PRE-DRYWALL INSPECTION

A pre-drywall inspection is a specific type of home inspection conducted during the construction of a new home, just before the drywall (or sheetrock) is installed. At this phase of construction, the home’s internal components, such as framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, are exposed and easily accessible. During our pre-drywall inspection, it is not uncommon for us to find items in need of repair. Having a third-party inspector come out and look at your home isn’t required, but we highly recommend it! As you walk through the house in its framed state, chances are you won’t know exactly what you’re looking at 100% of the time. It is not realistic to expect the construction to be perfect! Every builder in every price range will have some items from the city and the third-party inspector to correct.

Below is a small breakdown or list of what a pre-drywall inspection typically involves: inspections will cover the following components that are installed and accessible at the time of the inspection.

Structure

• Foundation
• Floors
• Walls
• Columns or piers
• Ceilings
• Roof framing

Exterior

• Wall claddings and trim and/or rough-in components, including visible flashings and house wrap for proper installation.
• Window Flashing details.
• Patios, Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches

Roof

• Installed roof coverings and/or underlayment and visible flashings before siding is installed.
• Roof penetrations

Plumbing

• Rough-in installation of water supply and interior distribution pipes
• Rough-in installation of interior drain, waste lines, and vent pipes
• Rough-in installation of fuel storage and distribution pipes

Electrical

• Rough-in of the service equipment panels and distribution panels
• Rough-in of branch wiring

Heating And Cooling

• Rough-in of heating and cooling equipment
• Readily visible chimneys, flues, and vents
• Rough-in of solid fuel heating devices
• Distribution systems Ductwork rough-in

Interior

• Wall framing or structure of steps, stairs, etc.
• Window condition and function and flashing defects.

Insulation And Ventilation

• Ventilation of attic and foundation areas
• Rough-in of kitchen, bathroom, and laundry vent systems

Some Common Issues We Find Wrong During Our Pre-Drywall Inspections.

• Walls that are not plumb or bowed
• House wrap installation errors.
• Windows and doors that were not installed square and will not function properly, as well as failing or improperly flashed.
• Broken roof trusses and rafters
• Damaged gusset or nailing plate for the roof truss
• Engineered floor joist cut through or damaged
• Missing joist hangers, wrong or missing hanger nails
• Incorrect joist hangers for the type of joist used
• Missing Anchor bolts or bolts improperly spaced, as well as missing nuts or washers

All of these errors compromise the integrity of your home. People make mistakes, but someone else’s oversight shouldn’t cost you in safety or expensive repairs down the road. Paying an expert to look out for your best interest is well worth the cost in the assurance that your home has been thoroughly examined for proper construction.

Advise:

If you can, try to schedule your third-party inspection to happen before your pre-drywall meeting. Make sure you clear the inspection with the builder first so that they’re aware of the inspection and know not to schedule any work to take place during that same time. By having the inspection done before your pre-drywall meeting, your project manager will be able to fix and address any issues the inspector finds and show you that they’ve corrected the findings of your pre-drywall inspection during your meeting if you can’t get an inspector out ahead of time though, no biggie! It is not uncommon for us to do the pre-drywall inspection in the morning or the day before your pre-drywall walk-through. It is our recommendation that you have the report in hand during your walk thru so the builder can put these items on their checklist to repair.

A pre-drywall inspection’s main advantage is that it allows one to address potential concerns when they’re most visible and accessible. It’s a proactive approach to ensure a new construction home’s quality, safety, and long-term durability. This inspection gives homeowners peace of mind and often saves money in the long run by identifying and rectifying issues before they become more significant problems.

Peace of mind: Once the inspection is done, you will have a written record of any issues, and you can document how they were fixed. Having a written record gives you something to refer back to, giving you peace of mind that you and your family have a safe home.

The information above is a partial list of what is included in a typical pre-drywall home inspection. Please click here for a complete list of inspected items, including inspection exclusions and limitations.

Our Services:

Other Services

Irrigation Testing (also available with Home Inspection)

Want to know what’s inspected during our inspection process? CLICK HERE

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