TOPIC: IR and investigative studies

I would say I receive about 1 call a week that a client has a specific situation that would involve investigative studies and using IR to help determine the cause and solution to there problem.

Yesterday I had one on Ghosting of the wall board and the outline of the framing.

Since I have no IR camera and training I have been sending these prospective clients away.

So my questions to the trained, skilled that due investigative studies how often do you do this type of inspection and is your report specific to the area in question?  I would think this would be a good way to use the new drawing sketch feature in HIP.

This type work makes up the bulk of our jobs.  Yes, the report is specific to the problem and area in question, but also depends on the prescribed scope.
The problem runs into what prospective clients are willing to pay for this time saving and non-destructive work.  Serious clients who understand the benefits don't have issue with the fees.  Clients searching for an easy and inexpensive solution to their often complex issues are another story.  It takes a bit more of "grooming" so to speak to win them over.

For instance, 3 weeks ago I bid a large commercial building project that has ongoing water intrusion concerns.  The contractor who has taken over repairs for the new building owner explained to me that many contractors have thrown repairs at the building, but nothing is working.  They now want to see if I can assist them in their repair efforts.  After scoping the building, I submitted 2 proposals. 1 for the immediate concern area, and one for an entire building scan.  They were taken aback by the fees I proposed. They expected my services to be a cheap quick solution.  They hesitantly said they would submit the proposals to the new building owner.  Yesterday, I received the "go ahead" for an initial partial scan, and if I confirm the moisture intrusion then the second whole building scan proposal will be accepted.

Regarding your ghosting call... IR would simply confirm what is already visible to the naked eye which is known as thermal bridging.

Don't doubt your capabilities... but do understand your limitations.

There are many jobs I have also turned away do to potential clients misunderstanding of thermal imaging.

That's a great question Dave. I have wanted to expand business into this area and take on exactly the type of IR jobs Bill is mentioning.  I would also liketo offer it as an added service for a fee during an inspection. Do you, Bill, or other guys like David Anderson who use IR include that in your residential inspections as a regular part or as a separate service?  Or are you saying most of your jobs are just to investigate and report on one component or problem for a fee?

Hi Cameron,
When performing a residential home inspection, I incorporate IR into my services. I charge more than most of the competition but I don't have to up sell a separate service... just my service.  I believe Mr. Andersen sells it as an add on.  So it really depends on how you want to approach it with your business model.  That being said, the majority of my business model has now morphed into strictly thermal imaging inspections rather than residential home inspections.  That has been my goal for quite some time.  Mr. Andersen is doing the same I believe. 
I urge, urge, urge you (and anyone else) to pursue quality education and equipment if seriously considering entering the IR field. It's necessary for the complexities, difficulties and various aspects experienced in residential and commercial applications.

I urge, urge, urge you (and anyone else) to pursue quality education and equipment if seriously considering entering the IR field. It's necessary for the complexities, difficulties and various aspects experienced in residential and commercial applications.

Absolutely. This would be a big step and a major finacial investment for my company. I've been reserching it off and on for the past year but I'm reaching a point where I need to take the first step and I think the education would be a good place to start. The question is, where and from whom?

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Jim Seffrin and Infraspection Institute.  They provide every aspect of IR training from Level I to III, and individual courses as well including electrical, building science, and they even have a great course specifically designed for home inspectors.  You can attend their courses in person or take their distance learning packets as well.  They are vendor neutral and don't focus on camera brands, but simply good education. I tell everyone looking to enter the field to take a course (preferably level I) prior to making any equipment purchase so you truly understand the technology and science and what all the facts and figures mean that the vendors give you in their marketing brochures.  This way you make an educated purchase decision rather than one based on some "creative" marketing or price alone.
FYI... Don't get conned by some of the lesser education providers advertising "cheapest camera prices for only our students...".  When it comes time to make the purchase, those deals (and better ones) are available through other means and sources.