TOPIC: INFRARED???

Is investing in Infrared camera and training worth the cost? I realize it would be dependent on the student/inspector/individual, but I am trying to get a feel for the up and down side to using this in primarily a residential home inspection business.  ???

Yes, 100% worth it. Just make sure you go get trained too to get the full impact. I've heard tons of great stories about it increasing business.

Thank you for the reply. I posted the same question on the NACHI board and got only a couple reply's.

I am a little late here but if you need some info on IR feel free to call me # is on my web site

I bought a camera and got trained in 2007.  At that time, the camera was $300 per month on lease and $90 a month for insurance to cover it and all my other computer gear. Business was not exactly hopping back then but I always covered my nut with it.  Pure profit now that the 3 year lease is done. Bought out the lease for $1 at the end.
No regrets.

One caution...always buy the highest resolution camera you can afford. You will thank yourself later.  Low resolution limits the uses you can charge for and makes the images less compelling for the non-informed customer.  Flir's new technology is awesome for clarity and getting the info across to the client. If I buy a new one, that will be a feature that is a "must be". ;D

I intend on pursuing the IR path in the near future as well.  Something I heard that I thought was an interesting perspective is that even if your client doesn't order IR, or if you don't just include it as a value added service, it's still worth the investment as it will save you a significant amount of time crawling and probing with a moisture meter.  Whether your local market has a demand for IR or not, it sure sounds like your business will benefit from having it as a tool none the less. 

Anyone care to share what brand/model they're using?  I've been looking at the Fluke Ti110 personally.