A bit of advice

[John McKenna]

FLIR offered me the Level I course in my area for free. I never went
to the class because I felt it would be too boring. My class already covers
about 80% of what they teach and concentrates on what you really
need to do a home inspection. Sorry if that makes some people mad
at me, but that is how I feel about it. I originally took the building
science course from FLIR and even my teacher didn't think much of
Level I when it comes to building inspectors. Level I was written over
10 years ago and does not deal with the subject matter that building
inspectors need on a daily basis. When I sat in class with Level II, and
Level III thermographers who said they could not do a home
inspection, I realized then that all those titles mean nothing in the
real world if it does not help me do my job. That is why FLIR created
a newer class tailored to building science... IMHO.

If you like it, that is cool with me.

[Donald T. Belmont]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

FLIR offered me the Level I course in my area for free. I never went
to the class because I felt it would be too boring. My class already covers
about 80% of what they teach and concentrates on what you really
need to do a home inspection. Sorry if that makes some people mad
at me, but that is how I feel about it. I originally took the building
science course from FLIR and even my teacher didn't think much of
Level I when it comes to building inspectors. Level I was written over
10 years ago and does not deal with the subject matter that building
inspectors need on a daily basis. When I sat in class with Level II, and
Level III thermographers who said they could not do a home
inspection, I realized then that all those titles mean nothing in the
real world if it does not help me do my job. That is why FLIR created
a newer class tailored to building science... IMHO.

If you like it, that is cool with me.

I'm with you John. What lets me use IR effectively is my knowledge of building science not theoretical knowledge about thermography. Your class formalized what I already knew about IR. And included useful information on practical manipulation of the Delta T so an effective IR scan could be done. At an affordable price as well.

Don't anyone think I'm saying you don't need knowledge. But knowledge is available from many sources, not just proprietary classes which I believe have making a profit from training as their first priority. One of my complaints about the IR training available is cost versus actual utility. And the fact that the so called certifications are only available by taking their course. As if the knowledge offered is unique which it is not.

My own experience is that your class is sufficient for any reasonably intelligent person to add thermo to their home inspection business.

[Michael A. Gillingham]

Jason,
You have a valid point about some Realtors not wanting inspectors to find more stuff. I have been slowly leading on about IR to Realtors and have received a mixed review. Some were really exited and others were, well not so exited. Ben also has valid points about the marketing aspect and most importantly better serving our clients by using IR in inspections.

I wont bring religion into this but I can bring some reality into it. Christ once said "cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find." If someone is not dedicated to their clients best interests are they really someone we want to do business with? Food for thought.

I would like to learn more about how to market this technology both in the arenas of home inspection and perhaps grow into other arenas as Jason has described.

I like Ben and believe he has our best interests at heart. I also believe that Jason sees a great potential for the technology.

Here is where the rubber meets the road. If I can get more inspections, make more money, and be a blessing to my family and others by including IR in my forte', Then I am there!!!

Mike

[David A. Andersen]

Enough has been said from the extremes of both sides of the road so I will comment on a perspective which has not been addressed.

This is a new technology and being such the full capabilities are not understood by the general public or many thermal imaging camera owners. It appears that you are looking for a decisive return on your investment in a reasonable period of time. You may or may not find this. It depends on the unpredictable future ahead of us. You made a good point that purchasing equipment and training may cost thousands of dollars more than you intend. And you are correct in assuming that you are not going to recoup an immediate return on your investment.

You have invested a lot of time and resources in home inspection and other ancillary services. This is just another one of those. I got into radon testing because that is what the majority of my clients required conjunction with a home inspection 12 years ago. Today, I only do about 3% radon testing in the buildings I inspect. I purchased equipment, was EPA certified in measurement testing and then mitigation. Today homebuyers in my area are not afraid of radon so much. I'm getting very little return on my past investment at this point. But education is never wasted! Today we cannot turn on the television without hearing about energy efficiency and cost! There is a new paradigm on the horizon.

