CREIA

CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE INSPECTION ASSOCIATION

Standards of Practice

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Originally Adopted September 13, 1983 Revisions herein effective April 15, 1999

Table of Contents

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

I. Definitions and Scope

II. Standards of Practice

III. Limitations, Exceptions and Exclusions

IV. Glossary of Terms

I. Definitions and Scope
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A Real Estate inspection is a non-invasive physical examination, performed for a fee, designed to identify material defects in the systems, structures, and components of a building as they exist at the time of the inspection. The specific systems, structures and components of a building to be examined are listed in these Standards of Practice.

B. A material defect is a condition that significantly affects the value, desirability, habitability, or safety of the building. Style or aesthetics shall not be considered in determining whether a specific system, structure, or component is defective.

C. These Standards provide inspection guidelines, make public the services provided by private fee-paid inspectors, and define certain terms relating to these inspections.

D. Sections 1 through 10 of these Standards are a mandatory part of all such inspections. Sections 11 through 12 are optional.

E. Unless otherwise agreed between the inspector and client, these Standards shall apply to the primary building and its associated primary parking structure. The inspection shall be limited to those specific systems, structures and components that are present and visually accessible. Components and systems shall be operated with normal user controls only and as conditions permit. Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards are not intended to be technically exhaustive.

F. Inspection reports shall describe and identify in written format the inspected systems, structures, and components of the building and shall identify material defects.

G. Inspection reports may contain recommendations regarding conditions reported or recommendations for further evaluation by appropriate persons.

II. Standards of Practice

SECTION 1 – Foundations, Basements, and Under-floor Areas

SECTION 2 – Exteriors

SECTION 3 – Roof Coverings

SECTION 4 – Attic Areas and Roof Framing
SECTION 5 – Plumbing
SECTION 6 – Electrical Systems
SECTION 7 – Heating Systems
SECTION 8 – Central Cooling Systems
SECTION 9 – Fireplaces and Chimneys
SECTION 10 – Building Interior
SECTION 11 (OPTIONAL) – Other Built-In Appliances and Systems
SECTION 12 (OPTIONAL) – Pools and Spas

III. LIMITATIONS, EXCEPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
The inspector is not required to perform any of the following as part of a real estate inspection:

1. Move any personal items or other obstruction(s) such as, but not limited to: furniture, floor or wall coverings, window coverings, snow, ice, water, debris, and foliage which may obstruct visibility or access.

2. Determine causes for the need of repair or replacement, or specify repair or replacement procedures or materials.

3. Determine existence of latent deficiencies or defects.

4. Dismantle any system, structure, or component, or perform any intrusive or destructive examination, test or analysis.

5. Obtain or review information from any third-parties including, but not limited to: government agencies (such as permits), component or system manufacturers (including product defects, recalls or similar notices), contractors, managers, sellers, occupants, neighbors, consultants, homeowner or similar associations, attorneys, agents or brokers.

6. Activate or operate any system or component that is shut down or does not respond to normal user controls, nor access any area or operate any component or system which may jeopardize the safety of the inspector, or any other person or thing.

7. Research the history of a property, report on its potential for alteration, modification, extendibility, or its suitability for a specific or proposed use or occupancy.

8. Offer any form of guarantee or warranty.

9. Examine or evaluate the acoustical or other nuisance characteristics of any system, structure, or component of a building, complex, adjoining properties, or neighborhood.

10. Operate or evaluate any recreational system, structure or component.

11. Operate or evaluate low voltage electrical (less than single-phase line voltage, typically 120-volts), antennas, security systems, cable or satellite television, telephone, remote controls, radio controls, timers, intercoms, computers, photo-electric, motion sensing, or other such similar non-primary electrical power devices, components, or systems.

12. Use any special equipment to examine any system, structure, or component of a building.

13. Probe or exert pressure on any component, system or structure.

14. Examine or evaluate fire-resistive qualities of any system, structure or component of the building.

15. Examine every individual component of a system or structure, where such components are typically replicated, including, but not limited to: doors, windows, switches and receptacles. A representative sampling may be performed in order to examine such systems, structures, or components of a building.

16. Determine the age of construction or installation of any system, structure, or component of a building, or differentiate between original construction or subsequent additions, improvements, renovations or replacements thereto.

CREIA Glossary