Question 1

Is your report accepted by mortgage lenders?

Accepted Answer

Lenders typically require a RICS valuation for a lending decision, which is a separate instruction we do not replace. Our independent technical report is built for disputes, mis-selling and Section 75 / FOS claims, IBG claims, removal decisions, and to support or complement professional advice. Many lenders and their surveyors find it useful context, but no inspector or report can guarantee a lending decision.

Question 2

Does spray foam insulation make a house unmortgageable?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically — but it significantly restricts your options. Research published in 2024 found that three quarters of the UK's biggest mortgage lenders and all equity release lenders surveyed would not lend against homes with spray foam in the roof. The lenders that will consider it typically require independent specialist documentation confirming the foam type, installation quality, and current condition. The majority of affected homeowners do not have this documentation — which is precisely what a SprayFoamCheck inspection provides.

Question 3

Why do mortgage lenders refuse properties with spray foam?

Accepted Answer

The core issue is not the insulation itself — it is what the foam hides. When spray foam is applied directly to the underside of roof timbers, it encases the wood completely, making it impossible for a surveyor to visually inspect the rafters, purlins, and joists for rot, woodworm, or structural movement. RICS guidance specifically instructs surveyors to flag this as a limitation. Most mainstream lenders treat a surveyor's inability to confirm roof structure condition as grounds to decline or significantly down-value the property.

Question 4

Can I sell my house if it has spray foam insulation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the buyer's mortgage lender will almost certainly require either independent specialist documentation or full removal before proceeding. Getting a SprayFoamCheck inspection before listing gives you documented evidence of condition that you can provide to buyers' solicitors — and potentially avoids the issue becoming a last-minute negotiating tool.

Question 5

Will spray foam affect my home insurance?

Accepted Answer

Some insurers treat spray foam as a material change to the property's roof structure, which can affect policy terms, void existing cover if not declared, or result in higher premiums. Declare spray foam to your insurer and ask specifically how it affects your policy. A SprayFoamCheck inspection report documenting foam type and condition may support your position.

Question 6

My EPC shows spray foam as an improvement — why is it now a problem?

Accepted Answer

EPC ratings measure thermal performance, not structural risk or mortgageability. Spray foam can genuinely improve an EPC rating — that part is accurate. The problem is that lenders assess mortgageability based on the structural inspection report, not the EPC. An improved EPC does not override a surveyor's concern about concealed roof timbers. These are different assessments measuring different things.

Question 7

What does a spray foam inspection actually involve?

Accepted Answer

Jan visits the property and carries out a full loft void inspection covering: foam type identification (open-cell or closed-cell), coverage mapping and defect identification, eaves ventilation and airflow assessment, calibrated moisture meter readings from accessible roof timbers recorded as %MC against published thresholds, psychrometric assessment of loft air condition (relative humidity and dew point calculated from dry and wet bulb temperature readings), documentation and warranty review, and cross-referencing against BBA guidelines, in line with PCA (Property Care Association) guidance for assessing spray foam. A full written report is normally delivered within 48–72 hours.

Question 8

How is this different from a free survey by a removal company?

Accepted Answer

A removal company's free survey is a sales visit. The assessor is paid when a removal job is booked — creating a direct financial incentive to recommend removal. A SprayFoamCheck inspection is a fixed-fee service from an assessor with no removal arm, no installation arm, and no commercial relationship with any company that profits from the outcome. The report also includes instrument readings — calibrated moisture meter data and psychrometric calculations — that a sales-focused free survey never includes.

Question 9

Can I use the report to challenge a removal quote?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If a removal company has told you that removal is necessary, an independent SprayFoamCheck report gives you documented instrument evidence of the actual condition. In many cases, homeowners discover that the removal company's assessment was incorrect or exaggerated. The report can be used directly to challenge the quote or to seek a second opinion with supporting evidence.

Question 10

How long does the inspection take and when do I get the report?

Accepted Answer

Reports are normally delivered within 48–72 hours of the inspection, depending on the current schedule. If you need it within 24 hours, an express option is available for an additional £50 — just mention it when Jan calls.

Question 11

Is the report suitable for my solicitor or mortgage broker?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The report is a professional written document with assessor credentials, inspection date, property address, photographic evidence, tabulated instrument readings, and a risk rating aligned with PCA (Property Care Association) guidance for assessing spray foam. It is structured to be used as supporting documentation in conveyancing files and mortgage broker submissions. It is not a RICS valuation report and does not replace one — but it provides the specialist layer that a general RICS survey does not include.

Question 12

Does the report guarantee my mortgage will be approved?

