FREE Pre-Drywall Documentation Checklist

• Confirm room layout matches the approved plans.
• Verify all doors, windows, openings, and room transitions are in the correct locations.
• Check ceiling heights, soffits, chases, and dropped areas.
• Confirm closets, mechanical rooms, stair openings, and utility spaces are framed correctly.
• Verify any approved change orders have been reflected in the field.

• Wide photos of each room
• Door and window openings
• Any unusual framing conditions
• Areas where field changes were made

• Check wall locations against the floor plan.
• Verify walls are plumb, straight, and properly braced.
• Confirm headers are installed where required.
• Check blocking for cabinets, handrails, towel bars, grab bars, TVs, shelving, and fixtures.
• Verify fire blocking and draft stopping where required.
• Look for damaged, cut, or over-notched studs.
• Confirm stair framing, landings, and guardrail blocking.
• Verify exterior wall sheathing and penetrations are properly sealed.

• Each wall before insulation
• Blocking locations
• Headers and structural openings
• Any damaged or altered framing
• Fire blocking locations

• Confirm outlet, switch, and light locations match plans and selections.
• Verify dedicated circuits are installed where needed.
• Check kitchen, bathroom, laundry, garage, and exterior outlet locations.
• Confirm smoke and carbon monoxide detector locations.
• Verify low-voltage wiring for internet, cameras, doorbells, speakers, security, and smart home systems.
• Check that electrical boxes are properly secured and set to the correct depth.
• Confirm wiring is protected from nail/screw damage where required.

• Full wall photos showing wire routes
• Panel location
• Outlet and switch rough-ins
• Low-voltage wiring
• Special wiring locations

• Confirm water supply and drain lines are installed in the correct locations.
• Verify shower, tub, toilet, sink, hose bib, and appliance rough-ins.
• Check laundry, water heater, and mechanical room plumbing.
• Look for proper pipe support and protection plates.
• Confirm plumbing penetrations are sealed where required.
• Verify any pressure testing has been completed before walls are closed.

• Bathroom wet walls
• Kitchen sink wall
• Laundry hookups
• Water heater area
• Tub and shower valve locations
• Main water lines and shutoff locations

• Verify duct locations and routing.
• Confirm supply and return air locations.
• Check bath fan, dryer vent, range hood, and exhaust duct routing.
• Verify mechanical equipment locations and clearances.
• Look for crushed, disconnected, or poorly supported ducts.
• Confirm penetrations through exterior walls or roof areas are properly sealed.
• Check thermostat wire location.

• Furnace or air handler area
• Supply and return duct routes
• Exhaust fan ducting
• Dryer vent route
• Range hood vent route
• Mechanical chases and penetrations

• Confirm gaps, cracks, and exterior penetrations are sealed before insulation.
• Check rim joists, corners, top plates, and bottom plates.
• Verify exterior wall penetrations are foamed or sealed.
• Confirm insulation areas are ready and free from debris.
• Check that recessed lights, attic access, and mechanical penetrations are properly prepared.

• Exterior wall cavities
• Rim joist areas
• Sealed penetrations
• Top and bottom plates
• Hard-to-access areas before insulation

• Confirm windows and exterior doors are installed in the correct locations.
• Check flashing, weatherproofing, and sealing around openings.
• Verify exterior penetrations for vents, hose bibs, electrical, gas, and mechanical systems.
• Confirm rough openings are protected from water intrusion.
• Look for visible gaps or missing sealant.

• Each window from inside and outside
• Exterior door openings
• Flashing details
• Exterior wall penetrations
• Areas with visible gaps or potential water entry points

• Confirm fire blocking is installed where required.
• Check draft stopping in concealed spaces.
• Verify protection plates are installed where wires or pipes pass through framing.
• Confirm stair, balcony, and guardrail blocking.
• Check garage separation walls and penetrations.
• Verify smoke and carbon monoxide detector rough-ins.
• Confirm required inspections have been completed before drywall.

• Fire blocking
• Protection plates
• Garage separation areas
• Stair and guardrail blocking
• Inspection tags or sign-offs

For every issue found, record:

• Location
• Trade involved
• Description of the issue
• Photo
• Priority level
• Person responsible
• Date identified
• Date resolved

• Missing blocking
• Incorrect outlet or switch placement
• Missing low-voltage wiring
• Plumbing in the wrong location
• Damaged framing
• Missing protection plates
• Unsealed penetrations
• Poor duct routing
• Missing fire blocking
• Field changes not shown on plans

Before drywall starts, capture a complete visual record of the project.

• Every wall in every room
• Each ceiling area with visible mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work
• Each bathroom wet wall
• Kitchen plumbing and electrical walls
• Laundry area
• Mechanical room
• Electrical panel
• Attic access areas
• Crawlspace or basement areas if applicable
• Exterior penetrations
• Utility shutoff locations
• Any areas that may be difficult to inspect later