I’m a new home inspector and radon testing is important in my state (NH). Without having to invest thousands in test kits are there any reasonably priced alternatives to Radstar monitors? Has anyone used Radon eye tests that give one hour readings? What about kits you leave in the home for 4 days and the client mails them back to the lab?
Welcome to our forum, Scott!..Enjoy! 
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Thank you very happy to be on board!
Clients NEVER have control over the test, regardless of which method is used. You are required to maintain the COC (Chain Of Custody) from start (set-up/deployment) to finish (hand-off to lab or shipping company). Any break in the COC legally breaks the integrity of the “evidence” and makes it ‘null and void’!
Some find canisters to be a hassle, but they are still the best method for new inspectors/testers to begin with until they decide if there is an actual market for the service, and their ability to grab enough ‘market share’ to make it profitable!
If you get talked into a CRM to start with, there are thousands of USED on the market that new inspectors are selling because they listened to the wrong people and wasted their money at a crucial point in their start-up!
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I started out by scouring ebay and similar sights for used monitors. As larger companies upgrade to newer monitors, they will sell their older ones. If you are patient, you can usually score a good deal on the older SunRadon 1028s’.
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I stared out with canisters until fedex lost a package. In hindsight I should have went straight to a crm. Radon is 5 times higher in my area compared to the National average. I knew it was I imperative I offer radon. I now own 3 airthings centromuim pro.
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Good advice!
Thank you!
| Brian Cawhern, CMI bcawhern1 Certified Master Inspector
April 18 |
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ruecker:
If you are patient, you can usually score a good deal on the older SunRadon 1028s’.
Good advice!
Are you licensed/ certified to do radon testing in your state?
Can you sub it out for a while until you get the money for your own equipment and/or testing materials?
You can not use Radon Eye residential version for Real estate tests. You can use Radon EYE pro. They cost about $900.00 each. and then you need a tripod to mount them on. You can use charcoal tests. Must use 2 for real estate transaction tests. which with shipping can cost you about $30.00 for a test.
I do use Radon Eye Pro’s. I have 4 of them. and then I have charcoal tests as a backup if all my CRM’s are in use. as they need to be in the house for 48 hours. or 60 hours is the house was not in a closed state for 12 hours prior to the test.
there is a good system called E-perm by https://www.radelec.com/
it used reusable canisters that are left at a property, need 2 for real estate transactions. once the test is completed they are put on a device that you can calculate the tests on.
they are great as you only need one expensive reader and the cheaper canisters for the tests. But they need calibration once a year just like any CRM. the basic start kit costs $2600.00
the canisters can be reused about 20 to 30 times and they cost $25.00 each to replace.
But I’ll stick to the Radon Eye Pro. It has great software and the report is done at the time of pickup. quick and easy. and the return on investment is just 7 or 9 teats. depends on your cost to do the test.
no further investment except yearly calibration cost.
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There are other options as well. AirThings’ Corentium Pro are really nice detectors, cost $1100 and are now WIFI and will send the info direct to your phone if you are near the device, and then you can send the report immediately. AirThings also lets you rent a device for like $100/month if you would rather try it out for a bit before buying one. 1028 devices have to be downloaded to get the info and finalize the report.
Highly recommend you take one of the Radon Measurement Technician courses, even if your state doesn’t require certification. Take the course, learn about how to properly do a test.
And be wary of real estate agents getting too involved, especially selling agents. I’ve heard of many horror stories of agents trying to “alter” results by (doing themselves or advising home sellers) moving the test device, covering it up, blowing a fan over device, or opening windows during part of the testing period. Easy to do that with the cannisters, harder to do with the more sophisticated units which have indicators to show attempts to move or tamper with it.
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Scott, I can possibly help you out with the CRM portion. I am next door in Maine so it would be easy to get some stuff to you. It would be a fairly inexpensive way to learn the ropes.
Most importantly, Have you finished the licensing for radon testing in NH?
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Hi David
Thank you for your help with this. As of now NH does not require any certification to perform testing although they do recommend it. Certification is only required for radon mitigation. Some people have suggested renting equipment until I see what the market is for this type of testing. I’m new to this and I expect to start performing my first home inspections in June.
I’m very happy for any advice I can get on this subject. (As well as other subjects!). There’s a lot to take in.
Thanks so much for taking the time to help me It’s very much appreciated
Scott Devlin
| David Setchell dsetchell InterNACHI®️ CPI
April 19 |
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Scott, I can possibly help you out with the CRM portion. I am next door in Maine so it would be easy to get some stuff to you. It would be a fairly inexpensive way to learn the ropes.
Most importantly, Have you finished the licensing for radon testing in NH?
Scott,
I have 6 sun radon 1027s that I don’t use. They are 2017 -2019 models so they are still good to go. They need calibration but are good basic units which you can get yourself up to speed with fast. Because they are 1027s they are not in demand and would be cheaper than renting. I’d be happy to get 500 for the whole group.
www.RedDogRadon.com Renting Sun Radon 1028XP. Great way to try out the product and very effective ROI versus purchasing units.
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I appreciate that. How do I get them calibrated? I’m away burying my mother in law in Vermont tomorrow. I’ll touch base with you Thursday. Thanks again
| QJ Henderson, CMI qhenderson Certified Master Inspector
April 19 |
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www.RedDogRadon.com Renting Sun Radon 1028XP. Great way to try out the product and very effective ROI versus purchasing units.
We are looking to expand and get into Radon Testing. What is the best equipment to use? Any and all help regarding would be SO helpful!