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Pre-Drywall Inspection

Although a third-party pre-drywall inspection is not required, it is strongly recommended. Builders across all price points encounter items that require correction, and most homeowners are not trained to identify construction defects during a framed walk-through. A professional pre-drywall inspection helps protect your investment before problems are sealed behind the walls.

inside of an attic during a pre-drywall inspection when the framing and insulation are visible
Ceiling joists with multiple splits and damage in wood members indicated by three red arrows

What Is Inspected During a Pre-Drywall Inspection

A pre-drywall inspection is a specialized home inspection performed during the construction of a new home, just before drywall or sheetrock is installed. At this stage, critical components such as framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems are fully exposed, allowing potential issues to be identified while they are still visible and accessible. This allows defects to be corrected early, when repairs are typically faster and less costly.

Structural Components

    • Foundation
    • Floors, walls, columns, piers, and ceilings
    • Roof framing

Exterior Components

    • Wall claddings, trim, and rough-in components
    • Visible flashings and house wrap installation
    • Window flashing details
    • Patios, decks, balconies, porches, stoops, and steps

Roofing

    • Installed roof coverings or underlayment
    • Visible roof flashings and penetrations

Plumbing

    • Water supply and distribution rough-ins
    • Drain, waste, and vent piping
    • Fuel storage and distribution piping

Electrical

    • Service equipment and distribution panels
    • Branch wiring rough-ins

Heating & Cooling

    • HVAC equipment rough-ins
    • Chimneys, flues, and vents
    • Ductwork and distribution systems

Interior

    • Wall framing and stair structures
    • Window condition, function, and flashing

Insulation & Ventilation

    • Attic and foundation ventilation
    • Kitchen, bathroom, and laundry vent rough-ins

The content above represents a general overview of what is included in a typical pre-drywall inspection. For a complete list of inspected items, exclusions, and limitations, please click here.

Common Issues Found During a Pre-Drywall Inspection

It is not uncommon for a pre-drywall inspection to uncover construction defects that could impact the safety, performance, or durability of the home. While mistakes happen on every job site, identifying them early helps prevent costly repairs later. Some common issues we find include:

  • Walls that are bowed or not plumb
  • Improper house wrap installation
  • Windows and doors not installed square or flashed correctly
  • Broken roof trusses or rafters
  • Damaged gussets or truss nailing plates
  • Cut or damaged engineered floor joists
  • Missing or incorrect joist hangers and fasteners
  • Missing or improperly spaced anchor bolts, nuts, or washers

All of these issues can compromise the structural integrity of the home. A professional pre-drywall inspection ensures these concerns are documented and addressed before drywall is installed.

Metal truss connector plate improperly installed or damaged on roof truss connection

Pre-Drywall Inspection Photo Gallery

Below are real examples of issues discovered during our pre-drywall inspections. These photos highlight why this phase of inspection is so critical—once drywall is installed, many of these defects would be hidden from view.

Joists improperly bearing on support with circled area showing structural deficiency
Framing with circled area showing misaligned connection with caption questioning framer's decision-making
Ceiling joists with multiple splits and damage in wood members indicated by three red arrows
Ceiling joists with multiple defects indicated by four red arrows showing improper installation
Window installation with exposed wood header above window frame showing missing flashing and water barrier protection
Ryan Homes construction showing exposed gable peak with inadequate house wrap coverage circled in red
Metal joist hanger with missing fasteners indicated by two red arrows showing incomplete installation
KingSpan GreenGuard house wrap improperly installed on home gable with gaps and tears circled in red
Concrete foundation floor showing gap or separation at wall framing connection point with pink marking
Framing showing improper joist connection or support detail with red arrow
Ceiling insulation with electrical wire improperly pinched or compressed by metal wire support
Close-up of door frame showing gaps between frame and rough opening with improper installation
Metal truss connector plate improperly installed or damaged on roof truss connection
Cracked concrete floor slab with arrow pointing to structural crack in foundation

Check Out Our List Of Services

We strive to be your One-Stop-Shop and offer the following residential and commercial services.
  • Buyer Inspection
  • Certified Move-In Ready
  • New Construction Inspection
  • Pre-Drywall Inspection
  • 1-Year Builder's Warranty Inspection
  • Commercial Inspection
  • Radon Testing
  • Mold Testing
  • Thermal Imaging Inspection
  • Foreclosure/As-Is Inspection
  • Well Water Testing

What's Inspected During Your Home Inspection

  • The Exterior and Interior of the Structure
  • Rain Protection
  • Attic
  • Crawlspace
  • Surrounding Components
  • Plumbing
  • Domestic Water Heater
  • Heating System
  • Air Conditioning
  • Electrical System
  • Garage or Carport
  • Fireplace

Where Accuracy, Honesty, and Integrity Matter!

Among the many reasons you’d want to buy a home in Charlotte, AHI Residential & Commercial Inspections, Inc. will help you make your most informed decision in settling in and making sure your living experience will be an incredibly pleasant and memorable one. 

We have seen many inexperienced and unreliable home inspectors leaving homebuyers and sellers a  big deal of regret. Our professionals at AHI Residential & Commercial Inspections, Inc. have been dedicated to helping homeowners, home buyers, home sellers, real estate agents and the like acquire vital information about any issues and positive features of all aspects of the property they’re looking at. If you want to make the right move in one of the best places to live in the country, AHI Residential & Commercial Inspections, Inc. is your right choice to make it happen.

For quality home inspection service like no other, call (704) 774-8765 today or Click To Schedule Online 24/7 Right From Our Website.

home inspector testing a gfci outlet in the kitchen to see if it is properly installed
Cracked concrete floor slab with arrow pointing to structural crack in foundation

Why Timing Matters for Your Pre-Drywall Inspection

Scheduling a pre-drywall inspection at the right time allows issues to be identified while critical systems are still exposed and easy to correct. This proactive step helps ensure construction quality, long-term durability, and fewer surprises after drywall is installed.

When to Schedule

For best results, schedule your pre-drywall inspection before the builder’s pre-drywall meeting or walkthrough. If that’s not possible, inspections are commonly performed the day before or the morning of the walkthrough so findings can be addressed promptly.

Peace of Mind

After the pre-drywall inspection, you receive a written report documenting any findings and recommended corrections. This record helps track repairs and provides confidence that issues were properly addressed before construction moves forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about the pre-drywall inspection process.

What is the purpose of a pre-drywall inspection?

A pre-drywall inspection identifies construction defects while systems are still exposed, allowing corrections before drywall is installed.

Will the builder fix issues found during the inspection?

In most cases, builders address documented concerns identified by a third-party inspector, though this varies by builder.

Is a pre-drywall inspection required?

No, but it is highly recommended to protect your investment and avoid hidden issues. It also allows builders to address problems now.

Is this a full inspection of the home?

The information above represents a partial list of inspected items. Additional components, exclusions, and limitations apply.

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