The attic insulation looks wonderfully deep from the hatch. At the roof edge, depth is not the only thing worth checking.
In a vented attic, the insulation and the incoming air need room to do different jobs. Piling one into the other's route is not an upgrade.
What a baffle actually does
A baffle maintains a passage near the eaves between the insulation and the underside of the roof. Natural Resources Canada's attic guidance describes preserving ventilation openings and keeping insulation from spreading over vented soffits.
The important word is passage. A channel ending at a blocked or unvented soffit does not establish an outdoor air supply. Ask the assessor to check the intake itself as well as the visible baffles.
Separate the roof-side and room-side work
Ventilation concerns the intended outdoor air route through a vented attic. Air sealing concerns leaks from the house into that attic. NRCan's air-leakage guide addresses those ceiling penetrations and connections.
A new baffle does not seal a leaky hatch or a plumbing penetration. More insulation does not establish that the air barrier beneath it is continuous. Have the assessment distinguish those tasks so the quotation does too.
Ask for evidence before the top-up
- Photos showing representative eave conditions and the actual intake route.
- Identification of blocked, missing, or damaged channels where relevant.
- The proposed baffle and insulation detail at the roof edge.
- Air-sealing work needed before the new insulation hides access.
- Confirmation that exhaust ducts terminate outdoors rather than in the attic.
Request photographs from the installer instead of entering a cramped attic yourself. Ceiling finishes are not a safe walking surface, and access can expose wiring or other hazards.
Do not redesign the attic from one photograph
Some roofs use an unvented assembly or have construction details that need a different approach. Establish the intended roof design before adding vents or cutting openings.
For a conventional vented attic, the useful result is a continuous, appropriate air route with the insulation kept in place. It may be a small detail in the quote. It should be visible in the before-and-after evidence.