Free checklist
Painting rough-in inspection checklist
Painting 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 manufacturer data sheets, MPI guidance — confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
- Items
- 8
- Photos required
- 10
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The painting foreman checking their own prep crew, or the GC's superintendent before coating starts.
When in the schedule
After surfaces are ready to receive paint and before the first coat is applied, once other trades have finished work in the 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.
Substrate condition
- 1 photo
Substrate moisture within the coating manufacturer's limits
Moisture meter reading on new drywall, plaster or masonry before priming, especially in recently wet-worked areas.
- 1 photo
Surface clean, dry and free of dust or grease
No sanding dust, oil, mildew or release agent residue left on the surface before coating begins.
- 1 photo
Substrate defects identified before coating covers them
Cracks, nail pops and rust noted and addressed, not painted over as-is.
Patching and sanding
- 2 photos
Patches and skim areas sanded smooth and feathered
Patch edges blended into the surrounding surface with no visible ridge or step.
- 1 photo
Nail holes, joints and fastener dimples filled
All visible fastener heads and small defects filled before the primer coat, not left for paint to hide.
Priming and masking
- 1 photo
Primer appropriate for the substrate and topcoat system
Primer type matches the manufacturer's recommendation for this substrate, sealing patches and bare areas.
- 2 photos
Masking and protection complete before coating starts
Hardware, trim, flooring and adjacent finishes covered or removed, edges taped cleanly.
- 1 photo
Ventilation and temperature within application range
Area ventilated and within the manufacturer's temperature and humidity range for application and cure.
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Coating applied over substrate that hasn't been checked for moisture, leading to blistering or peeling later.
- Sanding dust and patch residue left on the surface, trapped under the first coat.
- Masking incomplete, leaving adjacent finishes and hardware exposed to overspray or drips.
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 10 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 painting rough-in checklist cover?
- 8 items across 3 sections — substrate condition, patching and sanding, priming and masking. 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 painting foreman checking their own prep crew, or the GC's superintendent before coating starts.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- After surfaces are ready to receive paint and before the first coat is applied, once other trades have finished work in the area.
- Why does every item ask for a photo?
- 10 of the 8 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 painting rough-in inspection?
- Coating applied over substrate that hasn't been checked for moisture, leading to blistering or peeling later. Sanding dust and patch residue left on the surface, trapped under the first coat. Masking incomplete, leaving adjacent finishes and hardware exposed to overspray or drips.
- 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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