All Vermonters are eligible for Efficiency Vermont weatherization rebates. Efficiency Vermont requires you to hire your own contractor from their approved contractor list. Prices and services may vary, so use this guide to help you choose the right contractor for you. Any contractor from Efficiency Vermont’s approved list will be able to enroll you in Efficiency Vermont’s rebate program.
Some New Hampshire residents are eligible for weatherization rebates through NHSaves. If you are eligible for NHSaves rebates, NHSaves will assign you a qualified contractor after your rebate application is approved. Pricing for NHSaves weatherization projects is preset by NHSaves and does not vary between contractors. You may, if you wish, request a specific contractor when submitting your NHSaves application.
Important Notes:
- You are hiring a contractor who will BOTH complete your energy audit, AND (if you choose to move forward) complete/coordinate your weatherization project.
- Don’t judge a company by its website. The best way to determine whether a company is a good fit for you is to call and talk with them.
- All NHSaves and Efficiency Vermont contractors are certified by the national Building Performance Institute (BPI) and subject to quality assurance checks by NHSaves or Efficiency Vermont. It is usually safest to hire a contractor who participates in either NHSaves or Efficiency Vermont programs, though there are some BPI certified contractors who do not.
Homework Before You Get Started:
Draft a brief summary of your home and weatherization priorities to share when you speak with prospective contractors. Include:
- Age, square footage, and style (e.g. cape, ranch, farmhouse)
- Brief description of insulation (e.g. type, age, condition, amount, if known)
- Your top concerns/priorities (e.g. reducing drafts, addressing ice dams, saving money, etc.)
Questions to Ask:
- Who does the energy audit? If possible, try to speak with the person who does the energy audits.
- What else does your company specialize in, besides weatherization? Some companies are all weatherization all the time. Others are general contractors and home builders who also do energy audits and weatherization.
- Who does the work? Do you have your own crews? Some companies have all their own crews and equipment. Other companies have energy auditors on staff and manage your project like a general contractor, hiring the right sub-contractors to meet your needs.
- How far out are you scheduling energy audits right now?
- How far out are you scheduling jobs right now?
- How much do you charge for an energy audit? Prices vary. Expect to pay several hundred dollars. Some contractors credit the audit fee toward your project if you choose to move ahead. Others choose not to charge for an audit at all if they can tell you are serious about weatherization. No matter what the price, an energy audit is worthwhile and is ALWAYS the first step in any weatherization project.
- What do you include in your audit reports? What DON’T you include in your audit reports? Do you have a sample report I can look at? In Vermont, every company has its own unique format/approach to energy audit reports. In New Hampshire, most contractors provide reports that mimic the standard report required by NHSaves for rebate program participants. The level of detail in the descriptions within an audit report will vary from company to company. Some are short and to the point, others more descriptive.
- Briefly describe your home and priorities, then ask whether they think they would be a good fit for your needs.
- How do you think your prices line up with other contractors (for the same work scope)?
- What makes you unique among weatherization contractors?