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Pre-drywall inspection checklist

The pre-drywall walk is the single most valuable inspection on a residential job, because it is the last time the whole assembly is visible at once. Run it as one list across all trades rather than four separate sign-offs that never line up.

Items
11
Photos required
20
Built for
Residential builders

Who runs it

Builder's superintendent, with each trade foreman available to correct on the spot.

When in the schedule

After every rough-in is complete and insulation is in, immediately before board is delivered.

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.

01

Structure

  • Framing corrections from the structural walk completed

    Close out every open framing item with a correction photo before covering.

    2 photos

  • No unauthorised notching or boring by rough-in trades

    Walk each MEP run and check the members it passes through.

    2 photos
02

Rough-in

  • Electrical rough-in complete and boxes at finish depth

    Devices located against the final furniture and cabinet plan.

    2 photos

  • Plumbing tested and still under test at the walk

    Gauge readable in the photo, with the time noted.

    2 photos

  • Mechanical duct sealed and condensate trapped

    Seals visible before insulation covers them.

    2 photos

  • Low voltage and future runs pulled

    Data, AV and security runs in place — retrofitting these after finish is the expensive kind of change order.

    1 photo
03

Envelope and insulation

  • Air sealing complete at plates, penetrations and rim

    Every hole through the envelope sealed before insulation hides it.

    2 photos

  • Insulation installed without gaps or compression

    Full contact at all six sides of the cavity; batts split around wiring, not compressed behind it.

    2 photos

  • Window and door flashing visible and correct

    Sill pan and lapping visible from inside where the assembly allows.

    2 photos
04

Blocking and buyer selections

  • Blocking installed for every wall-hung item

    Cabinets, grab bars, handrails, mounted displays, shelving.

    2 photos

  • Buyer-selected changes reflected in rough-in

    Walk the current selection sheet against the wall in front of you.

    1 photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

  • Trades sign off on different days, so the last one covers a defect created by the second-to-last.
  • Photos taken of the pretty wall and not the mechanical chase.
  • Buyer-selected changes not reflected in blocking, discovered at trim.

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 20 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident record behind every line.

Start freeTry the gate first

Submission state

Mandatory items answered11 of 11
Photos attached17 of 20
Submit locked — 3 photos missing

The gate is enforced on the server, so it holds even if the phone is offline when the walk happens.

Related checklists

FramingFraming inspection checklistPre-drywall walk: bearing, connectors, notching, blocking.13 items27 photosDrywallDrywall inspection checklistPre-cover sign-off, hang, rated assemblies and finish level.12 items23 photosPlumbing rough-inRough-in plumbing inspection checklistSupply, DWV, slope, supports and the pressure test that proves it.13 items24 photos

See all 69 checklists — 614 items and 1031 photo requirements in total.