This is part two of my little ‘mini-series’ on the differences between the two most common real estate transaction radon gas testing methods. In part I, I addressed the primary similarity, that being accuracy. In this blog installment, I’ll be sticking to differences. I’d like to cover a few pros and cons of each.

Cost –  Advantage: Vial test

Most good quality kits cost the average inspector $20-$30. I can usually whittle the client cost down to the $50-$75 range. The machine test however, requires two trips or one (paid by me) trip for an assistant to pick up. Factoring in the machine’s cost (upwards of $600) and the ‘tie up’ time, and you’ve looking at a typical $100-$150 per test.

Speed – Advantage: Machine test

We all know time is king in this business. Assuming a minimum 48-hour test interval, for the vial test results the typical turnaround is 5-7 business days from the start of placement. The machine? Wait 48 hours, show up, push button, done.

Simplicity – Advantage: Vial test

Don’t discount simplicity as a potentially significant advantage. The vials require no calibration, don’t care if the power is off or turned off, have no cords, don’t need a back-up battery, and have no moving parts or ‘down time’. If it ‘can’ go wrong with an electronic device, at some (most likely inopportune) time, it will.

“Tamper-proof” – ness – Advantage: Machine test

While no test is 100% tamper-proof, the machine test can be close. I have added temperature and relative humidity monitoring to my system to make testing virtually fool-proof. The vials require a small leap of faith that tampering has not occurred, however the test is not as easily fooled as it may seem.

So, like most other things in life, we see that there are plusses and minuses to the majority of A vs. B choices we are faced with every day. In the end, it all boils down to each individual clients specific needs and finances. As long as accuracy remains the same, no test method presents a clear advantage over the other.

I hope this little ‘mini-series’ on radon testing has shed a little light on this rapidly developing aspect of the real estate industry.