Southern California, city by city
Housing age, terrain, climate and local rules change what an inspection focuses on. A 1925 cottage in San Clemente, a hillside home in Laguna Niguel and a new build in Menifee raise very different questions.
Orange County
- Aliso ViejoHOA documents, Polybutylene and early plastic plumbing, Tile roof underlayment
- AnaheimOriginal electrical panels, Original sewer laterals, Aluminum branch wiring
- Costa MesaOriginal electrical panels, Original sewer laterals, Additions and conversions
- Dana PointSalt air corrosion, Coastal bluffs, Decks and balconies
- FullertonKnob-and-tube and early wiring, Raised foundations and seismic bolting, Lead paint in pre-1978 homes
- Huntington BeachOriginal electrical panels, Aluminum branch wiring, Liquefaction zones
- IrvineTile roof underlayment, Polybutylene and early plastic plumbing, HOA documents
- Ladera RanchHOA documents, Tile roof underlayment, Newer construction
- Laguna BeachWildfire exposure, Hillside lots and slopes, Knob-and-tube and early wiring
- Laguna NiguelHillside lots and slopes, Tile roof underlayment, Wildfire exposure
- Lake ForestWildfire exposure, Polybutylene and early plastic plumbing, Aluminum branch wiring
- Mission ViejoAluminum branch wiring, Original electrical panels, Original sewer laterals
- Newport BeachSalt air corrosion, Liquefaction zones, Decks and balconies
- Rancho Santa MargaritaWildfire exposure, Tile roof underlayment, Polybutylene and early plastic plumbing
- San ClementeSalt air corrosion, Raised foundations and seismic bolting, Original sewer laterals
- San Juan CapistranoRaised foundations and seismic bolting, Original sewer laterals, Hillside lots and slopes
- Santa AnaKnob-and-tube and early wiring, Raised foundations and seismic bolting, Lead paint in pre-1978 homes
- TustinNewer construction, Tile roof underlayment, Polybutylene and early plastic plumbing
San Diego County
Riverside County
San Bernardino County
Regional patterns
Coast
Salt air corrosion, decks and balconies, bluff erosion, older beach cottages and drywood termites.
Hills and canyons
Slope drainage, retaining walls, expansive soils and wildfire exposure near open space.
Inland valleys
Air conditioning workload, hot attics, hard water, solar systems and newer construction.