What does this drywall rough-in checklist cover?

14 items across 3 sections, covering board hanging, openings and layout, rated assemblies. 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 drywall foreman checking their own hanging crew, or the GC's superintendent before releasing walls for tape.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After board is hung on a wall or ceiling and before the taping crew starts finishing that area.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

13 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 16 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 rough-in inspection?

Fastener spacing widened to speed up hanging, found only when boards flex or pop later. Rated assemblies short a layer or missing joint stagger, discovered after the wall is already taped. Cutouts at boxes oversized, leaving gaps the finishing crew has to patch instead of tape.

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

Drywall rough-in inspection checklist

Drywall rough-in is the last time the work is fully visible. Once the cover inspection passes and the walls, ceilings and slabs close, every defect left behind becomes a demolition bill. This checklist walks the rough-in in the order the work goes in, with the photo each item needs before it gets buried. Work is commonly verified against GA-216 / ASTM C840 guidance. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

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.

Board hanging

Fastener spacing and pattern match the assembly requirements
Screws or nails at the specified spacing along field and edges, no missed studs or skipped rows.
Fasteners seated without breaking the paper face
Screw heads set slightly below the surface in a dimple, no paper torn or fastener overdriven through the core.
Joints staggered and not aligned across adjacent sheets
Butt joints offset from row to row, no joints lining up over a single stud or ceiling framing member.
Bottom edge of wall board held off the floor
Board lifted clear of the slab or subfloor by the gap the spec shows, so it cannot wick water from a wet floor.
Board hung only over walls released by cover inspections
Confirm with the super that framing, MEP and insulation cover inspections were passed for this area before board went up.
No photo

Openings and layout

Cutouts at boxes, fixtures and penetrations sized close to the device
Gap around electrical boxes and penetrations small enough to be covered by the plate or trim, not a rough hole.
Board type matches the location
Moisture- or mold-resistant board at wet areas, correct thickness at ceilings versus walls.
Control joints installed where wall runs exceed the spacing limit
Control joint present at long uninterrupted wall or ceiling runs per the layout, not just at natural breaks.
Sheets wrap the corners of door and window openings
Board cut in an L around head corners so no joint lines up with the edge of the opening, where cracks start.

Rated assemblies

Layer count and orientation match the rated assembly detail
Correct number of layers installed, base layer joints offset from face layer joints as detailed.
Fastener type and spacing match the rated assembly listing
Screw length and spacing at rated walls match the tested assembly, not the standard non-rated pattern.
Rated wall boundaries continuous to structure
Board runs tight to deck or structure above, no gap left at the top of a rated partition.
Rated board type confirmed from the stamp on the sheet
Printed type marking on the back or edge of the board matches the rated board called for in the wall type.
Penetrations through rated board left clean for firestopping
Openings at pipe, conduit and duct cut to the size the firestop system needs, not packed with scrap board or oversized.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Fastener spacing widened to speed up hanging, found only when boards flex or pop later.
Rated assemblies short a layer or missing joint stagger, discovered after the wall is already taped.
Cutouts at boxes oversized, leaving gaps the finishing crew has to patch instead of tape.

Verified against

GA-216 / ASTM C840

Common questions

6 answers

What does this drywall rough-in checklist cover?: 14 items across 3 sections, covering board hanging, openings and layout, rated assemblies. 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 drywall foreman checking their own hanging crew, or the GC's superintendent before releasing walls for tape.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After board is hung on a wall or ceiling and before the taping crew starts finishing that area.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 13 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 16 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 rough-in inspection?: Fastener spacing widened to speed up hanging, found only when boards flex or pop later. Rated assemblies short a layer or missing joint stagger, discovered after the wall is already taped. Cutouts at boxes oversized, leaving gaps the finishing crew has to patch instead of tape.
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.

Related checklists

Drywall Pre-coverDrywall pre-cover inspection checklistBoard inspection before taping and finishing conceal fastener defects and damaged panels14 items15 photos Drywall FinalDrywall final inspection checklistFinish-level walk checking joints, corners and texture match under critical light before turnover14 items14 photos Drywall PunchDrywall punch checklistCloseout walk for dings, joint show-through and finish defects9 items6 photos

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 16 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.