Free checklist
PaintingPainting 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.
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.
Substrate condition
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.
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.
Substrate defects identified before coating covers them
Cracks, nail pops and rust noted and addressed, not painted over as-is.
Trim, doors, frames and other non-drywall substrates prepped
Glossy trim and doors scuff-sanded or deglossed, bare metal frames cleaned of loose rust and mill scale, masonry past its cure with efflorescence brushed off.
Patching and sanding
Patches and skim areas sanded smooth and feathered
Patch edges blended into the surrounding surface with no visible ridge or step.
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.
Drywall finish accepted from the finisher before prime
Super or finishing lead walked the rooms with the painter first, so joint flash is not later blamed on the paint.
No photo
Priming and masking
Primer appropriate for the substrate and topcoat system
Primer type matches the manufacturer's recommendation for this substrate, sealing patches and bare areas.
Masking and protection complete before coating starts
Hardware, trim, flooring and adjacent finishes covered or removed, edges taped cleanly.
Ventilation and temperature within application range
Area ventilated and within the manufacturer's temperature and humidity range for application and cure.
Paint product data approved for each coating system
Product data for every primer and finish on the schedule approved by the architect or owner before cans are opened.
No photoCan labels match the finish schedule for the room
Product line, color name or code and sheen on the label match what the finish schedule shows for this room.
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.
Verified against
Common questions
6 answers
- What does this painting rough-in checklist cover?
- 12 items across 3 sections, covering 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 do these items ask for a photo?
- 10 of the 12 items call for photo evidence, 12 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 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.
Related checklists
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.
See all 508 checklists · 6741 items and 5984 photo requirements in total.