home inspection services - thermal imaging

[hopeful]

Hi, has anybody ever used the services of an home inspection services/energy auditor/thermal imaging to inspect the houses before buying a 2nd hand property or when project has TOP?

when my condos was completed last year and this year, i was explaining to my wife about using such services to check for water leakage, improper insulation etc. Each inspection cost a few hundred to thousand dollars to inspect, depending on size. I explained each condos cost a few hundred thousands (deposit only), so what is a few hundreds. My wife rejected it because we have 0% intention of staying.

Anybody got experience with these companies?
Supposedly, some of the more advanced thermal imagers can also detect termite activity....

[rattydrama]

Hi, has anybody ever used the services of an home inspection services/energy auditor/thermal imaging to inspect the houses before buying a 2nd hand property or when project has TOP?

when my condos was completed last year and this year, i was explaining to my wife about using such services to check for water leakage, improper insulation etc. Each inspection cost a few hundred to thousand dollars to inspect, depending on size. I explained each condos cost a few hundred thousands (deposit only), so what is a few hundreds. My wife rejected it because we have 0% intention of staying.

Anybody got experience with these companies?
Supposedly, some of the more advanced thermal imagers can also detect termite activity....

this is more for checking of electrical connection on possible heat spot... its more for equipment which generate heat... walls not sure ...maybe magnetic x-ray?

[Fleur]

I think it is prudent to do thermal imaging for the whole house, especially for paraquet flooring, before moving in the furniture. Termites can be very destructive. I have ever had to change costly doors cos the previous owner had termite problems.

[hyenergix]

So high tech now? Next time needs nuclear magnetic resonance to test e atoms in e concrete to ensure tt they r bonded properly n can withstand magnitude 10 earthquake.

[howgozit]

Hi, has anybody ever used the services of an home inspection services/energy auditor/thermal imaging to inspect the houses before buying a 2nd hand property or when project has TOP?

when my condos was completed last year and this year, i was explaining to my wife about using such services to check for water leakage, improper insulation etc. Each inspection cost a few hundred to thousand dollars to inspect, depending on size. I explained each condos cost a few hundred thousands (deposit only), so what is a few hundreds. My wife rejected it because we have 0% intention of staying.

Anybody got experience with these companies?
Supposedly, some of the more advanced thermal imagers can also detect termite activity....

Wow! I didn't know it has gone so high tech... can you tell me where to get this service? Thanks in advance,

[devilplate]

How reliable r these tests?

Sounds like a conman job wor....charge few ks and tell u everything ok

[hopeful]

Wow! I didn't know it has gone so high tech... can you tell me where to get this service? Thanks in advance,

can google "home inspection services", "thermal imagers', "thermal cameras".

I bidded for 2nd hand thermal imagers/thermal imaging in EBay. Unfortunately, always got outbidded, due to limited budget due to the fact such items are not allow to be exported freely from USA. So dont want to waste too much $ if confiscated by US Customs.

I needed it more for Indonesia than Singapore due shoddier construction there.

from google, a few links for termite inspection
http://www.pestec.com.au/technology
http://ncptt.nps.gov/2007/thermal-im...es-in-the-red/
http://www.ausinspect.com.au/thermal_imaging.htm

[hopeful]

How reliable r these tests?

Sounds like a conman job wor....charge few ks and tell u everything ok

I read a few articles, in USA if want to have lower insurance premiums, need to have a home inspection report, perhaps also thermal imaging used.

I was thinking what is a few hundred or 1K if my properties cost many multiples each? If buy for own stay, I will insist whether my wife like it or not. Termite infestation, lousy aircon insulation, water leakage are no small problems if people are already staying inside the house.

[august]

have never used such services but am aware of it.
for resale own stay and peace of mind i think is worth it to engage such services before moving in. was told cost is 4 digit but dunno exactly how much...

[DC33_2008]

Do not waste $ to perform thermal imaging. First thing to do is before you take over the old house is to do a simple test: Look at the water meter to see if meter reading is moving when all the appliances such as taps are off. Look for water marked or peeling of paints on the wall. If necessary, then call a specialist to come in.

[devilplate]

Do not waste $ to perform thermal imaging. First thing to do is before you take over the old house is to do a simple test: Look at the water meter to see if meter reading is moving when all the appliances such as taps are off. Look for water marked or peeling of paints on the wall. If necessary, then call a specialist to come in.

Sounds good by checking the meter but if just a very tiny leak can tell?

[DC33_2008]

Leaky pipes embedded in wall can tell as it will be rather damp. Water mark will be noticeable in such instance.

Sounds good by checking the meter but if just a very tiny leak can tell?

[devilplate]

Leaky pipes embedded in wall can tell as it will be rather damp. Water mark will be noticeable in such instance.

Exactly, i only scrutinise ceilings for watermarks...but sometime it takes time to be noticeable

[sfwoo]

Exactly, i only scrutinise ceilings for watermarks...but sometime it takes time to be noticeable

Ever heard of seller paint before viewing, re-paint before second viewing?

Buyers...beware!

[land118]

Ever heard of seller paint before viewing, re-paint before second viewing?

Buyers...beware!

If seller so on the ball, LL lol. If u are keen on the place, would u still buy if there is watermarks? What if u slash price by $50k knowing u need to do some repairs and seller accept...?

I think no hard and fast rule, a lot depend on gut feel for me whether I like the place and it also boils down to price...

[faith6]

I agree with you. There are lots of new techniques used for inspection. Never skip step of home inspection before buying any property. A home inspector can help you in this process.



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