Free checklist
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.
- Items
- 9
- Photos required
- 12
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The drywall foreman checking their own hanging crew, or the GC's superintendent before releasing walls for tape.
When in the schedule
After board is hung on a wall or ceiling and before the taping crew starts finishing that area.
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.
Board hanging
- 2 photos
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.
- 1 photo
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.
- 1 photo
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.
Openings and layout
- 2 photos
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.
- 1 photo
Board type matches the location
Moisture- or mold-resistant board at wet areas, correct thickness at ceilings versus walls.
- 1 photo
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.
Rated assemblies
- 2 photos
Layer count and orientation match the rated assembly detail
Correct number of layers installed, base layer joints offset from face layer joints as detailed.
- 1 photo
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.
- 1 photo
Rated wall boundaries continuous to structure
Board runs tight to deck or structure above, no gap left at the top of a rated partition.
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.
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 12 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 rough-in checklist cover?
- 9 items across 3 sections — 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 does every item ask for a photo?
- 12 of the 9 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 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.
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