For the past 5 years or so I have been a sole proprietor remodeler/handyman. Mostly I really enjoy what I do, but there have been ups and downs, as with any business. Have lamented on this forum, some of the problems I have encountered ( mainly the toll the business has taken on my personal/family life) and have received much valuable insight and support (except for the one who said I should tell my DW to shut the hail up ;> (Thanks, guys). I’ve gone as far as looking for work outside of the trades, but either no one would have me or the potential jobs I have encountered would have put me in a worse situation.
So, after a some lengthy soul searching and self reflection, I have determined that I really like hands on work, being my own boss and doing a job where I actually make a positive difference. Additionally, I am not getting any younger and even at the tender age of 39, I fell the wear and tear of lugging heavy to to each jobsite. As some here have suggested, and I would have to agree, a large part of my business woes seem to stem from my being all over the place – doing many varied tasks well but not an expert at any of them. Not to mention buying almost every danm tool out there. So,…
I have been searching fore a new direction to take my business in and think I have found it in form of “Home Energy Auditing”. In particular, specializing in existing home and remodeling retrofits. one of revelations I have come across is that even though this type of service is becoming ever more valuable, people are reluctant to pay for just an “opinion” without any “work” (except say in the case of an energy improvement mortgage. So, I was exploring the idea of performing insulation services as well (foam sealing and blown cellulose , subbing out sprayfoam).
Anyone have any input or thoughts, positive and negative? THanks in advance.
Replies
hmj
Blowing cellulose day after day gets really old.
The places that need to be insulated are generally older homes.
I have crawled into many attics, blown the slants laying on my back and then filling the small A shaped area that my body occupied. You crawl in the same way you crawled out. No room to turn around.
We also insulated alot of crawlspaces with plastic, styrofoam and 10 cans of great stuff. You better like tight places and bats for company.
I don't care what kind of mask you wear, you will be blowing cellulose out of your nose in the shower.
Better for my health to be doing heavy work.
Our energy company does energy audits for free. Usually they hire retired guys to do the audit. HO gets $600 to $1000 to do some insulating and somefree light bulbs.
Rich
Cargin, the energy audits I'm referring to use a blower door, duct blower and thermal imagery to find air leaks. Does your utility company do all that for free?. Blowin paper full time would get old, that is why I will be the one bossing around the two lackeys who will do it. I'm no trying to be an insulation contractor, but as I said, there is a negative perception about paying someone for a recommendation, no matter how much it could save them in the lonbg run .
hmj
the energy audits I'm referring to use a blower door, duct blower and thermal imagery to find air leaks.
No they just come in a check for insulation levels in the attic, maybe the sidewalls and recommend FG in the bandjoist. Then give away WH blankets, light bulbs and water saving faucets ends.
We used to do blower door tests and test ductwork when I worked for a community Action Agency doing LIHEAP grants.
Only poor people get blower door tests.
We dense packed the sidewalls. That took care of the lions share of the infiltration. Then open stud cavities, opening around pipes, kitchen soffits that were open to the attic and side attics that had joist open to the attic area.
Here again poor people who don't pay for it get all the good insulation techniques. I was in an attic this spring. Kitchen soffit wide open to the attic, big hole around flue and vent pipe. I showed them pictures of the problem and I told them to get an energy audit, get some free money and I'll come back and do it. I'm still waiting.
Best of luck
Rich
I too have off and on looked into doing the same thing. FLIR has some really cool stuff. Problem I found is it's like going to the doctor. Most people have insurance and go on someone elses dime but..... It's hard to convince someone that is feeling fine to fork over $300 to be told everythings ok. On the other hand people who know they have problems are more likely to invest the dollars to fix it rather then pay you to find out what they already know. If you have a big enough population area and don't mind traveling you might find a potential 1% of the market willing to pay for your service....
If you find it different I'd love to hear it, cause I can't figure out how to crack that market.