl space has been mitigated for pipes freezing."
Russ G on September 2023
The Drying Co. has been serving Greater Richmond & the Virginia Peninsulas since 2002. We are a Home Performance Contractor specializing in Attics, Basements, Crawl Spaces, Foundations, and Gutters. Our goal is to deliver comfortable, energy-efficient, durable, and healthy home & building environments for all of our customers. We understand that no home is exactly like another, so we take all the time you need to discuss your concerns and goals. We then perform a thorough inspection of your home and develop a plan to achieve your goals. We want to make sure our customers are comfortable with the recommendations we make, so we will spend all the time you need to answer your questions. Our services include; Attic & Home insulation, Basement Waterproofing, Crawl Space Repair & Encapsulation, Foundation Repair, Duct Insulation, Dehumidifiers & Sump Pumps, and Seamless Metal Gutters with Leaf Protection Options.
"Avoid them...their own intall tech walked into my house, looked at the work order and -incredulously- declared to me that 'whoever wrote this up...they were probably new. But this isn't going to solve your problem". That ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Drying Company completely botched the job. They failed to finish the work (offered some laughable small credit instead) and then sought civil remedy for an amount I don't owe. Oh, and they kept the deposit. To summarize: THEY BOTCHED A JOB AND THEN SUED THEIR OWN CUSTOMER. I was going to let sleeping dogs lie but now I'm going to use every consumer digital megaphone available. Just look at the photo! They were hired to spray foam my crawl space!! That's what they left...They claim this crawl space has been mitigated for pipes freezing."
Russ G on September 2023
500 employees. Cost is determined by the job. Travel charges may apply. Ask about Angie's List discount. Financing available. Additional locations - 2520 Urbana Pk, Ijamsville, Maryland 21754; 1910 Betson Ct, Odenton, MD 21113; 42521 John Mosby Hwy, Chantilly, Virginia 20152. Additional phone numbers - (301) 662-1600, (410) 793-0600 & (703) 471-0960. Additional fax numbers - (301) 874-5706, (301) 261-0643 & (703) 478-3545.
"Initial rep was great and informative. Felt comfortable with initial sale. Hardly had any contact from customer service except for the payments. There were several delays that we were not informed about unless we called to ask. Took 7 months before they showed up to begin project. Only 1 person was sent to build steps. Took a week. Hard worked, hardly took a break. Had to call again to see when they would come to pour patio. Never knew when they were coming, they just showed up. Hardly spoke with the homeowners. Inspection paperwork was just left on porch. Additional paperwork that is "required by the County" had to be completed by homeowner and taken to Court house to be notarized and filed and also provide a copy back to Long Fence. Time sensitive materials which added to homeowners to-do list. Gave this contract to LF on the surface of their history and appearance of a 'good local company' but should have stayed with original contactors in VA. Puddle of water forms when it rains"
Anissa B on February 2024
500 employees. Cost is determined by the job. Travel charges may apply. Ask about Angie's List discount. Financing available. Additional locations - 2520 Urbana Pk, Ijamsville, Maryland 21754; 1910 Betson Ct, Odenton, MD 21113; 42521 John Mosby Hwy, Chantilly, Virginia 20152. Additional phone numbers - (301) 662-1600, (410) 793-0600 & (703) 471-0960. Additional fax numbers - (301) 874-5706, (301) 261-0643 & (703) 478-3545.
"Initial rep was great and informative. Felt comfortable with initial sale. Hardly had any contact from customer service except for the payments. There were several delays that we were not informed about unless we called to ask. Took 7 months before they showed up to begin project. Only 1 person was sent to build steps. Took a week. Hard worked, hardly took a break. Had to call again to see when they would come to pour patio. Never knew when they were coming, they just showed up. Hardly spoke with the homeowners. Inspection paperwork was just left on porch. Additional paperwork that is "required by the County" had to be completed by homeowner and taken to Court house to be notarized and filed and also provide a copy back to Long Fence. Time sensitive materials which added to homeowners to-do list. Gave this contract to LF on the surface of their history and appearance of a 'good local company' but should have stayed with original contactors in VA. Puddle of water forms when it rains"
Anissa B on February 2024
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The only unbiased construction materials comparison marketplace. Find up to date pricing and apples to apples comparisons on common construction materials.
With two decades of experience, Thomas Riley at One Day at a Time is dedicated to providing a quality experience for any of your General Contracting needs.
