Welcome to the CREIA Orange County Chapter (OC)!

Chapter Leadership

Chapter Meetings

We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm at El Torito (17420 17th Street. Tustin)

Chapter Contact Information

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Meeting Photos

Journeyman Electrician, David Hollenbeck, spent the evening chairing a discussion on "Inspecting the Service Equipment," at Orange County's Monthly Meeting, in April. David used Orange County's mock panel for clarity. The mock panel was available for all members to inspect prior to the discussion.

About the Chapter

The CREIA Orange County Chapter (OC) is one the largest local home inspector chapters in California with over 120 inspector members and 85 CREIA Certified Inspectors (CCIs) or Master CREIA Inspectors (MCIs) from which to choose. The CREIA OC Chapter is and has been home to several past CREIA statewide leaders including George Harper, Peter Walker, Alex Kuczynski, Bob Reed, and Kevin O’Malley.

The CREIA OC Chapter is a combined chapter with members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) providing continuing education, inspector training, monthly chapter meetings, and annual educational conferences to its members. The CREIA OC Chapter is committed to providing exceptional continuing education and inspector training for real estate inspectors throughout Orange County.

Members of the CREIA OC Chapter subscribe to unparalleled service to the real estate community, buyers, and sellers. We believe in continuing education to increase skills and knowledge, and professionalism, which are the keys to success in providing quality professional services to our clients. Our dedication to clients is reflective in a level of service that meets client needs for an impartial, unbiased, and professional property evaluation. We look forward to fulfilling all of your real estate inspection needs.

CREIA Inspectors provide the technical expertise, skill, and knowledge for performing a home inspection above and beyond the skill level provided by general or specialty licensed contractors. Be careful to not confuse a licensed contractor with a home inspector. Home inspectors have specialized knowledge, training, and experience to provide home inspections. Many CREIA inspectors were previously licensed contractors and each would be happy to explain why being a licensed contractor does not necessarily provide the expertise needed to be a real estate inspector.

Home Inspection: There are no licensing requirements for home inspectors in California anyone can claim to be a home inspector. Therefore, buyers must exercise extreme care and cautious consideration before hiring just anyone. Individuals may claim to be “Licensed” or “Certified” inspectors. CREIA Certified Inspectors (CCIs) and Master CREIA Inspectors (MCIs) must pass a technically rigorous examination process and must maintain their certification status with 30 hours of continuing education each year. Ask to see their CREIA identification badge. Insist on a home inspector that is invested in the real estate inspection profession and is abreast of the latest developments in the technical and fast-paced business of home inspection.

CREIA and ASHI membership is voluntary and demonstrates a dedication to continuing education and adherence to standards of practice and a code of ethics.

Perhaps the Legislature of the State of California stated it best, "It is the intent of the Legislature that, in ascertaining the degree of care that would be exercised by a reasonable competent home inspector pursuant to Section 7196 of the Business and Professions Code, the court may consider the standards of practice and code of ethics of the California Real Estate Inspection Association…”

Buyer's Inspection: The CREIA Certified Inspector (CCI) and the Master CREIA Inspector (MCI) have the specialized knowledge and experience to perform a home inspection and produce a written report outlining material defects discovered in the building's systems and components, and to recommend appropriate action. CREIA inspectors provide home inspections for homebuyers as well as sellers. A home inspection by a Certified CREIA Inspector protects and serves the needs of buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals equally. Whether you are buying, selling, or recommending a home inspector, choose a qualified CREIA Certified Inspector or Master CREIA Inspector. Click here for the publication on How to Choose a Home Inspector. 