Accepted Answer

No — and any inspector who tells you otherwise is misleading you. The report documents the actual condition of the spray foam in your property — foam type, coverage, installation quality, timber condition, and moisture readings. That evidence is then in the hands of your lender, surveyor, or solicitor to make their own decision. In many cases a well-documented independent report resolves the concern and the mortgage proceeds. In others, the lender may still decline — particularly where closed-cell foam is present or where structural issues are found. Jan will tell you honestly what he finds, and what that is likely to mean — but the lending decision always sits with the lender, not the assessor.

Question 13

Does spray foam always need to be removed?

Accepted Answer

No — and this is one of the most important things to establish before spending any money. The PCA and HomeOwners Alliance have stated clearly that spray foam may not require removal where there is low risk or where other remedial measures would be more appropriate. The determination depends on foam type, installation quality, ventilation status, and moisture readings. A SprayFoamCheck inspection establishes this before anyone spends thousands.

Question 14

What does spray foam removal cost in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Current UK rates are typically £50–£85 per square metre. For a standard three-bedroom semi-detached, this is usually £3,000–£8,000 for open-cell foam and £6,000–£15,000 or more for closed-cell. A SprayFoamCheck inspection at £175–£295 is the most straightforward way to determine whether removal is genuinely necessary before committing to those costs.

Question 15

Can I just remove a small section to let the surveyor inspect?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. Lenders and surveyors generally require a full and clear view of the entire roof structure. A partial removal is unlikely to satisfy a lender's valuation requirements. A full independent specialist report from a credentialled assessor is what actually moves the situation forward.

Question 16

What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam?

Accepted Answer

Open-cell foam is softer, flexible, and more breathable. It is generally considered lower-risk because vapour can still pass through it. Closed-cell foam is rigid, forms an airtight seal, and adheres aggressively to roof timbers. It is harder and more expensive to remove and carries a higher moisture-trapping risk. Both types cause lender concerns because both conceal timber condition — but the risk profile, moisture behaviour, and removal complexity differ significantly. Identifying which type is present is the first thing a SprayFoamCheck inspection establishes.

Question 17

My foam was installed under ECO4 — does the government help with removal costs?

Accepted Answer

As of March 2025, the government confirmed there is no financial assistance for spray foam removal, even where it was installed under a government scheme. Homeowners with incorrectly installed foam are entitled to remediation by the installer or via an insurance-backed guarantee. Where that is not available, TrustMark can assist. An independent inspection report documenting what was installed versus what should have been installed may support a complaint or claim against the original installer.

Question 18

What qualifications does Jan hold?

Accepted Answer

Jan holds the ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment. Jan's ABBE Level 3 DEA qualification certificate is available on request. Jan has also completed PAS 2035 training — the British Standard for domestic retrofit assessment (course-completion certificate held; not registered with any scheme or body). Every inspection is carried out in line with PCA (Property Care Association) guidance for assessing spray foam. Jan has personally inspected 1,500+ lofts over the course of his career.

Question 19

What instruments and standards are used during the inspection?

Accepted Answer

Every inspection includes: a calibrated professional moisture meter recording %MC readings per timber location against PCA published benchmarks; a Protmex HT607 professional psychrometer recording temperature, relative humidity, dew point, and wet bulb temperature at the loft apex — establishing whether the loft environment is in a drying or wetting regime; cross-referencing of the installation against the relevant BBA certificate where documentation is available — identifying whether the installation complies with the product's own certification requirements; and documentation review covering warranties, installation records, and any paperwork provided by the original installer. No removal company's free survey includes all of these.

Question 20

Is SprayFoamCheck accredited or regulated?

Accepted Answer

SprayFoamCheck is an independent inspection service led by Jan, DEA qualified (ABBE Level 3). It is not a member of a professional body such as the PCA or RPSA, and does not hold an industry accreditation for spray foam inspection. Jan is not registered with any DEA accreditation scheme or professional body. Inspections are carried out in line with PCA (Property Care Association) guidance. Jan has completed PAS 2035 training (course-completion certificate held; not registered with any scheme) and holds professional indemnity insurance. SprayFoamCheck is also registered with the ICO as a data controller under UK GDPR (registration ZC185512).

Question 21

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

SprayFoamCheck covers North West England and North Wales — including Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales from Wrexham and Flintshire across to Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula. Most inspections are booked within the week. Call Jan directly on 07349 718935 to confirm your area before booking.

Question 22

How much does an inspection cost?

Accepted Answer

Once your date is confirmed, payment is by bank transfer before the inspection takes place. No payment is taken online. Fees are fixed — the price quoted is the full price. No VAT is added (SprayFoamCheck is not VAT-registered).

