Free checklist
Drywall final inspection checklist
Drywall final inspection is where the punch list is either short or expensive. This checklist walks the finished work the way an owner or AHJ will see it — devices on, systems running, everything labeled — with the photos that close the item instead of reopening it. Work is commonly verified against GA-216 / ASTM C840 guidance — confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
- Items
- 8
- Photos required
- 11
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The finishing crew lead at completion, then the GC or owner's representative at final walk.
When in the schedule
After the final coat and sanding are complete, before prime paint, using raking light to catch defects paint will highlight.
The checklist
Every item, and the photo that proves it
The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Copy the list as-is, or load it into RTI and let the gate enforce it.
Joint and surface finish
- 2 photos
Joints and fastener heads invisible under raking light
Hold a light at a low angle across the wall; no visible ridges, dimples or joint lines.
- 1 photo
Sanding smooth without scuffing the paper face
Surface uniformly smooth with no fuzzy paper, sanding scratches or gouges from the sander.
- 1 photo
Finish level matches what's specified for the location
Higher finish level at surfaces with critical lighting or gloss paint versus utility or concealed areas.
Corners and trim
- 2 photos
Corner bead straight and consistently coated
Outside corners run true with no waviness, compound feathered evenly on both sides.
- 1 photo
Inside corners crisp with no cracking
Tape fully embedded at inside angles, no visible cracking or separation at the corner line.
- 1 photo
Reveal and trim details clean and consistent
Reveal beads and any specialty trim run straight and consistently sized along their length.
Texture and patch matching
- 2 photos
Skim coat and texture match adjacent surfaces
Patched or skim-coated areas blend with surrounding texture, no visible patch outline once primed.
- 1 photo
Dust and debris cleaned before paint
Sanding dust removed from walls, floors and adjacent surfaces before the painter arrives.
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Joints and fastener dimples that disappear under flat light but flash visibly once primer or paint is applied.
- Corner bead dented or not straight, showing as a wavy line once painted.
- Patch repairs left with a different texture than the surrounding wall, visible in raking light.
Run it with the Photo Gate
A checklist nobody can submit half-finished
Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 11 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident record behind every line.
Submission state
The gate is enforced on the server, so it holds even if the phone is offline when the walk happens.
Verified against
Common questions
- What does this drywall final checklist cover?
- 8 items across 3 sections — joint and surface finish, corners and trim, texture and patch matching. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
- Who should run this inspection?
- The finishing crew lead at completion, then the GC or owner's representative at final walk.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- After the final coat and sanding are complete, before prime paint, using raking light to catch defects paint will highlight.
- Why does every item ask for a photo?
- 11 of the 8 items call for photo evidence. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
- What most often fails a drywall final inspection?
- Joints and fastener dimples that disappear under flat light but flash visibly once primer or paint is applied. Corner bead dented or not straight, showing as a wavy line once painted. Patch repairs left with a different texture than the surrounding wall, visible in raking light.
- Can I use this checklist in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.
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