# Is Infrared worth $ **URL:** \ **Category:** Thermal Imaging, Infrared Cameras & Energy Audits\ **Created:** [November 20, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407 "2013-11-20T22:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 12:01pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/21 "2013-11-22T12:01:41Z")
> [@nthornberry](#): > > It’s business that can be counter cyclical to the real estate market, I like it from that angle. > > You mentioned $150 an hour earlier. Is that typical? $150/hr / $1200/day for electrical inspections with a 4 hour ($600) minimum. I’ve done $1200 electrical inspections in less than 3 hours. Many clients tell me that I was the only one to respond to their bid requests. Certification is a big plus. Many electrical contractors have the equipment but aren’t certified to do the work. ---
**Author:** ![cbottger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cbottger/32/206_2.png) [@cbottger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cbottger)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/22 "2013-11-22T15:19:34Z")
> [@ldapkus](#): > > $150/hr / $1200/day for electrical inspections with a 4 hour ($600) minimum. I’ve done $1200 electrical inspections in less than 3 hours. Many clients tell me that I was the only one to respond to their bid requests. Certification is a big plus. Many electrical contractors have the equipment but aren’t certified to do the work. How many panels can you average in one day. I can do between 75 and a 100 depending on how fast my helpers can pull and reinstall dead fronts. My average charge for one day is $1650 to $1750 and I might drop my price a little per day for multiple days ---
**Author:** ![nthornberry](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/nthornberry/32/1982_2.png) [@nthornberry](https://forum.nachi.org/u/nthornberry)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/23 "2013-11-22T15:43:55Z")
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**Author:** ![cbottger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cbottger/32/206_2.png) [@cbottger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cbottger)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/24 "2013-11-22T15:47:51Z")
> [@nthornberry](#): > > You’ve been doing this awhile Charley. What’s the consistency like? Getting $1000+ per day, or is it occasional? I travel to every state that boarders Ok and it is still hit and miss feast or famine 98% of my thermal comes from the web page ---
**Author:** ![nthornberry](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/nthornberry/32/1982_2.png) [@nthornberry](https://forum.nachi.org/u/nthornberry)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/25 "2013-11-22T17:37:13Z")
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**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/26 "2013-11-22T20:34:11Z")
> [@cbottger](#): > > How many panels can you average in one day. I can do between 75 and a 100 depending on how fast my helpers can pull and reinstall dead fronts. My average > charge for one day is $1650 to $1750 and I might drop my price a little per day for multiple days If I bid $1200/day against an electrical contractor, I get beat every time. They charge an hourly rate and lowball it every time. When the client provides electricians or their maintenance personnel, I can get $1200/day. ---
**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/27 "2013-11-22T20:36:46Z")
> [@nthornberry](#): > > This goes directly to what the OP was asking…is there money here? The answer in short is yes, but you have to market the heck out of it. It’s inconsistent, even for the guys that have been doing it since the beginning. > > \*\*\*I have yet to meet a guy that does six figures in Infrared alone. \*\*\* If you do Charley, then I have met one. Every time I ask a room full of inspectors how many own them, 10-15% raise their hands. Every time I ask the same room who is happy with what they’re making from them, I might get one hand. > > That’s not promising to me. It seems like a fun toy, something to make you better and more certified or whatever, perhaps for a few a nice side income, and for many a diversion from their primary business. I know one that has 6 full time thermographers. That’s a 7 figure business!! ---
**Author:** ![nthornberry](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/nthornberry/32/1982_2.png) [@nthornberry](https://forum.nachi.org/u/nthornberry)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/28 "2013-11-22T21:10:10Z")
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**Author:** ![gskeeters](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gskeeters/32/1343_2.png) [@gskeeters](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gskeeters)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/29 "2013-11-22T21:20:44Z")
amen ---
**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/30 "2013-11-22T23:40:56Z")
> [@cbottger](#): > > How many panels can you average in one day. I can do between 75 and a 100 depending on how fast my helpers can pull and reinstall dead fronts. My average > charge for one day is $1650 to $1750 and I might drop my price a little per day for multiple days I’ve done over 100 in a day with 2 electricians. It was a 3 mil sq ft condo development that we did in 3 days. ---
**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 11:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/31 "2013-11-22T23:43:53Z")
> [@nthornberry](#): > > I may stand corrected…was (is) this a home inspection company? No. IR only. Some will cover the entire U.S. and charge accordingly. Ask Dave Anderson how well he does with IR.😉 ---
**Author:** ![nthornberry](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/nthornberry/32/1982_2.png) [@nthornberry](https://forum.nachi.org/u/nthornberry)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/32 "2013-11-23T00:22:48Z")
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**Author:** ![dandersen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dandersen/32/59398_2.png) [@dandersen](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dandersen)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/33 "2013-11-23T00:24:02Z")
