Why Pay for a Pre-Drywall Inspection?
Whether you’re building a new home or considering a home, getting a pre-drywall inspection is important. This inspection helps ensure your home is built to its proper specifications.
What Is a Pre-Drywall Inspection?
A pre-drywall inspection is an inspection that a professional does before installing the drywall. The inspection can happen after the insulation is installed, but it may block some areas the same way drywall does. Therefore, you should have an inspection before installing the insulation so the inspector can see everything.
How Much Is a Pre-Drywall Inspection?
The cost depends on the inspector you hire, but you should expect it to cost you about a couple of hundred dollars.
What Is Inspected During a Pre-Drywall Inspection?
During a pre-drywall inspection, the following things will be inspected:
- Foundation
- Framing
- Floors
- Walls
- Electrical System
- Plumbing
- Roof
- HVAC
- Waterproofing
- Wall studs
- Crawlspace
An inspector can look at anything in your house that you ask them to, which is important to ensure everything has met the proper specifications before the drywall goes up. To find out more about what the inspector will inspect, check out this article from the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Five Benefits of a Pre-Drywall Inspection
- Addresses any issues: Getting a pre-drywall inspection can fix any issues before the drywall is installed. Once the drywall is installed, it’s harder to fix any internal issues behind the drywall. Plus having to remove the drywall after installation would be costly.
- Check any modifications: If you choose to add something extra to your home, such as outlets or recessed lighting, your inspector can ensure that these extra items are there before the drywall goes up because some things are easier to add before drywall.
- Visualization: Typically, your inspector will take pictures while they are doing the inspection. But you can take pictures during the inspection to know where plumbing, gas, and electrical lines are. You can also take pictures of wall studs to better visualize where decorations can go.
- Revealing workmanship: With a pre-drywall inspection, you can check out the work of the electrical team, plumber, roofers, and HVAC team. This allows the inspector to see that they used the proper materials and installed them within the code.
- 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.
Getting a pre-drywall inspection is not only a great investment in your home but a great investment in your and your family’s safety. If you need more building advice, check out Homes.com’s “How to Build” section to learn more!