My point is that clients are not going to make your phone ring off the hook when they hear that you have thermal imaging camera. You are going to have to market to them and teach them the benefits of this technology. So if you're not into marketing to make the phone ring you may reconsider. If you don't have the time right now to invest, the timing may not be right. As Ben pointed out, eventually this technology will reach the lips of every home buyer in the United States (because of all of the current home inspector's marketing their camera). When this happens, whoever is not on board will be left in the dust.

A couple other points.
Upsetting Realtors: You will only make realtors upset when you use this camera technology inappropriately. Meaning that you overwhelm everyone with what you're seeing through the camera. Every house out there has significant deficiencies visible with a thermal imaging camera. Select your battles and don't make too big a deal out of everything you see. All doors leak air. You need a source of ventilation from somewhere so it may as well be from under the front door. You can show them how much air is coming in but you don't always have to make a big deal out of it.

Certified instructors: this is a self regulated industry. There is certified and then there is certified. Choose carefully.

Which equipment and training: all "training" is relevant. Any thermal camera will detect thermal anomalies. The extent of your desired professionalism will dictate which camera and training program you choose. The more professional "Certification" programs out there require continuing education and recertification and is a continuous "progression" in the industry. Some Certifications give you a piece of paper for your tuition and require nothing more.

If you are doing nothing more than a home inspection, and promise to never turn the camera on anything besides a house you can get into this program for $2500.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Mike,

Talk to Kevin Richardson, Bill Warner, Charley Bottger, and Will Decker on the NACHI board here. Those 3 and a ton of others on the board here are doing quite a few IR inspections. In fact I heard from several that when their home inspections died down, their IR is what held them over.

[Jim Seffrin]

Originally Posted by mgillingham

I would like to learn more about how to market this technology both in the arenas of home inspection and perhaps grow into other arenas as Jason has described.

Here is where the rubber meets the road. If I can get more inspections, make more money, and be a blessing to my family and others by including IR in my forte', Then I am there!!!

Mike

Dear Mike:

If you are interested in learning how to successfully market infrared inspection services, I would invite you to check out Infraspection Institute's online short course, Starting, Marketing, and Managing an Infrared Consulting Company.

This narrated 40 minute presentation is intended for anyone wishing to start an infrared consulting business or to expand the service offerings of an established business. It is designed for both beginners and experienced thermographers.

Only your efforts will determine if you will win more home inspections as a result of thermal imaging. However, the opportunities for a qualified thermographer who performs commercial inspections are significant.

Since I remain a principal in the infrared inspection firm I co-founded in 1984, I can assure you that the $200,000 figure for annual revenue that I previously provided is a conservative figure. Our consulting firm employs seven thermographers with nearly all performing up to five inspections per week.

For home inspectors who expand into the commercial arena, the good news is this:

• Commercial IR inspections command a daily rate of up to $1200 per day
• IR inspections of commercial facilites are usually multi-day projects
• Most types of commercial inspections repeat annually
• Repeat inspections build a dependable revenue stream and equity in your business
• Sales of commercial inspections are far more profitable than IR inspections of single-family homes

As an experienced home inspector, you already have two distinct advantages over others. First and foremost, you already have an established business and a client list. Secondly, you understand buildings, building subsystems, and how they interact with each other.

These skill sets, combined with appropriate training and experience, can help you take your business to entirely new places. I admire your cautious approach and would advise you to remain so especially with your training.

Establishing your credentials and maximizing your revenue stream will require an investment in proper training. While Infraspection Institute training is not the cheapest, we provide comprehensive training that will allow you to begin working immediately. All courses are taught by experienced, successful thermographers whose goal is to help you succeed both during and after a class.

Feel free to give me a call if you require further information or if I can be of further help.

Jim Seffrin

Infraspection Institute
425 Ellis Street
Burlington, NJ 08016

609-239-4788

Infraspection Institute
SuccessIRies.com
IRINFO.ORG

[David A. Andersen]

Pay attention here...

Check out all of your options at (you will do us both a favor):

http://www.thermalimagingscan.com/In...r-Training.htm

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Pay attention here...

Check out all of your options at (you will do us both a favor):

http://www.thermalimagingscan.com/In...r-Training.htm

I'm not sure that link goes to a functioning page...