Below you will find a thorough example of a typical frame inspection that needs to be completed when building your own home. It covers all aspects of the “pre-drywall” inspection that you should perform, and if properly done, will save you time in money during construction.

FRAME INSPECTION

Headers sized correctly – trimmers in place. Bearing
Wind bracing – all exterior corners, 25′ on center, secured, no “K” bracing, end gables
Additional studs below beams. Triples bolted/glued
Door/window trimmers – installed, proper quality, not too short.
Joist hangers – proper size, not missing nails, not missing, double angled.
Stairs – supported, treated below stringers.
Purlin – correct span, all splices, properly braced, correct angles, sized to rafter, 12″ max span
Ridges supported – both ends, 12″ on center, splices done properly if required
Hips supported – both ends, 12″ on center, splices done properly if required
Valleys supported – both ends, 12″ on center, splices done properly if required, 2 studs/blocks to slab
Ridges – 2 studs/blocks to slab
Hips – 2 studs/blocks to slab
Valleys – 2 studs/blocks to slab; block laydown
Fireplace – secured, nailers, clearance, raised (if necessary)
Double joists below water heater / furnace
Manufactured joist components – squash blocks, blocking panels, rimboards, joist hanger and finger joist blocks installed
Manufactured joists not damaged – flanges, webs, holes not too large or mislocated
Plates – nuts / washers, secured within 6″ of splice, and exterior doors, aligned. Treated
Proper stud spacing – improper splices 36″ required, furred ducts not missing, 16″ OC or 24″ OC as required. Stud blocking tight.
Walls and columns plumb, cross blocks, twisted. Interior/exterior
Three blocks at all corners and T’s
Ceilings installed. Spacing correct and plane properly
Stiffbacks – blocked and tied, spliced correctly if required, 2×6 upright, installed, not incomplete
Rat runs – tied at one end, not missing
Fire stops – stairs, breezeway, dropped ceilings, furr-downs, raked walls, vertical chases all complete
Sub-floor – Not deteriorated, not loose, no voids, no uneven, 3×3 at top of attic access for landing
Rafter/joists – Correct span and spacing
Collar ties – 1/3 distance below ridge, 2×6 used on over 10′ spans – every other rafter
Chimney – roof clearance, 2 corner studs to slab, flue clearance, secured, baloon framed.
Bridge blocks – installed, continuous, staggered
Cabinet blocks – 2×6 required – at 34″ – 54″ – and 84″
Short walls plumb and square and braced 4 ft on center
Medicine cabinet – present, 3″ from corners
Showers vertically blocked for green rock
Garage door trimmers – insalled, bottom cut at 45 degree, treated or cedar, plumb and not twisted
Tubs, showers, shelves all installed and level
Dead wood present – ceilings, angled corners, windows, and columns
Shower recess aligned with plates, 1″ plate, 1/2″ slab
Window margins – plumb/level, sides and head, continuous wood product shims

PLUMBING INSPECTION

No leaks – in supplies or drains
Pipes inside of walls – not bowing out
Nail guards installed – All piping, electrical panel attached in garage, freon lines, HVAC and water heater drains all with proper nail guards
Toilet flanges centered and secured
Water heater vent secured, 1/2″ clearance at combustibles
Gas Lines – Installed to all gas appliances. Less than 5′ from appliances
Shower heads secured with weatherproof screws, 6’6″ above finished shower floor typical
Stub out for sink drains secured
Hose bib flanges flush with slab and level
Clean out flush with slab
Drain arms have visible fall, blocked within 1/2″ of elbows
Stud shoes required on all bored studs that exceed the acceptable limit

HVAC INSPECTION

Primary drain – Fall away from unit, runs to vanity sink, bend required to reduce noise
Secondary drain – Installed, falling away from pan, exit over window or exterior door
Furnace vent – Installed, secure, 1″ to 2″ clearance
Exhaust fan – tubes not crushed or parting – vented to exterior
Ducts – Installed, secured, complete, supported. Blocked on 3 sides
Dryer vent – Installed, secured, no breaks, 8″ bottom above brick ledge
Refrigerant box blocked on 3 sides

ELECTRIC INSPECTION

Wiring complete – In boxes or stapled to frame inside walls
Smoke detector – Wired to bedrooms and outside bedrooms
Garage door openers – Plug and control wires installed
Security pre-wire – Complete, plug at control box
Bath fan – Installed, blocked square with walls, taped, wired
Service – Run to panel location, secured. Home runs through plate, nail guards
Phone / CATV – Installed, not touching vent pipes, not in return air chase
Ground wire run – Service plumbing
Wires insulated from water supply lines. Sleeves through brick
Recess fixture too close to combustibles

INSULATION INSPECTION

Sheathing attic space
Sheathing pony walls
Block joint spaces
Seal exterior sheathing
Block vertical chases

CORNICE/DECKING

Siding – Installed, smooth, nail butt joints, nails flush and snug. No staples. Z-flashing 4×8, not bowed, not wavey
Fascia – installed, straight, nailed properly, shingle mold. Touches shingles, level eyebrow
Soffit – Installed, tight joints, complete, primed
Brick frieze – Installed, level and plumb, complete
Soffit vents – Installed, tight joints, smooth, continuous sides/rear, louvered fronts
Windows – Installed, flanges nailed 16″ on center sides, 12″ on center top and bottom, plumb and level
Windows flashed – not missing, 1/4″ overhang, above wood trim
Exterior doors – Installed, long screws used, operate correctly, construction locks installed
Sheathing – Nailed 12″ on center perimeter, 12″ on center in field, no bridge nailing, installed, repair, no staples, raw wood covered
Pony brick ledges – inside and outside corners, windowsill
Sheathing penetrations – sealed with metal tape
Decking – Installed, level with shingle mold, nailed properly
Decking support – Clips, 2 each with 1/2 clips per unsupported sides, nail 6″ on center butt joints, 12″ on center in field
Poly on all windows

ROOFING INSPECTION

Shingles dried-in, straight, and flat
Roof jacks – Installed, (3) nails, vent min. 6″ above boot
Cap and collar installed, metal jack, water heater, and furnace
Flashing – roof/chimney flashing installed, cap, spark arrestor
Sky lite – Installed, tried in, level, square, plumb
Roof plane – no sags or crowns
Ventilation – ridge vents, air hawks and no dead space in attics

Please understand that this is not a “complete” inspection as should be performed by city and third party inspectors. While this is thorough and should be performed before pre-drywall, it is also important to get an inspection from a third-party. But for the purpose of building your own home, this list should give you insight into the depth of this stage (which is the most important.) If you have any questions regarding this list or particular items, feel free to ask them in the comments below.

Pre Drywall Inspection