With two decades of experience, Thomas Riley at One Day at a Time is dedicated to providing a quality experience for any of your General Contracting needs.
Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime once you see our quality work. We're passionate about delivering an exceptional experience. When you hire us, you're hiring a team of professionals who are trained and skilled to deliver lasting value to your home. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. We won't leave until the job is done right! Call or click to schedule an estimate today
"The service went well, they did a great job, they remove the trash on the property, was knowledgeable and friendly."
Jonathan W on January 2022
Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime once you see our quality work. We're passionate about delivering an exceptional experience. When you hire us, you're hiring a team of professionals who are trained and skilled to deliver lasting value to your home. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. We won't leave until the job is done right! Call or click to schedule an estimate today
"The service went well, they did a great job, they remove the trash on the property, was knowledgeable and friendly."
Jonathan W on January 2022
For over 35 years, American Home Contractors has provided exterior household services and upgrades across Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. American Home takes great pride in ensuring customer satisfaction and commits to delivering the highest quality of work when renovating any home.
"American Home Contractors and Hugo in particular were great to work with. We had multiple jobs done which required several trips and Hugo kept us informed and worked around several weather delays. He relocated and installed a new attic fan, hooked up the bathroom fan to a new roof vent, insulated a pipe in the attic, installed apron flashing on four windows, painted the flue vent, reconnected some lose siding and replaced three pieces of rotted trim and painted it. The work appears to be top notch and we appreciate the hard work and long hours Hugo put in! I would definitely recommend this company and most certainly Hugo to everyone. We also had American Home Contractors replace our gutters and install gutter guards. They did an excellent job with that as well."
Barry R on February 2025
For over 35 years, American Home Contractors has provided exterior household services and upgrades across Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. American Home takes great pride in ensuring customer satisfaction and commits to delivering the highest quality of work when renovating any home.
"American Home Contractors and Hugo in particular were great to work with. We had multiple jobs done which required several trips and Hugo kept us informed and worked around several weather delays. He relocated and installed a new attic fan, hooked up the bathroom fan to a new roof vent, insulated a pipe in the attic, installed apron flashing on four windows, painted the flue vent, reconnected some lose siding and replaced three pieces of rotted trim and painted it. The work appears to be top notch and we appreciate the hard work and long hours Hugo put in! I would definitely recommend this company and most certainly Hugo to everyone. We also had American Home Contractors replace our gutters and install gutter guards. They did an excellent job with that as well."
Barry R on February 2025
MASTER BUILDER, FINISH CARPENTER
MASTER BUILDER, FINISH CARPENTER
Yes, you should remove old insulation if it's damaged, contaminated, or deteriorated. Signs like water damage, rodent droppings, mold, or gaps mean removal is essential to maintain energy efficiency and a safe living environment. If the insulation is intact and functioning well, removal isn't necessary. However, compromised insulation can increase energy costs and pose health risks.
Attic insulation lasts 80 to 100 years; however, its performance starts to decline after 15 years. Insulation loses effectiveness as materials like fiberglass become dirty, wet, or affected by mold and other contaminants. Regular evaluation is critical because reduced insulation performance leads to higher energy loss. A professional inspection confirms when replacement is necessary, ensuring that your home maintains peak energy efficiency and comfort.
Excess attic insulation does not enhance energy efficiency beyond an optimal threshold. When insulation surpasses the necessary level for your region’s climate, additional material does not improve heat retention and may cause moisture buildup. Maintaining the correct balance is essential because over-insulation can lead to unintended issues without lowering energy costs. A professional assessment ensures that the amount of insulation is ideal for performance and efficiency, and helps avoid unnecessary expenses.
R-value is the measure of a material’s ability to resist heat transfer and directly determines insulation performance. A higher R-value means the material retains heat efficiently during winter and minimizes energy loss in warmer months. Selecting insulation with the appropriate R-value for your specific location is essential because environmental conditions and installation areas significantly influence energy efficiency. Over time, external factors like moisture may degrade the R-value, which underscores the importance of periodic evaluation.
Insulation damage occurs in several forms, including mold growth, pest infestations, water intrusion, and electrical harm. Damaged insulation compromises heat retention and significantly increases energy expenses while posing serious health risks. Immediate removal and replacement of compromised insulation are imperative to restore optimal performance and ensure the safety of your home. Regular inspections will identify these issues early, allowing for swift corrective action that maintains efficiency and protects occupants.