Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Why do not I charge for infrared scanning (thermal imaging)?

Let's try to answer some questions first:


  1. Can infrared camera really see what's behind wall lining or cladding?
  2. Can infrared camera really see any moisture behind lining or cladding?
  3. Can infrared camera really see the timber condition behind lining or cladding?
  4. Can infrared camera really tell if something is built wrong?
  5. Can infrared camera really tell if building workmanship is good or not?
  6. Can infrared camera really tell if something is built in accordance with building standards?
  7. Can infrared camera really know if any potential risks when something currently weathertight?
  8. Can infrared camera really know if something currently dry but was not weathertight in the past?
  9. Can infrared camera really know the source of moisture if it does detect it?



If the answer for all of the above questions is NO, why we need charge for that?

Think about that question from other point of views?


When you ask me to do a house inspection, do you really just what to know a simple answer: Leak or not? See if you want to know something listed below:


  1. Did it leaked in the past?
  2. Will it leak in the future?
  3. Anything built wrong?
  4. What are the maintenance costs to ensure weathertightness?
  5. If it is leaking, are there any major structure damages?
  6. If any major damages, how that can be fixed?
  7. If the leak issues can be fixed, how much will that cost?

If nothing from above listed questions can be answered by using infrared camera, then why I need to charge for that?

From 495 house we inspected in the year 2011, only 10%  or less of them can be categorised as leaky houses. What did we do for other 90% of inspected house? We did far more than just moisture testing. Only fraction of major issues found during inspection is moisture related. I like the traditional name in our Country to describe house inspection - builder's report: I'm a builder first. I need to understand building before putting up tools.

Don't worry. I got all sort of tools, include infrared camera, which is always in my pocket. We just do not charge for that.

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