TOPIC: IR and investigative studies

Mr. Warner has pretty much covered it top to bottom, and you can take that to the bank!

I initially used thermal imaging to reduce my liability in my home inspections. Just like the first time I purchased a moisture meter after a client did not heed my recommendations to remove, repair and reset a toilet that was located above the crawlspace with 13 inches of water below. I didn't crawl through the water (for safety reasons) to inspect below the toilet. The client felt that they were entitled for me to pay for their repair. As I didn't have a high dollar moisture meter, I went out and bought the best there was. I no longer "recommend" further investigation by someone else because of something that I "suspect". When I talk about it in my report its "a matter of fact"! Thermal imaging documents those facts.

Once I became experienced and educated I continued to use the camera on every inspection and put at least one thermal image in every home inspection report for marketing purposes to educate the public. If it was a more complex issue, I began charging for this as an additional part of the inspection.

With time, I evolved into Mr. Warner's business plan and do not do "basic home inspections" anymore (only to support those who have referred my services over the years). In most cases they involve thermal imaging and other inspections anyway. Actually, the last plain old home inspection that I can recall doing was last Thanksgiving.

As far as education is concerned, I will endorse Jim Seffrin as he has supported me over the years with technical support over the telephone and I have not yet taken a single course through Infraspection Institute.

Do not get wrapped up in the " Certification" process. Basically level I through level III is a continuation and evolves into more complex scenarios of the same process and eventually prepare you for a supervisory role for a thermal imaging program (in this case it your home inspection company). Once you start with one training company, I recommend you stick with them so you're not jumping all around. This is why I stuck with Flir ITC.

Should you consider ITC, it is also a vendor neutral training facility even though it is a subsidy of Flir. They support all manufactured equipment and applications.

ITC had a specific building science course for many years which compressed level I information into the course (but you're not level I certified). A good friend of mine who was the primary instructor told me last week that this course has been modified and added onto a level I certification course so it gives you the level I as well as the building science application. He stated that he sat in on one of these courses but at this point was not completely satisfied with the course.

As for equipment, all cameras have a specific purpose. Just because it's a thermal imaging camera does not mean it is designed for building applications. Contrary to popular belief, building thermography requires the best equipment you can afford because the majority of your scans are "indirect readings". This requires a more sensitive camera to achieve your purposes. We produce reports, and documentation with lousy resolution does not go well in your final product. Electricians, plumbers, roofers etc. only want to find the anomaly, they don't care about documenting it so they can get away with fuzzy blobs on the screen! If you buy a low-end camera, you will rapidly grow out of it as the need arises and you will end up losing your initial investment in the upgrade. No one wants a used camera for what you paid for it. You'll be lucky to get $1000 from a $4000 camera after one year. Technology improvements drives the value of your camera down very rapidly. The more you learn about thermography, the faster you become disenchanted with the equipment you own.

Marketing your thermal business should be your primary objective. Owning a camera does not make the phone ring. Potential clients do not understand thermal imaging for the most part. Simply offering thermal imaging with a home inspection does not justify the added expense in your client's perspective unless they understand the thermal imaging process or have a concern about a specific issue in the home they're looking at.

In your initial interview with the potential client, you must determine their concerns (many times the client has never considered any concerns). If they do not have a concern, such as "this house had a roof leak and I'm told it is repaired but I want to be sure that it's not" you will never upsell this service.

So be prepared to do a lot of "training" with your customers when they call.

Residential thermal applications are probably the lowest paying thermal job out there. However, there are generally two people that are going to live in that house that work someplace that can use your services and are willing to pay a significant fee to solve their problem. It beats cold call marketing!

Residential thermal applications are probably the lowest paying thermal job out there. However, there are generally two people that are going to live in that house that work someplace that can use your services and are willing to pay a significant fee to solve their problem. It beats cold call marketing!

Now that's some good foresight marketing!  Thanks guys for all that info, it's priceless. I'll have to look into those education providers, it would be a plus if some of the courses could be used for Illinois continuing ed.  I'm trying to be very purposeful about how i take this on, it's only the second major change I have really ever made to my business services(HIP would be the first!). Thanks again for the well thought out advice.

Cameron..too bad we're so far apart. I've been thinking through the same game plan.  There is actually and architect in town who started doing commercial IR work about a year ago.  I'll see how that aspect of his business is progressing

Great info from the pros, Dave A and Bill W know there Building Science.

Thanks!!

There is a discussion of this on Nachi too, with an interesting twist.?  The twist being that if you pull your IR camera out, even once, and you miss something anywhere else in the home (even if its hidden), you could have just increased your liability exposure.?  Good Point.? 

I use mine as a tool, but make very clear that the client has not paid for a full house thermal scan.?  This is a check-off in my inspection agreement, and documented where-ever the camera image shows up in the report.? 

If I'm taking on more liability due to using the IR camera as a tool, then I also want to be paid for it, & then also do the full-house scan, BUT- with a 50% adder to the cost of the inspection.? IR is not a commodity or marketing give-away, at least in my area.

The value of the training, skills, camera, increased liability, and work-> have to get paid for.

Just consider what a lawyer can do, if you have or advertise IR and then missed (or misreported) a hidden issue ANYWHERE in the house.  The IR tool suddenly takes you beyond "what's visibly observable".... It should be a big consideration as we proceed with it.

And there is some sound advice over there from some very qualified thermographers who don't have a stake in selling a quickie certification course or cheap cameras that ill prepares you for the real world of residential and commercial thermal imaging.
Certainly some things to think about...
I did an inspection last week that I knew would be reviewed by opposing attorneys. Being confident in my abilities and training helped me get the job and report completed.
I teach home inspections at a local college... one of the things I discuss on day one is for inspectors to perform their inspections and complete their reports as though an attorney is going to review it.... because it very well may be.