A pre-drywall inspection is a walk through a new house after the framing, wiring, plumbing and ductwork are in, and before insulation and drywall cover them. It's the one inspection people skip, and it's the one that matters most.
Once drywall goes up, nobody sees the framing, the plumbing runs, the electrical rough-in, the ductwork, the flashing or the insulation again for the life of the house. Walk through it below, then read what to know before you go.
New Construction
This is a new house at the framing stage, right before insulation and drywall. It's the last time anyone sees the wiring, plumbing, ductwork and flashing. Tap a red marker to see what to check, or walk all 15 stops in order.
The pre-drywall window is usually a few days, between rough-in approvals and insulation. Get it on the calendar early.
City inspectors check code. Code is a minimum standard, not a quality standard, and the city inspector works for the city, not for you. For the whole build from lot to closing, see new construction in Fishers.
After the city or county approves the rough-in inspections and before insulation goes in. That window is usually a few days, so get it on the calendar early and ask the builder's site contact to tell you the moment rough-ins pass.
Ask before you sign. Some builder contracts limit third-party inspections or require the builder to approve your inspector. If the answer is no, that tells you something.
No. City inspectors check code. Code is a minimum standard, not a quality standard, and the city inspector works for the city, not for you.
Your floor plan and your upgrade sheet, a phone for photos, a tape measure, and the printable checklist from the New Construction Playbook. Count outlets, can lights and blocking against what you paid for.
Write it down with a photo and send it to the builder in writing. Ask for confirmation that it's fixed before insulation goes in, and check it yourself if you can. A fix now is a few minutes of work. After drywall, it's cutting and patching.
You, your agent and, if you hire one, a third-party inspector.
I spent 10 years in custom home construction before I sold homes, and I'll walk your pre-drywall with you.
This page is general information about the new construction process and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Builder contracts and inspection policies vary by builder and by community. Have a licensed Indiana attorney review any builder contract before you sign.