Standards of Practice

Residential Standards - Four or Fewer Units

• Originally Adopted September 13, 1983
• Revised November 1, 1996
• Revised April 15, 1999
• Revised July 12, 2003
• Revised April 15, 2006 — Effective July 1, 2006

Note: Italicized words in this document are defined in the Glossary of Terms.

Download the CREIA Residential Standards of Practice (PDF: 110KB)

Table of Contents

I. Definitions and Scope

II. Standards of Practice

1. Foundation, Basement, and Under-floor Areas
2. Exterior
3. Roof Covering
4. Attic Areas and Roof Framing
5. Plumbing
6. Electrical
7. Heating and Cooling
8. Fireplaces and Chimneys
9. Building Interior

III. Limitations, Exceptions and Exclusions

A. The following are excluded from a real estate inspection:

Systems or components of a building, or portions thereof, which are not readily accessible, not permanently installed, or not inspected due to circumstances beyond the control of the Inspector or which the Client has agreed or specified are not to be inspected
Site improvements or amenities, including, but not limited to; accessory buildings, fences, planters, landscaping, irrigation, swimming pools, spas, ponds, waterfalls, fountains or their components or accessories
Auxiliary features of appliances beyond the appliance’s basic function
Systems or components, or portions thereof, which are under ground, under water, or where the Inspector must come into contact with water
Common areas as defined in California Civil Code section 1351, et seq., and any dwelling unit systems or components located in common areas
Determining compliance with manufacturers’ installation guidelines or specifications, building codes, accessibility standards, conservation or energy standards, regulations, ordinances, covenants, or other restrictions
Determining adequacy, efficiency, suitability, quality, age, or remaining life of any building, system, or component, or marketability or advisability of purchase
Structural, architectural, geological, environmental, hydrological, land surveying, or soils-related examinations
Acoustical or other nuisance characteristics of any system or component of a building, complex, adjoining property, or neighborhood
Conditions related to animals, insects, or other organisms, including fungus and mold, and any hazardous, illegal, or controlled substance, or the damage or health risks arising there from
Risks associated with events or conditions of nature including, but not limited to; geological, seismic, wildfire, and flood
Water testing any building, system, or component or determine leakage in shower pans, pools, spas, or any body of water
Determining the integrity of hermetic seals at multi-pane glazing
Differentiating between original construction or subsequent additions or modifications
Reviewing information from any third-party, including but not limited to; product defects, recalls, or similar notices
Specifying repairs/replacement procedures or estimating cost to correct
Communication, computer, security, or low-voltage systems and remote, timer, sensor, or similarly controlled systems or components
Fire extinguishing and suppression systems and components or determining fire resistive qualities of materials or assemblies
Elevators, lifts, and dumbwaiters
Lighting pilot lights or activating or operating any system, component, or appliance that is shut down, unsafe to operate, or does not respond to normal user controls
Operating shutoff valves or shutting down any system or component
Dismantling any system, structure, or component or removing access panels other than those provided for homeowner maintenance
B. The Inspector may, at his or her discretion:

Inspect any building, system, component, appliance, or improvement not included or otherwise excluded by these Standards of Practice. Any such inspection shall comply with all other provisions of these Standards.
Include photographs in the written report or take photographs for Inspector’s reference without inclusion in the written report. Photographs may not be used in lieu of written documentation.

IV. Glossary of Terms

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