Reviewed homeowner guidance
Start with the named lender, valuer or buyer's evidence request
Tell the named decision maker that spray foam is present, ask for the concern and required evidence in writing, and organise that material before considering irreversible work.
Identify who is making the decision
A lender, valuer, buyer, broker and solicitor have different roles. Start with the party whose requirement affects the live case and preserve its exact wording rather than relying on a general online lender list.
Sources for this section: House of Commons Library spray-foam briefingRICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation
Ask what concern the evidence must answer
Clarify whether the request concerns product and installation records, visibility of roof timbers, roof condition, moisture or ventilation, an independent report, proposed remedial work or evidence after work.
Sources for this section: RICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation
Gather the installation and roof record
- Installation contract and date
- Product or system identity and installer details
- Design calculations, warranty or guarantee where held
- Before, during and after photographs
- Previous surveys, roof work and moisture or ventilation records
Sources for this section: RICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation
Choose an assessor for the actual question
Ask about relevant competence, commercial independence, insurance, inspection access and what the report will and will not conclude. An inspection limit should remain visible rather than being converted into a finding.
Sources for this section: RICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation
Compare remedial scopes against the request
If an assessment or written requirement leads to remedial proposals, compare their purpose, access, method, exclusions, protection, waste route, records and follow-up. A generic removal certificate is not a substitute for the named decision maker’s request.
Sources for this section: Cornwall Council Trading Standards spray foam adviceRICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation
Preserve evidence and keep the outcome uncertain
Keep the original records, independent report, accepted scope, variations, photographs, invoices and completion evidence together. Cornwall Council advises that some installations do not require removal and that removal does not guarantee mortgage approval.
Sources for this section: Cornwall Council Trading Standards spray foam advice
Next steps
- Ask the named lender, valuer or buyer to state the concern and evidence request in writing.
- Gather installation, roof-condition and professional records against that request.
- Return any assessment or completion evidence to the same decision maker for a case-specific response.