Nate is right and wrong all in the same sentence. Please leave all this work to me and my gang! I made a weeks wage sitting watching the rain from the 26th floor of a lawyers office discussing a “Home Inspection” IR assessment. Didn’t even need a rain coat today… It did take me 6 years to get here though. Not from sitting in an “Infrared Certified” class (that I am not qualified to teach). I am a Level III after all… What can you expect? ---
**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/34 "2013-11-23T00:37:47Z")
> [@nthornberry](#): > > Who are we talking about here? > > Still looking for the home inspector with the six figure exclusively in infrared sales. I’ve asked hundreds if not a thousand or more companies- haven’t found it yet. Let’s find 'em and figure out how to make real money with it. Why? It’s a different world. Like Dave said, it takes years of dedication to the field. It’s not about selling gimmicks. ---
**Author:** ![wwarner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wwarner/32/57038_2.png) [@wwarner](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wwarner)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/35 "2013-11-23T00:55:26Z")
> [@ldapkus](#): > > Why? It’s a different world. Like Dave said, it takes years of dedication to the field. It’s not about selling gimmicks. Bingo! ---
**Author:** ![jmoore5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jmoore5/32/57038_2.png) [@jmoore5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jmoore5)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/36 "2013-11-23T01:17:21Z")
I have just been hired as a Thermography consultant by a large electrical repair/installation contractor to perform thermal imaging for some of their customers around the country. First assignment is the first week of Dec in California. I love getting paid to travel and sleep. I also am consulting on a aviation manufacturing company that is developing an wheel cover that keeps braking systems cooler. It has taken years of using thermal imaging in many different areas from residential to commercial uses to have the experience necessary for these jobs. Yes, I was asked what my education level was as Level II was/is a requirement for both these companies. There is money in residential thermography but not near the income as commercial work. ---
**Author:** ![sfogarty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfogarty/32/58235_2.png) [@sfogarty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfogarty)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/37 "2013-11-23T02:56:25Z")
Craig I will try and answer your question, among the sea of comments. Even if you don’t advertise you use IR Even if you don’t get any training Even if you don’t try and incorporate it into your everyday inspection process. Buy the camera for yourself and help yourself out. I can’t begin to tell and show the “hidden” items I would have missed if it were not for having the camera. 1 in about every 100 homes (2 story) has a plumbing bath leak from upstairs to the main ceiling below. A leak you may not find. Some stuff you find by dumb luck I hate to say, but you do. Get a camera and go learn something. I found an overheating outlet the other day, while showing my client how the camera worked. Just dumb luck. Nothing was plugged into it and it had no reason to be producing heat. ![IR001856.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/6/164c6f84aa4506d3ad6c003110d6d69b8cd75862.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![nthornberry](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/nthornberry/32/1982_2.png) [@nthornberry](https://forum.nachi.org/u/nthornberry)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 5:01am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/38 "2013-11-23T05:01:08Z")
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**Author:** ![belliott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/belliott/32/57038_2.png) [@belliott](https://forum.nachi.org/u/belliott)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 6:43am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/39 "2013-11-23T06:43:38Z")
I still see what I have always thought here so must have been right in my private thoughts all along. The guys that are dedicated to it can make money much as I am dedicated to general Home Inspection which has taken a lot of energy because essentially we are all creating ourselves from nothing in that we do not sell any tangible product other than our selves. Like I tell my clients T and M. “everything is time and money but whose time and whose money”. Like that I made that up…lol. With this trade it is more about “time” and when it comes to IR it is about both T and M. Not sure I care to venture into competing for the limited amount of checking hot conductor jobs out there by spending what 20 years ago was a years salary then going through the painful process of adding ,altering websites to maximize the new training and equipment,or creating through power of persuasion the belief from others that I am great at it . My take at some point will be as already planned to simply get my $99 IR camera (:)) and look for anomalies in those 1 in a 100 houses with leaks from above that my eyes do not detect. The fact that one needs to market soooo hard and take sooo much time to make something means the giant demand is not there and more and more guys have cameras making them hungry to compete for those few big payoff jobs. I honestly feel it is more productive to flip homes and a heck of a lot more fun. Once you are tapped out on HI there are many services related to RE one can be involved in. _To sum up here will my attention be turned to purchase of a thermal image capture device ? Yes Will I try and become level 2 or 3 ? I seriously doubt that._ ---
**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 12:15pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407/40 "2013-11-23T12:15:59Z")
Dreams of making big $$$ with IR+cheap training= [deals on Ebay](http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLIR-InfraCAM-SD-infrared-camera-thermal-imager-/151172825256?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23329a40a8) [Previous page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/is-infrared-worth/82407.md?page=3)