Home Depot now rents out Flir cameras

[David A. Andersen]

I can't wait! This is a great opportunity!

The biggest problem with thermal imaging is that everyone under the sun doesn't know anything about it! With Home Depot marketing the market, people will become aware.

I had a real estate agent that uses me frequently go out and rent a camera so him and his buddy could evaluate a glass greenhouse that th they own. After watching me do several inspections with the camera he figured it was going to be "a walk in the park"!

He was the first one to admit that it ain't what it appears to be!

Also, we need to let the guys down in Mississippi know about this so that they can send out some more paper to all the home depots about the use of thermal imaging for moisture detection, air infiltration and pest identification!

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Also, we need to let the guys down in Mississippi know about this so that they can send out some more paper to all the home depots about the use of thermal imaging for moisture detection, air infiltration and pest identification!

I guess Home Depot will be getting a letter from HomeSafe now...

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by dandersen

I can't wait! This is a great opportunity!

The biggest problem with thermal imaging is that everyone under the sun doesn't know anything about it! With Home Depot marketing the market, people will become aware.

I had a real estate agent that uses me frequently go out and rent a camera so him and his buddy could evaluate a glass greenhouse that th they own. After watching me do several inspections with the camera he figured it was going to be "a walk in the park"!

He was the first one to admit that it ain't what it appears to be!

Also, we need to let the guys down in Mississippi know about this so that they can send out some more paper to all the home depots about the use of thermal imaging for moisture detection, air infiltration and pest identification!

Exactly David...

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

after all Dave they do own delta t

[James E. Braun, CMI]

They even provide some training according to the Home Depot website. Makes just go

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Please remember you can use it as part of your business strategy.
The home owner looking to rent this item still has to get past the hurdles of use, sellers agreement to use, and everything else that goes into the HI. Wiring, plumbing, structure and defect recignition.
Turn it around to your advantage.
So you do not have to carry a large investment tool and drop $9000 plus on a possible too.
If you enter the IR nech market you now have the experience and have tried the product.
Love the idea.
.

[Sean Fogarty]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

I guess Home Depot will be getting a letter from HomeSafe now...

[kweiss]

Originally Posted by jbushart

From my observation, there are inspectors who have built their entire marketing plans around a particular tool that they use and... importantly... that others don't. The availability of the tool to the general public renders this marketing strategy moot.

I disagree.

There will always be the exception, but most of my clients understand that practical knowledge and experience matter here. I have done at least 6 inspections for people who had access to IR cameras. In a couple cases, better cameras than mine, they all completely understood that they did not know how to use it in a house. They also had no problem paying me more than many of my competitors because they completely understood the value of training. For the segment of the population that are dye in the wool DIYers and would rather rent the camera, so be it. I probably didn't need the hassle. For the inspectors that might go rent one from time to time, and waste their money, who cares? They are not really competing with me anyway.

As far as the cheapo rental - I already have to deal with that in my area. There are several guys around with bottom of the line bare minimum cameras that cannot see s**t unless there are perfect conditions, but they can advertise having IR. One more thing to talk about when making the sale to the client.

Just like the dishonest inspectors that claim IR is all smoke and mirrors that adds nothing to the inspection - which could not be farther from the truth. I love it when I have a soon to be client say, "I have talked to several other inspectors who say IR is just a gimmick. They guarentee they can find anything you can even though they do not have a IR camera." It is a easy sell to save them from hiring those dishonest or misinformed inspectors. Because I know for a FACT that I routinely find problems with my IR that they would NEVER FIND. Yes, it is important to confirm findings with other methods, but if you do not know the problem is present, it is a little hard to put your moisture meter on it. Or the countless, yes countless, homes I have inspected that had significant missing insulation in completely inaccessible areas. I guess those guys see through walls or something or they just lie about their findings like they lied to get the job. Thankfully, from my experience they don't convince most clients.

IR is a tool. But it requires knowledge, experience and training to properly use this tool. In the long run, this will help my business, because it will help market the technology.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Mr.Wiess.
I agree with you. You have a keen sense of the market place and everything that is going on in the HI industry.
From marketing strategy to plain observation of whom is capable of using such a device to fully understand its enormous INVESTIGATIVE potential when used PROPERLY.
It means neither here nor there and should not reflect any major shift in the HI industry.
DIY'S are just that. Do it yourself'es.
Nothing to get your shots in a knot about.

[John E. Mullarkey]

I agree with Kevin as well. Having Home Depot advertise and promote IR will only help our trade. They rent jack hammers, ditch witch, tile cutters and a bunch of other stuff...........just had a thought. I was finishing a kitchen re model a few years back when the client asked for a few other "extras" she was willing to pay me and was a very good customer. I told her Mary, this one is too easy, save a few dollars and let your husband do it. I was just tring to be nice to a good customer. Her reply was.............

JOHN, if my husband picks up a hammer I immediately dial 911 and then you!

So lets enjoy the free marketing the HD will be doing for us.