Inspection Scope

Noteworthy Property Inspections

Inspection Scope

Noteworthy Property Inspections follows the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) standards of practice for residential home inspections (listed below). These standards define the scope of home inspections according to accepted industry standards. Italicized words in these Standards are defined in the Glossary of Terms.

1. Foundations, Basements, and Under-floor Areas

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Foundation system

2. Floor framing system

3. Under-floor ventilation

4. Foundation anchoring and cripple wall bracing

5. Wood separation from soil

6. Insulation

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Determine size, spacing, location, or adequacy of foundation bolting/bracing components or reinforcing systems

2. Determine the composition or energy rating of insulation materials

2. Exteriors

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Surface grade directly adjacent to the buildings

2. Doors and windows

3. Attached decks, porches, patios, balconies, stairways, and their enclosures

4. Wall cladding and trim

5. Portions of walkways and driveways that are adjacent to the buildings

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Inspect door or window screens, shutters, awnings, or security bars

2. Inspect fences or gates or operate automated door or gate openers or their safety devices

3. Use a ladder to inspect systems or components

3. Roof Coverings

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Covering

2. Drainage

3. Flashings

4. Penetrations

5. Skylights

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Walk on the roof surface if in the opinion of the Inspector there is risk of damage or a hazard to the Inspector

2. Warrant or certify that roof systems, coverings, or components are free from leakage

4. Attic Areas and Roof Framing

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Framing

2. Ventilation

3. Insulation

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Inspect mechanical attic ventilation systems or components

2. Determine the composition or energy rating of insulation materials

5. Plumbing

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Water supply piping

2. Drain, waste, and vent piping

3. Faucets and fixtures

4. Fuel gas piping

5. Water heaters

6. Functional flow and functional drainage

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Fill any fixture with water or inspect overflow drains or drain-stops, or evaluate backflow devices, waste ejectors, sump pumps, or drain line cleanouts

2. Inspect or evaluate water temperature balancing devices, temperature fluctuation, time to obtain hot water, water circulation, or solar heating systems or components

3. Inspect whirlpool baths, steam showers, or sauna systems or components

4. Inspect fuel tanks or determine if the fuel gas system is free of leaks

5. Inspect wells or water treatment systems

6. Electrical Systems

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Service equipment

2. Electrical panels

3. Circuit wiring

4. Switches, receptacles, outlets, and lighting fixtures

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Operate circuit breakers or circuit interrupters

2. Remove cover plates

3. Inspect de-icing systems or components

4. Inspect private or emergency electrical supply systems or components

7. Heating and Cooling Systems

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Heating equipment

2. Central cooling equipment

3. Energy source and connections

4. Combustion air and exhaust vent systems

5. Condensate drainage

6. Conditioned air distribution systems

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Inspect heat exchangers or electric heating elements

2. Inspect non-central air conditioning units or evaporative coolers

3. Inspect radiant, solar, hydronic, or geothermal systems or components

4. Determine volume, uniformity, temperature, airflow, balance, or leakage of any air distribution system

5. Inspect electronic air filtering or humidity control systems or components

8. Fireplaces and Chimneys

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Chimney exterior

2. Spark arrestor

3. Firebox

4. Damper

5. Hearth extension.

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Inspect chimney interiors

2. Inspect fireplace inserts, seals, or gaskets

3. Operate any fireplace or determine if a fireplace can be safely used

9. Building Interior (including Appliances and Garage)

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Walls, ceilings, and floors

2. Doors and windows

3. Stairways, handrails, and guardrails

4. Permanently installed cabinets

5. Permanently installed cook-tops, mechanical range vents, ovens, dishwashers, and food waste disposers

6. Absence of smoke alarms

7. Vehicle doors and openers

B The inspector is not required to:

1. Inspect window, door, or floor coverings

2. Determine whether a building is secure from unauthorized entry

3. Operate or test smoke alarms or vehicle door safety devices

4. Use a ladder to inspect systems or components

Please note that inspection of the following optional systems is not covered by the CREIA Standards of Practice. The Standards of Practice which we follow for these inspections shall be as listed below:
10. Pools and Spas

(at additional cost)

The inspector may examine the following at his/her discretion, as agreed with client:

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Location and type of pool or spa examined.

