What is a CF1R, exactly?
The certificate that proves a design meets California’s Title 24, Part 6 energy standards — commonly called “the Title 24 report.” Here’s what’s actually in it and where it fits in your permit set.
One certificate, three letters that matter
A CF1R (Certificate of Compliance) is the design-phase Title 24 form for low-rise residential work — it documents that the building, as drawn, complies with Part 6 of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24). It comes out of an energy model built in CBECC-Res, gets registered with an approved data registry (CHEERS, in T24 Studio’s case), and is signed by the responsible designer. Plan check will not issue a residential permit without one on file.
The CF1R isn’t the only compliance form in the family — it’s just the one that happens before the permit is issued. Two more show up later in the job:
- CF2R (Certificate of Installation) — filled out by the installer during construction, confirming the equipment and features actually installed match what the CF1R modeled.
- CF3R (Certificate of Verification) — completed by a third-party rater for any measures that require field verification (see below), confirming they were tested and pass.
T24 Studio produces the CF1R. The CF2R is the installer’s paperwork on site; the CF3R, when one applies, comes from an independent field-verification rater — not from the person who built the energy model. More acronyms than you wanted? The Title 24 glossary has the rest of them in one place.
Prices
Flat fees, in writing before I start. No hourly, no bid package, no change-order games — the number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
Your first report with me
One per client, homes under 3,000 square feet. Full energy model, CF1R and CHEERS registration. It’s a test run — send one job and see how it goes.
Every model after the first
The standard rate once you’re a client — the second building, ADU plus main house, the next project that walks in. Back in 3 business days.
Over 3,000 square feet
Quoted from the plans before any work starts, same day.
24×36 plan-sheet set
Your CF1R laid out full size, matched to your drawing set. Comes back as a PDF you drop straight in.
Revisions
Two revisions included, plus questions any time. Past two I quote first, before I touch it.
Commercial / tenant improvement
Send the plans and you’ll have a flat quote back the same day. No deposit, no minimum.
How it works
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01
Send the plans
A PDF of the architecturals and the project address. If something’s missing I ask once, in one email — not five.
Mechanical and plumbing don’t have to be picked yet. If the plans don’t call out the HVAC or the water heater, I model what I’d normally specify for that job and tell you exactly what I assumed. Change any of it and I’ll rerun — that’s not a revision.
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02
I build the model
If the design does not comply as drawn, I tell you what the model needs to pass and the least disruptive way I can find to get there — your call what goes on the drawings.
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03
You get it back ready to sign
CF1R registered with CHEERS, you named as the responsible designer. 3 business days — 24–48 hours on your first one. Pay on delivery: Zelle, Venmo or Cash App.
One honest note
I’m not a licensed engineer or architect, and I don’t stamp drawings. On the CF1R I’m the documentation author — you stay the responsible designer. Nothing about your role on the job changes.
That’s on purpose. I’m not after your scope or your clients. I do one piece of the permit set — the piece that usually holds it up — and I do it fast.
CF1R questions
If yours isn’t here, see the full FAQ or call and ask.
What exactly is a CF1R?
The Certificate of Compliance for low-rise residential work, commonly called a Title 24 report — the form that proves the design meets California’s Title 24, Part 6 energy standards. Plan check will not issue the permit without it. It comes out of an energy model built in CBECC-Res, registered with a data registry, and signed by the responsible designer. That whole chain is what you’re handing me.
Does the project need HERS field verification?
Sometimes — typically for duct leakage, refrigerant charge, or certain heat-pump and quality-insulation measures. The CF1R lists exactly which measures need it, and I’ll flag it in the email so it isn’t a surprise at inspection. The field testing itself is done by a third-party HERS rater the owner or contractor hires; that’s outside what I do.
Who signs it — and does my role change?
Nothing about your role changes. On the CF1R I’m the documentation author. You stay the responsible designer and the registered document names you as such. I’m not a licensed engineer or architect and I don’t stamp drawings — that’s deliberate, not a limitation I’m working around.
Is a CF1R the same thing as CALGreen paperwork?
Get your CF1R started.
Send the plan set and the CF1R comes back registered, with you named as responsible designer.