Question 23

I've had a cold call about spray foam removal. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Do not agree to anything, do not sign anything, and do not let anyone into your property based on a cold call alone. The Property Care Association has warned that rogue traders are posing as qualified surveyors — in some cases using fake PCA identification. Trading Standards has reported homeowners being charged £7,000–£20,000 for unnecessary or botched work following cold calls. Get an independent inspection from SprayFoamCheck first — at a fixed fee, from a professionally qualified assessor — before any removal company sets foot in your property.

Question 24

Can I claim back what I paid for mis-sold spray foam?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes — typically via Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (where you paid by credit card or finance), via the Financial Ombudsman Service if your complaint is rejected, or via an Insurance-Backed Guarantee if one was issued. Each route requires independent technical evidence: what was actually installed, how it compares to the relevant BBA certificate conditions, and whether the paperwork that should exist is present and valid. SprayFoamCheck produces that evidence in a format claims firms, ombudsman case handlers, and IBG underwriters recognise. The report does not guarantee a refund — that decision rests with the credit provider, ombudsman, or insurer.

Question 25

My spray foam installer has gone out of business — can I still claim?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. The workmanship warranty issued by the installer is unenforceable once they cease trading, but two routes typically remain. If an Insurance-Backed Guarantee was issued at the time of installation, the underwriter remains liable — closure of the installer does not extinguish the cover. If you paid by credit card or finance, the credit provider is jointly liable under Section 75. Both routes require independent technical evidence, which is what the Installer Ceased Trading evidence report is built to provide.

Question 26

Can your report be used as evidence for a Section 75 or Financial Ombudsman complaint?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The report is photo-referenced, BBA certificate-mapped, fact-vs-opinion separated, and produced by a DEA-qualified assessor with no commercial relationship with any installation or removal company. It is structured specifically to be submitted as supporting evidence to a credit provider under Section 75, to the Financial Ombudsman Service, or to an Insurance-Backed Guarantee underwriter. Whether the claim succeeds is for them to decide — but the report gives that decision-maker the independent evidence they need to act on.

Question 27

What is an Insurance-Backed Guarantee (IBG) and how do I claim on it?

Accepted Answer

An Insurance-Backed Guarantee is an insurance policy issued at the time of installation that mirrors the installer's workmanship warranty — typically 10 years. If the installer ceases trading, the IBG underwriter steps in. To claim, you contact the IBG administrator with the policy reference and supporting evidence: the original installation certificate, photographs, and an independent technical report documenting the defect against the relevant BBA certificate. The SprayFoamCheck Installer Ceased Trading report is produced in a format IBG administrators recognise.

Question 28

Has my equity release or later-life mortgage been refused because of spray foam?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly the spray foam is a factor. Research published in 2024 found that all equity release lenders surveyed would not lend against homes with spray foam in the roof, and three quarters of the biggest mainstream mortgage lenders would decline as well. Lenders that will consider it typically require independent specialist documentation confirming foam type, installation quality, ventilation status, and timber moisture readings. The Spray Foam Mortgage Problem report is built to provide that documentation — for both standard mortgage and equity release / later-life lending applications.

Question 29

Why are all our reviews on Google?

Accepted Answer

Simple: Google reviews are the one thing we can't control. We can't edit them, hide them, or choose which ones you see. Every review comes from a verified Google account and is published unedited, in public, where anyone can read it. We built SprayFoamCheck on independence — no removal arm, no referral fees — so our reviews sit on the one platform where we have no say over what's shown. If a review site let us filter or curate, it wouldn't prove anything. Still on the fence? Don't take this page's word for it. Read what other homeowners wrote, straight from the source — then decide.

Been told your spray foam must come out?

Independence Guarantee

Is this the right service for you?

You paid for spray foam and now believe it was mis-sold

Your spray foam installer has gone bust

You've been cold-called or quoted for removal

Foil insulation installed or mis-sold

You need an independent condition record post-removal

Damp, condensation or workmanship concerns

A lender, surveyor or solicitor has flagged the loft

The spray foam problem is bigger than most homeowners realise — and it is still growing.

of major UK lenders won't lend

of inspected homes had defects

potential property value reduction

charged by rogue removal traders

Government action is happening — but most homeowners are still unprotected

Six services. One independent assessor. Whatever stage you are at.

Spray Foam Inspection

Spray Foam Mortgage Problem

Pre-Sale Loft Inspection

Loft Condition Report

Post-Removal Verification

Post-Removal & Insulation Verification

Areas We Cover

How does SprayFoamCheck fit into the picture?

What our clients say

Why are all our reviews on Google?

An inspector with no interest in what you do next.

What people are searching for — answered directly

About spray foam and mortgages

About the inspection and report

About removal and alternatives

About SprayFoamCheck specifically

Disputes, claims and IBG

About our reviews