Thermal Imaging... talk me out of it!

[klott]

There you go, several good reasons to get one and about 10,000 reasons not too. I have to admit, I really want one too, but I am surprised at the low fees charged for the extra service, I thought it was a lot more than $50 a pop.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by klott

There you go, several good reasons to get one and about 10,000 reasons not too. I have to admit, I really want one too, but I am surprised at the low fees charged for the extra service, I thought it was a lot more than $50 a pop.

I already charge $400 for a regular home inspection, so I bumped
up the charge $50 for the thermal imaging and then gleaned
the extra volume.

Most inspectors in this area charge from $175 - $300 per inspection.

People will hire me above my local competition because of the
thermal imaging. So in the clients mind, I charge approx. $150 - $275
more than the others who do not have thermal imaging.

So if I do 15 home inspections, it take them twice as many to
make the same money. I count the savings on my rural
travel time and gas at several hundred dollars a month, as well.

[Michael Larson]

John,

How much time does it add to the inspection?
on site______
report______

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by srowe

Yes John..confirmed... confirmed everywhere....

This should be an "IR Training Facility".

Here is the playroom, below deck (and triple window).

Excellent catch.... oh my....
would I hate to be with out my thermal camera on that baby.

[Carl A. Brown]

http://buildscanir.com/

Another source for cameras and info!

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by mlarson

John,

How much time does it add to the inspection?
on site______
report______

Thermal Imaging adds an average of 30 min on site time, more or less and
perhaps a 5 minutes on my report time to add the photos. I'm kinda
slow. I notice that I am getting getting faster and some houses are
only taking 15 min now.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by mlarson

John,

How much time does it add to the inspection?
on site______
report______

I find that it actually cuts down the inspection time.

I scan all walls and ceilings. I do this with a flashlight and moisture meter in hand. It also gives me a chance to walk the entire house and see things like where is the electric panel, the water shut-off, the bathrooms, the attic pull down or hatch and to get a general feel for thr house. Regular SFH time, about 15 minutes, but it shortens other times.

Finding things that I would not normally find and that would otherwise come back to bite me on the beg end...... PRICELESS!

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by wdecker

I find that it actually cuts down the inspection time.

I scan all walls and ceilings. I do this with a flashlight and moisture meter in hand. It also gives me a chance to walk the entire house and see things like where is the electric panel, the water shut-off, the bathrooms, the attic pull down or hatch and to get a general feel for thr house. Regular SFH time, about 15 minutes, but it shortens other times.

Finding things that I would not normally find and that would otherwise come back to bite me on the beg end...... PRICELESS!

I get so facinated looking at everything I forget about the inspection sometimes...

[David P. Valley]

Damn, I want this camera, right now. I'm pretty close to ordering the BCam and sign up for the training.

At least I can save flight costs: Flir is only a fifteen minute drive from my office. Getting to the training is not going to be the problem. It's the costs.

For those who are providing Thermal imaging or even those who are pondering on purchasing the camera, don't forget to sign up for their fantastic newsletter.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Damn, I want this camera, right now. I'm pretty close to ordering the BCam and sign up for the training.

At least I can save flight costs: Flir is only a fifteen minute drive from my office. Getting to the training is not going to be the problem. It's the costs.

For those who are providing Thermal imaging or even those who are pondering on purchasing the camera, don't forget to sign up for their fantastic newsletter.

Most banks encorage their business clients to take out SBA loans. They are government guarenteed, have low interest rates and are deductable through your company (especially if you are an LLC or corp). Since you are buying equipment, they are collateralized and the bank has little problem with them.

Just tru to pay them back faster than their term.

Hope this helps;

[Charley L. Bottger]

Greatest investment I have had in this business I find something on almost every inspection that might have been overlooked with as some would say a visual inspection. I don't leave Home with out it as a quote from JM

[Charley L. Bottger]

I performed a commercial mold inspect yesterday what a nightmare roof had massive leaks water intrusion into wall cavities mold growing on roof joist. Water had came down through the walls and traveled under the floor tile. When stepping on the tiles water would come up through the grout like a sponge

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by wdecker

Most banks encorage their business clients to take out SBA loans. They are government guarenteed, have low interest rates and are deductable through your company (especially if you are an LLC or corp). Since you are buying equipment, they are collateralized and the bank has little problem with them.

Just tru to pay them back faster than their term.

Hope this helps;

Thanks William. I have enough loans right now.

I'll be attending the next Building Science course in November. By then I'll have my camera for the classes.

[cgoyette]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Thanks William. I have enough loans right now.

I'll be attending the next Building Science course in November. By then I'll have my camera for the classes.

David,

Do you use Home-gage software? Also I may be attending the same class. My brother is in Westborough and I will be staying with him but I would like to get together on some of this if we do attend the same class.

Curt

[Peter Doane]

Originally Posted by srowe

My Inspection today. Seller had siding replaced and thinks there is still moisture behind hardie. The diverter flashing was added a couple of months ago... but the failing fiber trim boards have NOT been replaced. b.t.w., he just settled with trim manufacturer.

Shawn,
What camera do you use, those are some pretty clear images.