Thermal imaging surveys reveal building defects invisible to the naked eye — missing insulation, water ingress, electrical faults, and air leakage paths. Done at the right time of year, they pay back many times their cost in targeted repair.
What thermography shows
- Missing or compressed insulation
- Air leakage paths (drafts)
- Water ingress and damp
- Electrical hotspots in distribution boards
- Pipe routes and leaks
- Thermal bridging at structural junctions
- Roof leak entry points (when sun-warmed)
When to survey
Optimal conditions for building thermography:
- Temperature differential of at least 10°C (inside vs outside)
- Stable conditions (no recent sun on the building)
- Dry weather (rain affects readings)
- Heating system operating
- Best season: October to March
Applications
Post-construction QA
Verify insulation and airtightness on new builds. Standard on Passivhaus.
Retrofit planning
Identify priority areas before insulation upgrade.
Defect investigation
Locate leak source, missing insulation, condensation risk.
Electrical inspection
Identify hot terminals before fire — increasingly required by insurers.
Limitations
- Indicates surface temperature, not direct measurement of insulation R-value
- Cannot see through walls — only what reaches surface
- Weather and operational state affect reliability
- Interpretation requires trained thermographer
Cost
- Domestic external survey: R7,000–R18,000
- Commercial building survey: R30,000–R160,000
- Electrical distribution survey: R8,000–R24,000
MCFAR commissions thermographic surveys on retrofit projects.
Need expert engineering on your project?
MCFAR GROUP has been delivering structural engineering, building, and plumbing services since 1998. Talk to our team about your build, retrofit, or renovation.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use a phone thermal camera?
Limited use. Cheap thermal accessories lack resolution for defect investigation.
How long does a survey take?
1–4 hours on site for a typical house; longer for commercial.