What does this drywall checklist cover?

12 items across 4 sections, covering before board goes up, hang, rated assemblies, finish. 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?

Drywall foreman and the GC superintendent; the pre-cover signoff usually needs each rough-in trade to confirm.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

Pre-cover immediately before hanging. Finish inspection after final sanding, under the lighting the space will actually use.

Why does every item ask for a photo?

All 12 items call for photo evidence, 23 photos in all. 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 inspection?

Board hung over an unsigned rough-in, so a later defect means cutting open finished wall. Rated assemblies missing firestopping at penetrations that were photographed after the board went up. Finish level disputed at paint because nobody agreed on it in writing beforehand.

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.

Free checklist

Drywall inspection checklist

The drywall walk is really two walks: the one before board goes up, which is the last chance to see everything behind it, and the one after finishing, which decides whether paint will look right. Both belong in the record.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Before board goes up

All rough-in trades signed off in writing
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, low voltage and fire protection each confirmed complete.
Insulation installed, complete and unfaced areas covered
No gaps at plates, corners and around boxes; batts not compressed behind wiring.
Blocking and backing verified against the finish plan
Last chance to add blocking for anything hanging on this wall.

Hang

Board type correct for the location
Moisture- and abuse-resistant types where specified; correct thickness for the framing spacing.
Fastener spacing and depth correct
Screws dimpled but not breaking paper; no missed studs; no fasteners in the field of a floating corner.
Joints staggered and gaps within tolerance
End joints offset, cutouts tight to boxes, no gaps that will need filling with compound alone.

Rated assemblies

Rated walls built full height and continuous
Board carried to deck where required, no interruptions above the ceiling line.
Penetrations firestopped with the listed system
Photograph each penetration with the applied material before the ceiling closes.
Rated walls identified above the ceiling
Permanent labelling at the required intervals so a future trade knows what it is cutting.

Finish

Finish level matches the specification for each area
Agree the level per space up front; check with a light held close to the surface.
Corners, beads and transitions straight and tight
No crowning, no bead exposed through the compound, consistent reveals at openings.
Surface ready for finish under final lighting
Walk with the actual fixtures on; document what is accepted and what is on the punch list.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Board hung over an unsigned rough-in, so a later defect means cutting open finished wall.
Rated assemblies missing firestopping at penetrations that were photographed after the board went up.
Finish level disputed at paint because nobody agreed on it in writing beforehand.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this drywall checklist cover?: 12 items across 4 sections, covering before board goes up, hang, rated assemblies, finish. 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?: Drywall foreman and the GC superintendent; the pre-cover signoff usually needs each rough-in trade to confirm.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: Pre-cover immediately before hanging. Finish inspection after final sanding, under the lighting the space will actually use.
Why does every item ask for a photo?: All 12 items call for photo evidence, 23 photos in all. 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 inspection?: Board hung over an unsigned rough-in, so a later defect means cutting open finished wall. Rated assemblies missing firestopping at penetrations that were photographed after the board went up. Finish level disputed at paint because nobody agreed on it in writing beforehand.
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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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 23 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.