Around 5.9 million single-family homes were built in the United States between 2012 and 2019. The number is definitely big, but is it a surprise? Nope. Especially if we consider how building or renovating your home can give you peace of mind and create that perfect, dreamy space. This is such a thrilling process, especially once the house’s foundation has been laid, the structure starts to come together, and you gradually start seeing your dream home becoming a reality.

But it’s surely a stressful process as well. You end up worrying about so much, from the details of the construction to the legal side of building a property. At a point, you might ask yourself, “Arghh, when will this end?” So, if you wish to avoid this frustration, you need to be as informed as possible. The more you know about your property, the more you will know how to deal with issues that might come up during construction.

We’ve put together a guide to help you know what to look for during a pre-drywall inspection. Once you know what exactly you’re looking for, you’ll be less likely to miss anything.

Pre-Drywall Inspection Checklist

Let’s see what you shall not miss in your pre-drywall inspection.

HVAC Units

This one tops the list. You need to consider checking for the HVAC system during the pre-drywall inspection. Since these units control not just the temperature but also the air quality, considering these first will help you ensure comfort and health within your home. Several issues might occur when doing a pre-drywall inspection. These could range from gas pipe leaks to insulation issues. So, adding HVAC systems to the list means ensuring a more comfortable and safer home.

Plumbing System

Moving forward, a plumbing system is another thing you should not miss out on. After all, you don’t want to face issues like leaky pipes or toilets not working properly once everything is ready, and you have moved in. It will be nothing less than a dream home becoming a nightmare (something you surely don’t want). So, instead of fixing these issues by tearing your house apart, it will be much better to be sure about the system’s condition before putting up the drywall.

Dishwasher Issues

Now that the plumbing system is checked, it will be much better to check the dishwasher. This will make a huge difference. You might be surprised how many issues there could be and how costly fixing them could be. When checking the dishwasher, look out for issues like a detached or loose drain line and a lack of drying pan that might lead to leaks.

Electrical Problems

This is another major issue that usually surfaces once you have already settled in your home. This is why it’s better to cater to these before putting up the drywall. During the inspection, ensure that everything is wired right and in the right place so that you don’t tear through the walls once the drywall is installed. When you’re looking for electrical problems, make sure to look out for the following:

Proper placement of electrical boxes throughout the home
Correct location of electrical outlets
Ensuring cable and ceiling fan wiring are properly connected
Checking for non-functioning electrical outlets
Verifying that the grounding rod is securely connected to the ground wire
Inspecting for missing electrical shield plates

In fact, it will be best to call an electrician to join you while conducting a pre-drywall inspection. This will ensure that you haven’t missed anything that might lead to major issues in the long run.

Flooring Issues

This is another major thing you must not miss when getting a pre-drywall inspection. Definitely, you don’t want to rip off the floor once everything is done. That’d be such a nuisance. So, if you wish to not experience anything of such sort, it’s better to add floors to your pre-drywall inspection checklist.

Since the floor is connected to the foundation and numerous pipes run beneath it, you’ll be examining the floor while assessing the foundation and any potential plumbing issues. But what exactly are you looking for? First off, the proper arrangement of floor to floor tiles. Secondly, the floor joists must be installed correctly. They also need to be supportive and evenly spaced out. Thirdly, the floor must meet the foundation and walls correctly.

If you get confused while checking for flooring issues, it will be much more helpful to just look at the original floor plan; everything should match that plan.

Wall Issues

Walls are a part of your home’s interior and exterior, both. So, if you miss out on walls while inspecting your house, then it can lead to some major issues like leaks. When looking for wall issues, this is what you need to ensure:

They must be completely sealed from the outside.
They must not be bowed but straight.
They’re properly insulated.
Anything on walls (like HVAC units) is appropriately planned and measured.

Remember, you need to look at the walls from both the inside and the outside. Depending on where you look at the walls, you will find different issues.

Roof Problems

Any issue with your roof can cause major problems. Whether it be leaks or missing shingles, anything could cause headaches once you move in. So, it’s always better to play smart and look out for problems beforehand. This is why you should not miss looking for roofing problems when conducting a pre-drywall inspection.

Foundation Issues

Again, this is another major part of your house that must not be missed when conducting a pre-drywall inspection. We all know what major role the foundation plays in holding up the entire house, so, (obviously), it needs more attention. When inspecting, ensure it is strong, planned, and, most importantly, built correctly.

While looking for the issues with the foundation, the following is what you need to look out for:

House’s grading
Whether there is any exposed land beneath the house
Whether there is anything that could compromise the house’s structure (built on the foundation)

Conclusion

A pre-drywall inspection is a very important step that helps ensure the safety and longevity of your home. Once you thoroughly inspect the key elements from the HVAC to the foundation, you can prevent costly repairs and avoid potential headaches down the road.

At first, this might seem overwhelming, but by being proactive and informed, you can catch issues before they transform into major problems. So, whether you’re building your dream home or renovating it, it will be much better if you take the time to conduct a thorough inspection. This will help ensure everything is in order, bringing you peace of mind and setting the foundation for a comfortable, safe living space.

If you want to ensure your home is built to last and avoid unexpected issues, a pre-drywall inspection is essential. At The BrickKicker, our experts are here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring nothing gets overlooked. If you’d like to learn more or need further guidance, talk to our experienced team at The BrickKicker today! Let us help you build your dream home with confidence.

8 Things to Look For in a New Home Pre-Drywall Inspection