The short answer
Insist on a written guarantee, and ideally an insurance-backed guarantee (IBG) that remains valid even if the company ceases trading. A guarantee is only as strong as the firm behind it — if the company folds, an ordinary “workmanship guarantee” is worthless, whereas an IBG is honoured by an independent insurer. Check exactly what is covered, for how long, what voids it, and how to claim. In an unregulated sector, the guarantee is one of your few formal protections, so read it carefully before signing.
A guarantee can be reassuring or meaningless depending entirely on how it is structured. Spray foam removal involves disturbing a structural part of your home and then reinstating ventilation and insulation, so problems — if they occur — can be costly. Yet a guarantee from a small firm that later closes its doors offers no protection at all. This page explains the difference between an ordinary guarantee and an insurance-backed one, what good cover should include, and the questions that reveal whether a guarantee is worth the paper it is printed on.
Guarantees at a glance
- Best protection Insurance-backed guarantee (IBG)
- Why IBG Honoured even if the firm closes
- Must be Written, not verbal
- Check What's covered, duration, exclusions
- Sector Unregulated — the guarantee matters more
Workmanship guarantee vs insurance-backed guarantee
There are two very different things both called a “guarantee”, and confusing them is where homeowners get caught out. A workmanship guarantee is a promise from the company itself — it is only as good as the company’s continued existence. If the firm stops trading, the promise dies with it, and small contractors in an unregulated trade do close. An insurance-backed guarantee (IBG) is a separate insurance policy that sits behind the workmanship guarantee: if the company ceases trading, an independent insurer steps in to honour the cover for the remaining term. In a sector with no dedicated regulation, where firms can come and go, the IBG is the protection that actually survives a company going bust. Always ask, in writing, which type you are being offered — and if a firm offers only a workmanship guarantee, factor that risk into your decision.
What good cover should include
A guarantee document should be specific. Vague wording is a warning sign in itself. Look for:
- The scope of work covered — removal, reinstatement, ventilation and re-insulation, not just the act of stripping the foam. A guarantee that covers “removal” alone may leave the reinstated roof unprotected.
- A clear duration — how many years the cover runs, stated explicitly in writing.
- What voids it — the exclusions, any maintenance conditions, and anything you must do (or avoid) to keep it valid.
- How to claim — the process, the insurer’s name for an IBG, and any registration step you must complete (some IBGs lapse if you never register the policy).
- Transferability — whether the guarantee passes to a buyer if you sell, which can matter when selling a house where foam was removed.
Be alert to a few common pitfalls. A guarantee that quotes an impressively long term — twenty or twenty-five years — means little if it is a workmanship promise from a firm unlikely to exist that long; duration is only as good as whatever stands behind it. Watch, too, for cover that protects the removal but not the reinstated ventilation and insulation, because most things that can go wrong after removal involve moisture and the re-built roof, not the stripping itself. And check who actually holds the IBG: a reputable provider names the insurer and gives you a policy document, whereas a firm that cannot tell you who underwrites its “insurance-backed” cover may be offering a guarantee in name only. If any of these answers is evasive, treat the guarantee as a workmanship promise at best and price the risk accordingly.
| Feature | Workmanship guarantee | Insurance-backed guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Backed by | The company only | An independent insurer |
| If the firm closes | Worthless | Still valid for the term |
| Cost | Usually included | Sometimes a small fee |
| Registration | None | Often required to activate |
| Best for | Short-term confidence | Long-term protection |
How a guarantee fits your wider consumer protection
The guarantee does not replace your statutory rights; it sits on top of them. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service you pay for must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, and that protection applies whether or not a guarantee is given. Doorstep and distance contracts usually carry a cancellation period as well. So even a firm offering only a basic guarantee still owes you a competent job by law. If a company refuses to put right defective work or to honour a guarantee, you can escalate through trading standards or Citizens Advice. And if finance was used to pay for the work and you were mis-sold, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to help recover money. Treat the guarantee as one item on the wider questions checklist, not as your only safeguard.
What to do next
Before signing, get the guarantee terms in writing, confirm whether it is insurance-backed, check whether you must register it, and read the exclusions in full. Compare the cover across the firms on your shortlist as part of choosing a company. This page is general information, not surveying, structural, legal or financial advice; an independent inspection is essential before committing to removal.
Want firms that offer proper guarantees?
We can introduce vetted specialists who provide written, insurance-backed guarantees — after an independent assessment confirms removal is needed. The enquiry is free and there is no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What is an insurance-backed guarantee?
A guarantee underwritten by an independent insurer, so it remains valid even if the company that did the work later ceases trading — unlike an ordinary workmanship guarantee.
Is a workmanship guarantee worthless?
Not while the company trades, but it offers no protection if the firm closes. For long-term security, an insurance-backed guarantee is far stronger.
Does a guarantee transfer if I sell my home?
Some do and some do not. Ask whether the guarantee is transferable to a buyer, as this can matter when selling a property where foam was removed.
What if a company won't honour its guarantee?
You can escalate to trading standards or Citizens Advice. If the work was funded by mis-sold finance, the Financial Ombudsman Service may also be able to help.
Sources & further reading
- Property Care Association (PCA) — guarantees and insurance-backed guarantees for property works
- Citizens Advice — your rights when work is not done with reasonable care and skill
- GOV.UK — Consumer Rights Act 2015 (services to be performed with reasonable care and skill)
- Financial Ombudsman Service — complaints about mis-sold finance for home improvements
This guide is general information, not surveying, structural, legal or financial advice. Whether spray foam needs removing depends on the foam type, install quality, ventilation and your roof timbers’ condition, and an independent inspection by a RICS surveyor or qualified specialist (not a free survey from a company that profits from removal) is essential before you decide.