Checklists by trade
3 lists · 22 items · 33 photosHVAC inspection checklists
HVAC inspection checklists for the rough-in, pre-cover and final walks: 3 free lists, 22 items and 33 photo requirements, each item naming what to look for and the photo that proves it. Work is commonly verified against IMC (mechanical code) and SMACNA duct construction; the edition in force is the AHJ's call on each project.
The HVAC walks, in build order
HVAC Rough-in· HVACHVAC rough-in inspection checklistDuctwork, refrigerant lines, condensate and equipment setting before the walls and ceilings close8 items13 photosHVAC Pre-cover· HVACHVAC pre-cover inspection checklistThe above-ceiling walk before the grid and drywall close on ductwork and lines7 items11 photosHVAC Final· HVACHVAC final inspection checklistGrilles, registers, balancing and controls verified before startup and turnover7 items9 photos
Where each walk sits in the schedule
- HVAC rough-in inspection checklistrough-in
- After ductwork is hung, refrigerant lines run and equipment set in place, before insulation, drywall or ceiling grid closes the space. Run by: The HVAC foreman walking their own rough-in ahead of the pre-cover release.
- HVAC pre-cover inspection checklistpre-cover
- After the rough-in passes, the day before ceiling grid is set or drywall is scheduled on each area. Run by: The GC's superintendent with the HVAC foreman, releasing ceiling areas for grid or drywall.
- HVAC final inspection checklistfinal
- After grilles and registers are installed and the system is started, before the AHJ final and owner turnover. Run by: The HVAC foreman at trim-out, then the balancing tech and GC or owner's representative at final acceptance.
What most often sends HVAC work back
- Duct joints wrapped in tape before the seal class was verified against the pressure classification.
- Refrigerant line sets left unbrazed under nitrogen purge with no photo of the pressure gauge.
- Condensate lines run flat or uphill, discovered only after the ceiling closes and the pan overflows.
- Duct seal class checked visually from the floor, never touched or pressure-tested before the grid closed.
- Flex duct runs left with sags and kinks that choke airflow, invisible once the ceiling tile is in.
- Dampers left in the shipping position, never confirmed open or closed before access is lost.
- Balancing report submitted with numbers that don't match a spot-check reading taken at the register.
- Thermostats and controls programmed generically, never matched to the actual zone they serve.
Verified against
Families only, never clause numbers. Adoption varies by jurisdiction; confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
Common questions
- Which HVAC inspections do these checklists cover?
- HVAC rough-in inspection checklist (rough-in): After ductwork is hung, refrigerant lines run and equipment set in place, before insulation, drywall or ceiling grid closes the space. HVAC pre-cover inspection checklist (pre-cover): After the rough-in passes, the day before ceiling grid is set or drywall is scheduled on each area. HVAC final inspection checklist (final): After grilles and registers are installed and the system is started, before the AHJ final and owner turnover.
- Who runs an HVAC inspection?
- The HVAC foreman walking their own rough-in ahead of the pre-cover release. The GC's superintendent with the HVAC foreman, releasing ceiling areas for grid or drywall. The HVAC foreman at trim-out, then the balancing tech and GC or owner's representative at final acceptance.
- What most often sends HVAC work back?
- Duct joints wrapped in tape before the seal class was verified against the pressure classification. Refrigerant line sets left unbrazed under nitrogen purge with no photo of the pressure gauge. Condensate lines run flat or uphill, discovered only after the ceiling closes and the pan overflows. Duct seal class checked visually from the floor, never touched or pressure-tested before the grid closed.
- Which standards is HVAC work verified against?
- IMC (mechanical code), published by the International Code Council; SMACNA duct construction, published by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association. Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Can I run these checklists in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace and load any of the 3 lists (22 items in total). The Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached, and approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.