I/R agreement OK?

General Inspection Topics Legislation, Licensing, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Thermal imaging is a technology that allows the InterNACHI INSPECTOR to show you things about your home that no one can show you using other inspection methods. Thermal Imaging helps to diagnose the problem rather than merely identify symptoms and can sometimes , but not always, identify and document: electrical faults before they cause a fire, overloaded and undersized circuits, circuit breakers in need of immediate replacement, missing, damaged,
and or wet insulation, heat loss and air infiltration in walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, water and moisture intrusion that could lead to mold, possible pest infestation, hidden roof leaks, before the cause serious damage, air conditioner compressor leaks, under fastening and or missing framing members, structural defects, broken seals in double pane windows,
Energy loss and efficiency, dangerous flue leaks, damaged and/or malfunctioning radiant heating systems. Unknown plumbing leaks, overheated equipment. These color images can then be then be included in the inspection report providing supporting documentation to the report. A picture is worth a thousand words.

  1. CLIENT requests and authorizes INSPECTOR to perform a thermal imaging scan on the structure at

For the following purposes:

The fee for additional service will be. $________________, all of which is due prior to delivery of the thermal images.

  1. INSPECTOR’S liability for any damages alleged arising out of any aspect of the thermal imaging service shall be limited to the additional amount paid for the thermal imaging scan. CLIENT voluntarily waives any claim for consequential exemplary or incidental damages to the fullest extent allowed by law.

  2. The thermal imaging scan will be limited in scope to the equipment used by INSPECTOR. The inspection will be a non-invasive and non-destructive examination of the visible, safely and readily accessible portions of the interior and/or exterior of the structure for atypical temperature/thermal variations. NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES REGARDING FUTURE USE HABITABILITY OPERABILITY, SUITABILTY OR MERCHANTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE
    SUBJECT PROPERTY ARE PROVIDED.

  3. Thermal imaging services do NOT include any inspections, examinations, testing or evaluations for harmful, dangerous to toxic substances pr materials or environmental hazards including but not limited to mold, bio-aerosols, radon, lead, asbestos, non- biological airborne
    Particulates, contaminants, petroleum products petrochemicals, radioactive materials, electromagnetic radiation, plant animal or insect secretions or excretions, Infrared cameras are not moisture meters but can aid in identifying areas that warrant further investigation. If INSPECTOR offers any information or opinions about any of the forgoing, this information shall be deemed to be informational only and supplied as a courtesy to the CLIENT and shall not be deemed to be an amendment to this addendum or the inspection agreement

  4. Client: agrees to indemnify and hold harmless INSPECTOR, its agents, employees, and inspectors for the presence of any harmful, dangerous, or toxic substances or materials or environmental hazards including but not limited to those listed in part 4 of this addendum as well as for any and all damages and liability for any mitigation, construction, or any other costs
    Associated with the presence of any such hazards or substances or materials.

  5. If CLIENT desires to obtain information regarding the presence of any harmful, dangerous, or toxic substances or materials or environmental hazards including but not limited to those listed in part 4 of this addendum. It is solely the responsibility of the CLIENT to contact and engage the services of qualified individuals or companies that specialize in the areas of specific interest or concern.

  6. All of the other terms of the Agreement (Inspection Contract) are incorporated herein by reference.

Signature _________________________ Date____________
E-Mail____________________________ PN______________

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  1. Have you taken any training on the equipment?
  2. Do you have an attorney that can review your contract? No one here is going to say “yeah that’s good” and open themselves up to the liability that such a statement would involve.
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Gary, communicate with InterNACHI’s attorney:

https://forum.nachi.org/t/pre-inspection-agreement-review-by-an-attorney/151605/7

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I took the InterNACHI I/R course, I have been looking for classroom classes, they are very expensive…

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I agree. I took the FLIR level 1 class and while expensive, it was 100% worth it. It really gives you a good understanding of the equipment and what you are really seeing through the IR lens. I

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They are very expensive?!
Well no kidding! Nothing concerning Thermography is bargain basement!
Speaking of bargain basement, this contract is just that…
Did you know that Lvl III training covers this exact subject matter? That’s about a $12,000 investment on your part (excluding the camera).

Yesterday I had two contractors call me to “track down” water leakage in the Nashville tornado zone. I quoted them $500 to take an initial look at the building, which they thought was absurd. I “completed” several jobs for $1,630 across the street. So I advised them to start at the stains in the ceiling/walls and tear it out till they come to the source and hope they don’t make other things worse than when they started.

I get calls all the time that the caller states they have spent thousands to fix a problem with no success, and they say they can’t afford for me to tell them exactly what needs fixin! :confounded:

I have a 100% success policy or they don’t pay. But first, they have to agree to pay the big bucks to conduct the number of tests required and the number of days required to complete my process (which is not just some thermal scans). I charge $500 to take a look at the building and do initial testing. This “eliminates” 2/3rds of the potential testing (there are three “sources” of water damage, two of which must be eliminated to determine the cause of damage), which may solve their problem first time out there, but I don’t know. There is no way for me to know what it is going to cost without taking an initial look at things which costs $500. But this will at least determine the source of moisture.

What’s more important than your contract?
Don’t work for stupid people!
Don’t work without proper training.
And don’t work for free.

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