What does this exterior decking rough-in checklist cover?

13 items across 3 sections, covering ledger and flashing, framing and connectors, posts and footings. 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 deck framing crew, or the GC's superintendent walking the structure before the deck boards hide the framing.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After posts, beams, joists and the ledger are set and before decking is laid, while every connection is still open to view.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

7 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 9 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 an exterior decking rough-in inspection?

The ledger nailed instead of bolted, or bolted with no flashing behind it, so it works loose and rots the band it hangs on. Joist hangers installed with roofing nails or half the holes empty, so the hanger never reaches the capacity it is rated for. Post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections left toe-nailed with no metal connector, so the frame racks under lateral load.

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

Exterior decking

Exterior decking rough-in inspection checklist

Exterior decking 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 the applicable building code, manufacturer's published instructions. 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.

Ledger and flashing

Ledger flashed and through-bolted to structure
Ledger fastened with bolts or structural screws on the specified pattern into solid framing, flashing lapped over the ledger to shed water behind the deck.
No photo
Deck-to-building connection bears on framing, not siding
At the ledger or any bracket to the building, siding, foam and trim cut back so the connection bears on the band or rim; free-standing decks held off the wall.
Ledger backing confirmed as the member the drawings show
The band, rim or wall the ledger bolts to is the member on the drawings, not brick veneer or a cantilevered floor; any mismatch goes to the designer.
No photo
Flashing lapped at the wall ends and under the door sill
Flashing turned up behind the WRB, lapped past the ends of the deck framing and tied under the door sill above so water runs out, not behind the deck.
No photo

Framing and connectors

Joists, beams and hangers sized and fully fastened
Members sized and spaced per the drawings, hangers and connectors filled with the specified structural fasteners, no empty holes or wrong nails.
Joist spacing within the decking manufacturer's span
Joist spacing measured against the drawings and the decking maker's span for this board and board angle, with closer spacing at diagonal runs and stair treads.
Framing pitched away from the building for drainage
Joists and beams set to the slope the drawings show, falling away from the wall so water off the boards drains out and not toward the door.
Hanger and bolt coating matches the deck's exposure on the drawings
Box labels for hangers, lateral connectors and ledger bolts read the coating or stainless grade the drawings give for this deck's weather, pool or salt exposure.
Beam splices land over posts and plies fastened as drawn
Beam splices sit over a post or at the location the drawings give, plies fastened on the pattern shown, beam bearing full on the post cap or notch.
No photo
Guard post blocking and hardware set before decking goes down
Blocking, tension ties or post brackets installed at every guard post location on the drawings while the framing is still open to fasten and photograph.
No photo
Joist tops taped where the decking warranty requires it
Where the spec or decking maker calls for joist tape, it covers joist and beam tops, laps at splices and runs down over cut ends before boards go on.
No photo

Posts and footings

Posts anchored to footings and tied to beams
Posts set on footings with proper standoff and anchors, post-to-beam connectors installed, no post in direct ground or standing water contact.
Lateral load connections or bracing installed per the drawings
Lateral connectors into the building's floor framing, or knee braces and post bracing on free-standing decks, installed with the hardware the drawings list.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

The ledger nailed instead of bolted, or bolted with no flashing behind it, so it works loose and rots the band it hangs on.
Joist hangers installed with roofing nails or half the holes empty, so the hanger never reaches the capacity it is rated for.
Post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections left toe-nailed with no metal connector, so the frame racks under lateral load.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this exterior decking rough-in checklist cover?: 13 items across 3 sections, covering ledger and flashing, framing and connectors, posts and footings. 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 deck framing crew, or the GC's superintendent walking the structure before the deck boards hide the framing.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After posts, beams, joists and the ledger are set and before decking is laid, while every connection is still open to view.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 7 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 9 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 an exterior decking rough-in inspection?: The ledger nailed instead of bolted, or bolted with no flashing behind it, so it works loose and rots the band it hangs on. Joist hangers installed with roofing nails or half the holes empty, so the hanger never reaches the capacity it is rated for. Post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections left toe-nailed with no metal connector, so the frame racks under lateral load.
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

Exterior decking FinalExterior decking final inspection checklistDecking laid with consistent gaps, railings and guards secure to height, and stairs safe as the finished deck14 items5 photos Exterior decking PunchExterior decking punch checklistCloseout callbacks for loose boards, wobbly guards and fastener pops on the finished deck9 items3 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 9 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.