What does this rough carpentry final checklist cover?

12 items across 5 sections, covering framing complete and true, backing and blocking complete, connectors and fasteners, notching and boring, and more. 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 carpentry foreman with the GC's superintendent, walking the completed rough framing before the framing inspection and before cover.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After all blocking, nailers and sheathing are complete, before the framing inspection and before insulation and drywall go up.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

6 of the 12 items call for photo evidence, 8 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 rough carpentry final inspection?

Studs bowed or out of plumb left in a wall that reads fine empty but telegraphs every wave through the finished drywall. Hangers and connectors installed with the wrong fastener or half the holes empty, so the connection never reaches its rated capacity. Notches and bored holes in joists and studs run past the allowable limits for wiring and plumbing, weakening members that already carry load.

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

Rough carpentry

Rough carpentry final inspection checklist

Rough carpentry final inspection is where the punch list is either short or expensive. This checklist walks the finished work the way an owner or AHJ will see it: devices on, systems running, everything labeled. Each item gets the photo that closes it instead of reopening it. Work is commonly verified against the applicable building code, manufacturer's published instructions. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

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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.

Framing complete and true

Walls plumb, straight and fully fastened
Studs plumb and in plane, top and bottom plates nailed off, no bowed or twisted members left in finish walls, all framing members present.
Framing and blocking moisture read with a meter before cover
Meter readings on studs, plates and blocking in each area within the limit the spec or the insulation and board makers list; wet members reported before cover.

Backing and blocking complete

Backing locations recorded before the wall is released
Each backing piece photographed with a tape from the floor or a gridline, or marked on the record set, so finish trades and the owner can find it after drywall.
Backing walked with each trade after plumbing and electrical rough-in
Trade foremen check backing against their layouts once pipes and boxes are in; any piece missed, cut or knocked loose is replaced or reported before cover.
No photo
Ceiling blocking in place for suspended items
Blocking above the ceiling line for projectors, curtain track, hung lights and equipment installed at the locations on the trades' layouts and fastened to the structure above.
No photo
Wood bucks and grounds at openings and trim set to the details
Bucks, sill blocking and grounds for door frames, windows, base and wall panels set to the size, depth and line the opening and finish details show.
No photo

Connectors and fasteners

Hangers, straps and connectors fully nailed with the specified fastener
Every connector filled with the correct nail or screw, no empty holes, connectors seated tight to the members they join.

Notching and boring

Notches and holes within allowable limits
Bored holes and notches for other trades kept within size and location limits for the member, reinforced or corrected where a run went too far.

Sheathing, roof edges and treated wood

Wall sheathing sound and flat before the air barrier goes on
Wall and parapet panels checked for swelling, delamination, broken faces and raised fasteners before the air barrier covers them, damaged panels marked for replacement.
Roof-edge nailers complete and walked with the roofer
Every edge, curb and opening nailer is fastened out and continuous through corners and transitions, and the roofing foreman has walked it before membrane is loaded on the roof.
No photo
Parapet cap blocking sloped as the coping detail shows
Tapered blocking or cap nailers on parapet tops set to the slope and width the coping detail shows, so water sheds toward the roof side.
No photo
Treated-wood offcuts and sawdust handled per the safety data
Treated scraps and sawdust collected and disposed of as the treater's safety data and the spec direct, never burned on site or left in wall cavities.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Studs bowed or out of plumb left in a wall that reads fine empty but telegraphs every wave through the finished drywall.
Hangers and connectors installed with the wrong fastener or half the holes empty, so the connection never reaches its rated capacity.
Notches and bored holes in joists and studs run past the allowable limits for wiring and plumbing, weakening members that already carry load.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this rough carpentry final checklist cover?: 12 items across 5 sections, covering framing complete and true, backing and blocking complete, connectors and fasteners, notching and boring, and more. 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 carpentry foreman with the GC's superintendent, walking the completed rough framing before the framing inspection and before cover.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After all blocking, nailers and sheathing are complete, before the framing inspection and before insulation and drywall go up.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 6 of the 12 items call for photo evidence, 8 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 rough carpentry final inspection?: Studs bowed or out of plumb left in a wall that reads fine empty but telegraphs every wave through the finished drywall. Hangers and connectors installed with the wrong fastener or half the holes empty, so the connection never reaches its rated capacity. Notches and bored holes in joists and studs run past the allowable limits for wiring and plumbing, weakening members that already carry load.
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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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 8 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.