What does this framing rough-in checklist cover?

15 items across 4 sections, covering layout and alignment, headers and openings, shear panels and connectors, floor and roof framing. 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 framing foreman walking their own erection, or the GC's superintendent checking a wall or floor as it goes up.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

As each wall, floor or roof section is erected, before it's loaded with sheathing or the next level of framing.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

13 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 18 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 framing rough-in inspection?

Wall plumb checked once at the corner and assumed good along the whole run. Header sizes swapped in the field to use available stock, never checked against the engineered drawing. Shear panel nailing pattern started correctly and drifted looser toward the end of the sheet.

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

Framing

Framing rough-in inspection checklist

Framing 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, engineered drawings. 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.

Layout and alignment

Stud spacing and layout matches the plan
On-center spacing consistent along the wall, layout marks match the plan at door and window openings.
Walls plumb and floors level within tolerance
Level and plumb checked at multiple points along the run, not just at one corner.
Top and bottom plates continuous and properly lapped
Plate splices land over a stud, laps at corners and intersections tie the walls together.
Sill plate anchors, plate washers and nuts installed per plan
Anchor spacing and plate washers match the foundation plan, nuts snug, sill gasket or treated plate where specified.

Headers and openings

Header size and species match the engineered drawing
Header stamp or grade mark visible and matches the spec for that opening's span.
King and jack studs match the required count
Number of studs at each side of the opening matches the schedule for the header size and load.
Headers fully bearing with cripples above and below openings
Header ends sit fully on the jack studs, cripples on layout above the header and below the sill.
Header, beam or connector substitutions cleared with the engineer
Any field swap sent to the engineer of record, with the response on file before the substitute member goes in.
No photo

Shear panels and connectors

Shear panel nailing pattern matches the schedule
Nail spacing and edge distance consistent across the full panel, not just at the panel edges.
Hold-downs and structural connectors installed per plan
Connector model matches the schedule, fasteners filling every specified hole, no substituted hardware.
Hangers set at the correct height and fully nailed
Joist or beam seated fully in the hanger, every hanger hole filled with the specified fastener.

Floor and roof framing

Point loads carried down with solid posts to the bearing below
Posts and squash blocks stacked under each beam and girder bearing, continuous through every floor to the foundation or beam below.
Engineered lumber installed per the manufacturer's details
LVL, I-joist or glulam oriented correctly, with web stiffeners, blocking and bearing lengths the manufacturer's details show.
Truss or rafter bracing installed as the design shows
Permanent truss bracing in place with truss tags matching the layout; rafters and ceiling joists braced and tied as the framing plan shows.
Delivered trusses and beams checked against the approved package
Truss and engineered lumber delivery compared to the approved truss package and submittal before members are lifted.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Wall plumb checked once at the corner and assumed good along the whole run.
Header sizes swapped in the field to use available stock, never checked against the engineered drawing.
Shear panel nailing pattern started correctly and drifted looser toward the end of the sheet.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this framing rough-in checklist cover?: 15 items across 4 sections, covering layout and alignment, headers and openings, shear panels and connectors, floor and roof framing. 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 framing foreman walking their own erection, or the GC's superintendent checking a wall or floor as it goes up.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: As each wall, floor or roof section is erected, before it's loaded with sheathing or the next level of framing.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 13 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 18 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 framing rough-in inspection?: Wall plumb checked once at the corner and assumed good along the whole run. Header sizes swapped in the field to use available stock, never checked against the engineered drawing. Shear panel nailing pattern started correctly and drifted looser toward the end of the sheet.
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

Framing Pre-coverFraming pre-cover inspection checklistThe hold-point walk before sheathing and drywall bury blocking, bracing and connectors13 items16 photos Framing FinalFraming final inspection checklistFinish-adjacent framing checked for flatness and backing before trim and cabinetry13 items12 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 18 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.