Have You Been Overcharged for Spray Foam Removal?
How to spot overpricing and what fair costs look like
The Overcharging Problem
Desperate homeowners facing mortgage rejections are being exploited by unscrupulous contractors charging 200-400% above fair market rates. With limited time and options, many pay £15,000-£25,000 for work worth £5,000-£8,000. This guide helps you identify overcharging and protect yourself.
Fair Market Rates (2025)
What You SHOULD Pay
Included in fair price:
- ✓ Complete manual removal of all foam
- ✓ Waste skip hire and disposal
- ✓ Site cleaning
- ✓ Lender-acceptable certification (usually)
Extra costs (legitimate):
- • Timber repairs if damage found: £500-£15,000 (real work required)
- • Closed cell foam premium: +30-50% (much harder to remove)
- • Emergency/expedited service: +20-40% (faster timeline)
- • London/South East location: +15-25% (higher living costs)
Red Flags: Signs You're Being Overcharged
1. "Emergency Pricing" Exploitation
The tactic: Contractor learns your sale has collapsed or mortgage rejected. Quotes £18,000-£25,000 for semi-detached removal (worth £5,000-£8,500).
Justification used:
- • "Emergency situation requires premium rates"
- • "We'll prioritize your job over others"
- • "Rush work is more expensive"
Reality: Legitimate emergency premium is 20-40%, not 200-300%. If quote is 2-3x normal rates, you're being exploited.
2. Vague "Labour Intensive" Justifications
The tactic: Quote doesn't break down costs. Just says "£16,000 total" with no itemization.
When challenged: "Spray foam removal is extremely labour-intensive. Takes 3 weeks with 3-man crew. Do the math."
Reality check:
- • Semi-detached removal: 3-5 days, 2-person crew = 60-100 man-hours
- • @ £40/hour labour: £2,400-£4,000 labour cost
- • Skip + disposal: £400-£800 | Materials: £200
- • Certification: £800-£1,500 | Profit margin (30%): £1,500-£2,000
- • Total fair cost: £5,300-£8,500
If quoted £16,000, you're being overcharged £7,500-£10,700
3. Inflated "Specialist Equipment" Charges
The tactic: Quote includes £2,000-£4,000 for "specialist foam removal equipment rental."
Reality: Manual removal uses hand tools (chisels, scrapers, brushes) costing £200-£400 one-time purchase. There is no £4,000 "specialist equipment."
If contractor claims expensive equipment needed, they're either lying or planning to use power tools (which lenders won't accept).
4. Fake "Certification" Markups
The tactic: Quote includes £3,000-£5,000 for "lender-compliant certification."
Reality: RICS/PCA surveyor certification costs £800-£1,500. If contractor charges £3,000-£5,000, they're pocketing £1,500-£3,500 profit on certification alone.
Request: "Please provide separate certification invoice from surveyor." If they refuse or make excuses, they're overcharging.
5. Pre-Emptive Timber Repair Charges
The tactic: Quote includes £5,000-£10,000 for "expected timber repairs" before even seeing timber condition.
Reality: 70% of properties need zero repairs. 20% need minor repairs (£500-£3,000). Only 10% need major work (£5,000+).
Legitimate contractors quote removal only, then assess timber after foam removed and provide separate repair quote if needed. Charging for repairs upfront = overcharging scam.
6. "Only Company That Can Help" Pressure
The tactic: "We're the only company in your area qualified to remove spray foam. Take it or leave it. Price is £22,000."
Pressure language:
- • "Other companies use power tools—lenders won't accept"
- • "We have exclusive partnership with certification surveyors"
- • "If you go elsewhere, you'll waste money on work that gets rejected"
Reality: Dozens of qualified removal contractors operate nationwide. "Only option" claims are always false. Get 3-5 quotes to confirm.
How to Protect Yourself
1. Always Get 3-5 Quotes
Why: Competitive quotes reveal market rate. If one quote is 2x others, you've identified overcharging.
Example quote comparison:
- • Contractor A: £6,500
- • Contractor B: £7,200
- • Contractor C: £6,800
- • Contractor D: £18,500 ← OVERCHARGING
- • Contractor E: £7,500
Fair market rate clearly: £6,500-£7,500. Reject Contractor D.
2. Demand Itemized Quotes
Request breakdown:
- • Labour (hours × rate)
- • Skip hire & waste disposal
- • Materials/equipment
- • Certification (from whom, separate invoice?)
- • Profit margin/overhead
If contractor refuses itemization, they're hiding overcharging. Walk away.
3. Verify Certification Costs Separately
Ask: "Who will issue the certificate? Can I contact them directly to verify cost?"
Call surveyor yourself: "How much do you charge for spray foam removal certification?"
If surveyor says £1,200 but contractor quoted £4,500 for "certification," contractor is stealing £3,300.
4. Don't Accept "Timber Repair" Charges Upfront
Proper process:
- 1. Contractor quotes removal only
- 2. Removal completed, timber revealed
- 3. If damage found, contractor provides separate repair quote
- 4. You approve repair work before proceeding
Any contractor charging £5,000+ for repairs before seeing timber is scamming you.
5. Check Contractor Reviews & References
Warning signs in reviews:
- • "Charged way more than other quotes"
- • "Added costs halfway through"
- • "Certification never provided"
- • "Work took 3x longer than promised"
- • "Final bill double the quote"
6. Never Pay More Than 20% Deposit
Standard payment terms:
- • Deposit: 10-20% (secures start date)
- • Progress payment: 30-40% at 50% completion
- • Final payment: 40-50% on verified completion
Contractors demanding 50%+ upfront are high-risk. May disappear or deliver poor work knowing you've already paid.
What to Do If You've Been Overcharged
If You Haven't Paid Yet
- 1. Refuse to pay final amount. Inform contractor you're disputing charges.
- 2. Get independent quotes. Show contractor what market rate is.
- 3. Negotiate down. Offer fair amount based on market rates.
- 4. Threaten small claims court if they refuse reasonable settlement.
If You've Already Paid
Options depend on amount and evidence:
Small claims court (up to £10,000):
- • File claim for return of overcharged amount
- • Provide evidence: quotes from other contractors, market rate data
- • Cost: £25-£455 filing fee
- • Success rate: Good if you can prove overcharging (2-3x market rate)
Trading Standards complaint:
- • Report to local Trading Standards office
- • They may investigate unfair trading practices
- • Can result in fines/prosecution for contractor
- • May not get money back but prevents others being scammed
Citizens Advice / Ombudsman:
- • Free advice on consumer rights
- • May facilitate mediation
- • If contractor is PCA member, complaint to association
Price Comparison Tool
Use this quick calculator to check if quote is reasonable:
Fair Price Formula
Base removal cost:
- • 40-60m²: £3,000-£5,500
- • 60-90m²: £5,000-£8,500
- • 90-130m²: £7,500-£12,000
- • 130-180m²: £10,000-£18,000
Legitimate additions:
- • Closed cell foam: +30-50%
- • Emergency service: +20-40%
- • London/SE: +15-25%
- • Difficult access: +10-20%
Maximum fair price (including all premiums):
Base cost × 2.0 = Upper limit
If quoted more than 2x base cost for your property size, you're likely being overcharged.
Bottom Line: Don't Be a Victim
Spray foam removal has fair market rates. Semi-detached properties should cost £5,000-£8,500, not £15,000-£25,000.
Desperate homeowners are targeted. Unscrupulous contractors exploit urgency to charge 2-4x fair rates.
Protect yourself: Get 3-5 quotes, demand itemization, verify certification costs, never pay for repairs upfront.