Rod Inspects · TREC License #6291 PI
Pre-Drywall Inspection in San Antonio, TX
The last chance to see inside the walls of your new home. Book it before the insulation and drywall go in.
A pre-drywall inspection is an independent inspection of a new home during construction, after the framing, rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC are in but before insulation and drywall cover them. Rod Inspects performs pre-drywall inspections for buyers across San Antonio, Schertz, Cibolo, New Braunfels and San Marcos.
Why Get a Pre-Drywall Inspection on a New Home?
Because once the drywall goes up, most of what holds your house together disappears from view for good. The framing, the metal connectors, the pipes and the wiring are all still out in the open for a short window during construction. After that, the only way to see them is to cut into a finished wall.
A new home is built by many different trades working on a tight schedule, often one crew right behind the next. An item missed by one crew can be covered by the next before anyone notices. A pre-drywall inspection gives you a look while it is still easy for the builder to fix.
City or county inspections check code at set points, and your builder's site staff work for the builder. A Rod Inspects inspector works for one person: you, the buyer.
When Should a Pre-Drywall Inspection Be Scheduled?
The right time is after the framing, roof decking, rough plumbing, rough electrical and HVAC ductwork are in, and before insulation goes into the walls. In many builds that window is short, so plan ahead.
- Ask your builder for the expected date the home will be ready for insulation, and when the city's framing inspection is set.
- Check your purchase agreement for any rules about third-party inspector access and notice.
- Call us early with your builder's timeline so the inspection lands inside that window.
Many builders allow an independent inspector with notice. If your builder's schedule changes, let us know and we will work with the new date.
What Does a Pre-Drywall Inspection Look At?
A pre-drywall inspection typically looks at the parts of the house that will be hidden once the walls are closed, where they are visible and accessible at the time of the visit:
- Framing: walls, headers, beams and floor or ceiling framing, including damaged, cut or notched members
- Connectors and hangers: metal straps, joist hangers and other hardware that ties the frame together
- Sheathing: exterior wall and roof sheathing and how it is fastened
- Fire blocking: where it is visible at the time of the inspection
- Rough plumbing: visible supply and drain lines, supports and protection where pipes pass through framing
- Rough electrical: visible wiring, boxes and how cables are run and protected through the frame
- HVAC rough-in: ductwork, connections and supports
- Window and door flashing and weather barrier: the wrap and flashing details that keep water out of the wall
- Roof framing and decking from inside: rafters or trusses, bracing and the underside of the roof deck
You get a written report with photos that you can share with your builder, so the items are on record before the walls close.
Why Does It Matter to Catch Problems Before Drywall?
Items found at the framing stage are usually simpler and faster for a builder to correct while the walls are open. The same item found after closing can mean opening a finished wall, or it may never be found at all.
A pre-drywall inspection also gives you a clear record of how the house was built inside the walls. Keep the report with your closing papers. It is useful later if a question ever comes up about something behind the drywall.
What Should You Do After a Pre-Drywall Inspection?
Read the report, call us with any questions, and send the report to your builder. Ask the builder how and when each item will be addressed before insulation goes in. Your agent may also want a copy for your file.
We walk you through every item so you understand what it is and why it matters before you take your list to your builder.
What Other Inspections Should a New Home Get?
The pre-drywall inspection is one of two stages Rod Inspects offers for new construction. Together with the builder's warranty inspection after you move in, they cover your new home from the framing to the end of its first year:
- Pre-drywall: before insulation and drywall, while you can still see inside the walls.
- Final (pre-closing): a full inspection of the finished home before your final walkthrough. In a finished home, infrared thermal technology identifies surface temperature patterns that may indicate insulation gaps and air leaks.
- Builder's warranty (11-month): after you move in, before your builder's first-year warranty runs out. See the builder's warranty inspection.
Read more about both construction stages on our new construction inspection page.
Why Do San Antonio New Home Buyers Choose Rod Inspects for Pre-Drywall?
- Serving San Antonio since 2002, with more than 13,000 inspections
- Three inspectors licensed through TREC: Rod Stewardson (#6291 PI), Derek Saari (#21836 PI) and Tyler Stewardson (#26007 PI) (meet the team)
- 300+ five-star reviews from clients (read them)
- U.S. Navy veteran-owned
If you are building in Schertz, Cibolo, New Braunfels, San Marcos or along San Antonio's edges, Rod Inspects inspects homes in these communities and works for you, not the builder.
“100% recommend. We were clueless first-time buyers. Our inspection was detailed, and they dedicated as much time as we needed to explain everything.”
The McGreevys New Construction
Who Is Rod Inspects?
Founded in 2002, Rod Inspects is a U.S. Navy veteran-owned San Antonio, Texas home inspection company led by Rod Stewardson. Its three inspectors, Rod Stewardson, Derek Saari and Tyler Stewardson, are licensed through TREC and perform pre-drywall, final new construction and builder's warranty inspections across San Antonio, New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, McQueeney, Hollywood Park and Alamo Heights.
What Do New Home Buyers Ask About Pre-Drywall Inspections?
What is a pre-drywall inspection?
A pre-drywall inspection is an independent inspection of a new home during construction, after the framing, rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC are in but before insulation and drywall cover them. It is the last chance to see inside the walls without opening them.
When should I schedule a pre-drywall inspection?
Schedule a pre-drywall inspection after the framing, roof decking and rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC are in, and before insulation goes into the walls. Ask your builder for the expected insulation date and book early, because the window is often short.
Is a pre-drywall inspection worth it if the city already inspects the house?
Yes. City or county inspections check code at set points, and the builder's staff work for the builder. An independent pre-drywall inspection works for the buyer and gives you a written report on items that will be hidden once the drywall goes up.
What does a pre-drywall inspection typically look at?
A pre-drywall inspection typically looks at visible framing, metal connectors and hangers, wall and roof sheathing, fire blocking where visible, rough plumbing, rough electrical, HVAC ductwork, window and door flashing, the weather barrier, and roof framing and decking from inside.
Will my builder allow a pre-drywall inspection?
Many builders allow an independent inspector with notice. Check your purchase agreement for any rules about inspector access, and share your builder's construction schedule when you book so the inspection happens before insulation goes in.
Do I still need a final inspection after a pre-drywall inspection?
Yes. A pre-drywall inspection looks inside the open walls, and a final inspection looks at the finished home before closing. Rod Inspects offers both stages for new construction, plus a builder's warranty (11-month) inspection before the first-year warranty ends.
Is Your New Home Framed Yet?
Book before the insulation goes in. Schedule online or call us with your builder's timeline.