I am in the process of becoming certified for my state (missouri) regarding septic as it appears realtors appreciate an inspector who can keep multiple items in house. Also I love my septic team but it is getting longer to get a report in the time crunches that realtors appear to be under.
How many of you have done the same? What are some tips (Missouri Specific if possible) do you have?
I also recently ran into an issue regarding Radon, I have a fellow inspector I default to but ran into an issue where the time crunch caused the client to cancel my guy who uses samples sent to a lab and they are looking for someone who uses a machine to get a report in 48 hours.
How many of you do this and what training or machine would you recommend?
As always I appreciate the advice and if there are other services you find have a higher ROI, I would like to know.
Radon is generally a no brainer and you need to say yes to Realtors. It has a low barrier for entry (cost and education) and used machines are affordable.
Radon, Mold/Air Testing, and Water Testing are the three main add-ons I offer. All 3 are basic, low cost, low barrier to entry add-ons. All 3 have similar ROIs if you price them right. Radon requires an extra trip, but water and air testing require shipping or delivering to a lab. Bang for the buck, radon is the most profitable add-on with the least downside, in my opinion. I use the Airthings Corentium Pro monitors and generally like them. Takes too long for calibration is my only complaint.
Air testing and water testing may be more lucrative if you have a local lab and can avoid shipping. But that’s not my case in my area.
I use E-perms which is a “sampling method.” The difference being you read the results as soon as you pick up the samples.
Let me know if you’re interested, I’ll be retiring in a couple years and have phased out of Radon Testing. I can sell my equipment way less than Rad-Elec charges for new.
or, I can simply fill you in on the RadElec system benefits.
Thank you for the tips. I see a spread of 3 types of machines, all very good options from the digging I’m doing. I have not heard of Airthings before, I have heard of SUN, and have not heard of the E-perm. IF you all would be so kind. Could you email me at [email protected] with your reasons why you chose the system you did; ease of use, cost, turn around time, etc. I don’t want to bog down the forum with details or a longer drawn out conversation.
As usual. I thank you all for your prompt and knowledgeable responses. It’s this type of teamwork to help us all become better that I really like about yall.
I was in your neck of the woods today doing an inspection. I would add radon, sewer scope and mold to your list of services. I personally do not do septic, but it’s not very common in Springfield. But just take the couple days in Jefferson City to take the septic classes to be able to do septic inspections.
I use airthings and radstar machines. I had used the radoneye pro a few years ago, but always had issues with it connecting to my phone, so I changed to airthings corentium pro. I like them the best. They are small the battery lasts forever and the reports are nice.
As long as everyone keeps it civil, everyone has their reasons for going with the gear they choose, I am not a fan of someone attacking another person’s choice. Especially if there is no discernable difference in report quality.
I started out with some used, older Sun Radon machines. They were the ones you had to plug in. I quickly found out I hated dealing with the cords and most of the time extension cords.
I switched to the Airthings because at the time, they were one of the very few battery-powered machines available. They have been great, except for the long leadtime for calibration. It typically takes about 3 weeks from the time I ship it, to the time I receive it back. That’s almost a month without the machine.
I have 3 machines and I have the calibrations staggered every 4 months. I really should add a 4th machine, as I’ve had some close calls where I’ve only had two machines to work with while one was getting calibrated.
On the topic of cords and extension cords, I quickly found out I didn’t like my corded mold air pump either. So I bought a Breeze pump that is battery powered. They are decent. I keep the corded one as a back-up.
Personally, I wouldn’t start any ancillary service until I got the basic home inspection business settled. Don’t try to juggle too much too soon. Work in as you go.
Best advice on this post! Your bread and butter will be the basic home inspections! Learn how to do those well and build that business, then if you really want to expand services, get the training and equipment and do so. Most fail in our profession because they did not build up their home inspection service prior to adding on several other services, and then running out of money because none are doing well as they all depend on the basic home inspection to sell those other services!
