The pre-drywall inspection is your last opportunity to see and verify all electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural work before it’s permanently concealed behind walls. Once drywall is installed, identifying and fixing problems requires expensive demolition, making this inspection essential for catching issues early.
Why this matters: Problems discovered after drywall installation can cost thousands in demolition and reconstruction. Electrical code violations, plumbing leaks, HVAC installation errors, and structural defects are much easier and cheaper to address when systems are still exposed and accessible.
This comprehensive checklist ensures nothing gets overlooked during this critical construction phase, whether you’re building a custom home, completing a major renovation, or overseeing construction work.
When to Conduct Pre-Drywall Inspections
Schedule your pre-drywall inspection after all rough-in work is complete but before any drywall installation begins. This typically occurs after electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors have finished their rough-in phases and passed any required municipal inspections.
Coordinate with your general contractor to ensure all systems are ready for inspection and that any required municipal inspections have been completed and approved. Most jurisdictions require official rough-in inspections before allowing drywall installation, so verify these are complete before conducting your own detailed review.
Allow adequate time for this inspection as it requires careful examination of multiple systems throughout the entire structure. Plan for corrections and re-inspection if issues are discovered.
Electrical Rough-In Checklist
Verify all electrical rough-in work meets code requirements and matches your electrical plans:
- Panel and service: Main electrical panel properly installed with correct amperage rating and all circuits properly labeled
- Outlet placement: All outlets installed per plans including required GFCI locations in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and exterior areas
- Switch locations: Light switches installed at correct heights and locations according to plans
- Wire routing: All electrical cables properly routed through studs with appropriate nail plates protecting wires from drywall screws
- Junction boxes: All electrical boxes securely fastened and flush with future drywall surface
- Grounding: Proper grounding throughout system including equipment grounding and bonding
- Specialty circuits: Dedicated circuits for major appliances, HVAC equipment, and high-amperage devices properly installed
Electrical rough-in must pass municipal inspection before proceeding. Document any discrepancies from approved electrical plans and ensure all code violations are corrected.
Plumbing Rough-In Checklist
Inspect all plumbing rough-in to ensure proper installation and code compliance:
- Water supply lines: Hot and cold water lines properly routed and supported with correct pipe materials and fittings
- Drain and waste lines: All drain lines properly sloped for drainage with appropriate venting and cleanout access
- Fixture locations: All plumbing fixtures positioned according to plans with proper rough-in dimensions
- Water pressure: Test water pressure at various fixtures to ensure adequate flow throughout system
- Leak testing: All supply lines pressure tested and waste lines tested for proper drainage
- Pipe protection: Water lines protected from freezing in exterior walls and unheated areas
- Shut-off valves: Individual fixture shut-offs installed where required and accessible
Check that plumbing rough-in has passed required municipal inspection. Verify all fixtures will fit properly in designated locations and that access panels are provided where needed for future maintenance.
HVAC Rough-In Checklist
Examine heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for proper installation:
- Ductwork routing: All supply and return ducts properly sized, routed, and supported according to HVAC design
- Duct sealing: Ductwork connections properly sealed to prevent air leaks and energy loss
- Equipment placement: HVAC equipment properly positioned with adequate clearances for service and operation
- Refrigerant lines: Air conditioning refrigerant lines properly installed and insulated
- Electrical connections: HVAC electrical connections properly installed with correct disconnect switches
- Ventilation: Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans properly ducted to exterior with appropriate terminations
- Combustion air: Gas appliances have proper combustion air supply and venting systems
Verify HVAC installation matches approved plans and that all municipal inspections are complete. Ensure adequate access for future maintenance and filter changes.
Framing and Structural Checklist
Inspect structural framing for code compliance and construction quality:
- Foundation connection: Sill plates properly anchored to foundation with correct hardware and spacing
- Wall framing: All walls properly framed with correct lumber sizes and spacing per structural plans
- Floor and ceiling joists: Joists properly sized, spaced, and supported with appropriate hangers and connections
- Load-bearing modifications: Any modifications to load-bearing walls properly engineered and executed
- Window and door headers: Proper headers installed over all openings with correct sizing for spans
- Structural connections: All structural connections properly made with appropriate fasteners and hardware
- Fire blocking: Fire blocking installed in walls and between floors as required by code
Document any structural concerns and ensure all work has been approved by required structural inspections. Verify that framing matches approved structural plans.
Insulation and Vapor Barrier Checklist
Check insulation installation and moisture control measures:
- Insulation coverage: All exterior walls, attics, and floors over unconditioned spaces properly insulated
- Insulation quality: Insulation properly installed without gaps, compression, or voids that reduce effectiveness
- Vapor barriers: Vapor barriers installed on warm side of insulation where required by climate zone
- Air sealing: Gaps around windows, doors, and penetrations properly sealed to prevent air leaks
- Ventilation clearances: Insulation doesn’t block soffit vents or other required ventilation paths
- Electrical clearances: Insulation properly installed around electrical boxes and fixtures
Proper insulation installation is critical for energy efficiency and comfort. Verify installation meets or exceeds local energy code requirements.
Fire Stopping and Safety Checklist
Verify fire stopping and safety measures are properly installed:
- Fire blocking: Fire blocking installed in wall cavities, stairwells, and other required locations
- Penetration sealing: All utility penetrations through fire-rated assemblies properly sealed
- Smoke detector wiring: Hard-wired smoke detector circuits properly installed and interconnected
- Emergency egress: Bedroom windows meet egress requirements for emergency exit
- Handrail blocking: Blocking installed for future handrail installation on stairs
- Safety glazing: Safety glass installed in required locations near doors and in bathrooms
Fire stopping and safety measures are critical for occupant protection and must meet strict code requirements. Ensure all installations are properly completed before concealment.
Final Pre-Drywall Walkthrough
Conduct a comprehensive final walkthrough before authorizing drywall installation:
System verification:
- All electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-in work complete and inspected
- All required municipal inspections passed and approved
- All systems tested and functioning properly
- Any identified defects corrected and re-inspected
Documentation review:
- Compare installed work to approved construction plans
- Verify all change orders and modifications are properly documented
- Confirm all specialty items and custom features are correctly installed
- Take comprehensive photographs of all systems before concealment
Quality control:
- All work meets or exceeds applicable building codes
- Installation quality meets professional standards
- No obvious defects or code violations remain
- All contractors have signed off on their completed work
Only authorize drywall installation after confirming all items on this checklist are satisfactorily completed. Address any remaining issues immediately as correction becomes much more expensive after wall closure.
Conclusion
The pre-drywall inspection is your final opportunity to catch problems before they become expensive hidden defects. This comprehensive checklist ensures all electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, and safety systems are properly installed and code-compliant before concealment behind drywall.
Taking time for thorough pre-drywall inspection prevents costly surprises later and ensures your construction project meets quality and safety standards. Document everything carefully and don’t rush this critical phase of construction oversight.