2. Conditions limiting or otherwise inhibiting inspection.

3. Enclosure and related gates.

4. Hardscaping and drainage related to the inspected pool or spa.

5. Condition of visible portions of systems, structures, or components.

6. Normally necessary and present equipment such as: lights, pumps, heaters, filters, and related mechanical and electrical connections.

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Examine any above-ground, movable, freestanding or otherwise non-permanently installed pool or spa, or self-contained equipment.

2. Come into contact with pool or spa water to examine the system, structure, or components.

3. Determine adequacy of spa jet water force or bubble effect.

4. Determine structural integrity or leakage of any kind.

5. Evaluate thermostat(s) or their calibration, heating elements, chemical dispensers, water chemistry or conditioning devices, low voltage or computer controls, timers, sweeps or cleaners, pool or spa covers and related components.

6. Operate or evaluate filter backwash systems.

7. Examine accessories, such as, but not limited to: aerators or air-blowers, diving or jump boards, ladders, skimmers, slides or steps.

11. Lawn Sprinkler (landscape irrigation) Systems

(at additional cost)

A. Items to be inspected:

1. Type of water source.
2. Presence and condition of irrigation pump and pump motor.
3. Presence and condition of filtration devices and back-flow prevention devices.
4. Type and condition of irrigation master valve(s) and distribution valves.
5. Type and condition of visible piping.
6. Type and condition of sprinkler heads and/or drip emitters based on visual observation of their operation as and when conditions permit.
7. Type and condition of electric controls. Systems shall be checked for manual and automatic operation as and when conditions permit.
8. Presence (but not operation of) rain sensors.

B. The inspector is not required to:

1. Determine adequacy of coverage of the irrigation systems.
2. Determine the type and condition of any sprinkler heads and/or drip emitters which are not readily visible.
3. Move stored items, vegetation or debris, or perform any excavations or other intrusive tests to gain access.
4. Operate or evaluate any surface- or underground-drainage systems.
5. Enter any irrigated areas during sprinkler operation.
6. It is not within the scope of this report to determine the degree of salinity or volume of any well water. Inquire with the sellers of the property or check with the local agricultural extension service for these tests.

Note: We recommend you have the sellers instruct you as to the operation of this system.
Note: Ongoing maintenance of damaged or clogged sprinkler heads is necessary with most sprinkler systems.

Glossary of Terms

*NOTE: All definitions apply to derivatives of these terms when italicized in the text.

Appliance: An item such as an oven, dishwasher, heater, etc. which performs a specific function

Building: The subject of the inspection and its primary parking structure

Component: A part of a system, appliance, fixture, or device

Condition: Conspicuous state of being

Determine: Arrive at an opinion or conclusion pursuant to a real estate inspection

Device: A component designed to perform a particular task or function

Fixture: A plumbing or electrical component with a fixed position and function

Function: The normal and characteristic purpose or action of a system, component, or device

Functional Drainage: The ability to empty a plumbing fixture in a reasonable time

Functional Flow: The flow of the water supply at the highest and farthest fixture from the building supply shutoff valve when another fixture is used simultaneously

Inspect: Refer to Part I, “Definition and Scope”, Paragraph A

Inspector: One who performs a real estate inspection

Normal User Control: Switch or other device that activates a system or component and is provided for use by an occupant of a building

Operate: Cause a system, appliance, fixture, or device to function using normal user controls

Permanently Installed: Fixed in place, e.g. screwed, bolted, nailed, or glued

Primary Building: A building that an Inspector has agreed to inspect

Primary Parking structure: A building for the purpose of vehicle storage associated with the primary building

Readily Accessible: Can be reached, entered, or viewed without difficulty, moving obstructions, or requiring any action which may harm persons or property

Real Estate Inspection: Refer to Part I, “Definitions and Scope”, Paragraph A

Representative Number: Example, an average of one component per area for multiple similar components such as windows, doors, and electrical outlets

Safety Hazard: A condition that could result in significant physical injury

Shut Down: Disconnected or turned off in a way so as not to respond to normal user controls

System: An assemblage of various components designed to function as a whole

Technically Exhaustive: Examination beyond the scope of a real estate inspection, which may require disassembly, specialized knowledge, special equipment, measuring, calculating, quantifying, testing, exploratory probing, research, or analysis