Listing Inspection: CREIA Certified Inspectors (CCI) and Master CREIA Inspectors (MCI) provide home inspections for sellers as well as homebuyers. Many smart sellers, with encouragement from their real estate agents, are now choosing to do the home inspection at the beginning of the sales process. Providing a home inspection up front at the time you negotiate and accept an offer is the best way of avoiding costly delays and surprises during the escrow process. The number of surprises is reduced, both for the buyer and the seller. Fewer surprises mean less opportunity for disagreement and less likelihood that the transaction will fall apart. It also gives the seller an opportunity to make appropriate repairs at the beginning, so that the home will potentially show better and/or bring a better price. An early inspection may make your property increasingly marketable and reduce the expense of negotiating repairs later. A home inspection that is provided up front from your independent and respected CREIA home inspector will allow you to avoid further negotiation in the middle of the escrow period where the buyer is in a stronger position on the defects discovered in the inspection report.

The home inspection process is designed to protect and serve the needs of buyers, sellers, and real estate agents equally. When defects are not disclosed, by the seller or detected on an inspection, then all parties are vulnerable to difficult and protracted negotiations that could end up costing a lot of time, money, and sleepless nights. Real Estate agents and sellers do themselves a terrible disservice if they use an under-qualified inspector that may miss something or a biased inspector that may minimize or underreport the importance of a serious defect. That is when transactions can blow up in everyone’s face. Remember that most transactions that end up in court name all parties to the transaction as well as the Real Estate professionals and the home inspector as defendants. Our objective is to protect all parties to the transaction through a thorough inspection intended to discover material defects. When material defects are missed by the inspector, or not disclosed by a seller, all parties to the transaction pay a high cost. Whether you are buying, selling or recommending a home inspector, make sure you use a qualified CREIA Certified Inspector.

New Construction Inspection: The CREIA Orange County Chapter also has highly qualified inspectors who can inspect the new home you are buying or building. Relying on the city inspector to find all the defects in your new home may not be realistic. City inspectors have a very short time allotted for each inspection they do in a single day. City inspectors do their best in a short period of time and have a narrower focus on the scope of work. CREIA has addressed these shortcomings by developing the CREIA New Construction Specialist designation that includes a rigorous education and testing program. CREIA inspectors with this designation have passed the International Code Council’s (ICC) Combination Dwelling Certification Test, ICC. These are the same tests taken by many city inspectors. To obtain this designation, inspectors must pass all four tests (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing). Your new home deserves the attention a qualified CREIA New Construction Specialist can provide.

Real Estate Agents: The CREIA Orange County Chapter provides programs and speakers who are available to your Real Estate office. We can offer qualified speakers to provide education to those in your local office on the home inspection topic of your choice.

Commercial Inspection: Many of the CRIEA OC Chapter members have high levels of experience and are capable of filling your commercial real estate inspection needs. We can offer professional inspectors who can inspect a broad range of properties including apartment buildings, high-rise condos, and commercial properties. Be sure to check with your CREIA inspector for further information and recommendations.

Master CREIA Inspector: CREIA has developed the Master CREIA Inspector (MCI) certification for the most experienced inspectors who have prerequisites for the ability to sit for the CREIA MCI examination. In addition to the educational requirements, an inspector must have performed 1,000 verifiable inspections to be eligible to sit for the exam; which typically takes several years as a full time inspector to accomplish.

Realtors, Buyers, and Sellers may click here for more information.

You deserve the peace of mind that comes from using a CREIA Certified Inspector!

Chapter Serving

Aliso Creek, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Atwood, Balboa, Bolsa Chico, Brea, Buena Park, Camp Pendleton, Capistrano Beach, Capistrano Valley, Corona, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cowan Heights, Cypress, Dana Point, Dove Canyon, El Toro Station, Emerald Bay, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, La Habra, La Palma, Lake Forest, Lake Mission Viejo, Las Flores, Leisure World, Lido Island, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Modjeska, Monarch Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Orange, Ortega, Placentia, Portola Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rancho Viejo, Saddleback Valley, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Hot Springs, San Onofre, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Heights, Seal Beach, Shady Canyon, Silverado, South Laguna Beach, Stanton, Sunset Beach, Surfside, Talega, Three Arch Bay, Trabuco Canyon, Trabuco Highlands, Trabuco Oaks, Turtle Rock, Tustin, Tustin Foothills, Villa Park, Vista Del Mar, Yorba Linda, Westminster