Free checklist
Insulation rough-in inspection checklist
Insulation 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 energy code — confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
- Items
- 7
- Photos required
- 12
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The insulation foreman walking their own bays, or the GC's superintendent spot-checking a floor before drywall is released.
When in the schedule
As each area is filled, before drywall, sheathing or ceiling cover is scheduled on 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.
Cavity fill
- 2 photos
Batts fill the full depth and width of each cavity
Insulation in contact with all six sides of the bay, no compression, no voids at corners or edges.
- 2 photos
Insulation split and fitted around obstructions
Batts cut around pipes, wiring and boxes rather than stuffed behind them, no crushed sections.
- 1 photo
Installed R-value matches the spec for the assembly
Product label or bag tag photographed in place, matching the R-value called out for that wall or ceiling.
Air sealing coordination
- 2 photos
Gaps at top and bottom plates sealed
Foam or sealant at plate lines, penetrations and rim areas per the air-sealing scope.
- 2 photos
Chases and soffits blocked and insulated
Dropped soffits, tub decks and chases capped with a rigid barrier and insulated to the same level as the surrounding assembly.
Attic and ceiling work
- 2 photos
Blown or batt depth consistent across the attic
Depth markers visible and depth checked at multiple points, baffles holding insulation clear of the eave vents.
- 1 photo
Attic access and mechanical platforms insulated to spec
Access cover insulated and weatherstripped, walk platforms not creating uninsulated voids.
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Batts stuffed around pipes and wiring instead of split and fitted, leaving voids nobody can see after cover.
- R-value assumed from the order ticket rather than read off the batts actually installed.
- Top-of-wall and rim band gaps skipped because the ladder work is slow.
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.
Common questions
- What does this insulation rough-in checklist cover?
- 7 items across 3 sections — cavity fill, air sealing coordination, attic and ceiling work. 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 insulation foreman walking their own bays, or the GC's superintendent spot-checking a floor before drywall is released.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- As each area is filled, before drywall, sheathing or ceiling cover is scheduled on that area.
- Why does every item ask for a photo?
- 12 of the 7 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 insulation rough-in inspection?
- Batts stuffed around pipes and wiring instead of split and fitted, leaving voids nobody can see after cover. R-value assumed from the order ticket rather than read off the batts actually installed. Top-of-wall and rim band gaps skipped because the ladder work is slow.
- 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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