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Drywall inspection checklist
A drywall (plasterboard) inspection for walls and ceilings that are hung and finished, filled in on a phone before the decorators start. Work room by room: board types against the specification, screw spacing against the specified spacing, the finish level, beads and trims, board in wet areas, fire-rated walls and their penetrations, access panels and cut-outs. Record each screw pop, ridged joint, crack or damaged corner with its location, length and photos, and mark whether each room is ready for decoration. For the checks behind the boards before they go up, use the pre-drywall inspection checklist.
For drywall and drylining contractors, site managers, finishing foremen, clerks of works and owner's representatives checking boarding and taping before decoration or handover.
One form for the US and the UK: drywall or plasterboard, joint compound or jointing compound, taped and finished or taped and jointed, with a skim finish where specified. The notes cite a US federal guide specification and the US residential code, and Approved Document B for England.
- Room by room: board types, fixings, finish level, beads, wet-area board, access panels and cut-outs
- Specified screw spacing entered and the largest spacing found, flagged if wider
- Fire-rated walls and ceilings: tested system, penetrations sealed, identification where required
- Each defect (pops, ridging, cracks, damaged board or bead) with location, length and photos
- Ready for decoration per room, actions with owners and dates, and signatures
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What is checked in a drywall inspection?
A drywall inspection is useful when it is done under a light held along the surface, room by room, against the board types, finish and fixing spacing in the specification, with every defect given a reference and a photo before paint hides it. Fire-rated walls need their penetrations checked and recorded at the same visit.
Last updated . Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 27 October 2026 against Unified Facilities Guide Specifications, UFGS 09 29 00 Gypsum Board (USACE, NAVFAC, AFCEC), International Residential Code (2003) section R109, inspections, as reproduced by Winnebago County, Illinois, building department and Approved Document B (fire safety), Volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020, 2022, 2025 and 2026 amendments, section 9.
How to inspect finished drywall
Do it when the joints are finished and dry, before the first coat of paint. Take a work light.
Set up the inspection
Enter the contractor and the specification and drawings that set the board types, finish levels and fire-rated walls. Record any inspection of rated walls made before taping.
Light the surfaces
Hold a work light close to the wall or ceiling so it shines along the surface. Ridges, pops and edges that are invisible in flat light show up as shadows.
Check each room
Add each room. Tick the boards specified, enter the finish and screw spacing from the specification next to what you find, and work through the checks, saying what needs doing for anything not right.
Record each defect
Add each pop, ridged joint, crack or damaged corner with a reference, where it is, how many or how long, and photos. Pencil the same reference on the wall.
Fire-rated walls
Check the board layers against the rated wall type, every penetration sealed with a tested system and any access panels. Record each seal on the fire stopping record.
Decide and sign
Mark each room ready for decoration or not, list the actions with owners and dates, and sign with the drywall contractor.
What makes a drywall inspection useful
Defects in this room, one item each with reference, location, length and photos
Flat 2, bedroom 1. D1: six screw pops along the ceiling joist line 900 mm from the window wall, screws found at 300 mm where 230 mm is specified. D2: ridged vertical joint on the east wall, 1.2 m from the door, full height, seen under a work light. Not ready for decoration; Coastline Drylining to refix and refinish by 22 Oct.
Fictional example. Record the actual evidence and approved arrangements for your job.
A common recording mistake
Checking under the ceiling lights only, so ridges and pops show up after the first coat of paint and the decorator and drylining contractor argue about who caused them.
What happens next
Re-check the rooms marked not ready once the actions are done, and keep the fire-rated wall photos with the fire stopping record for handover.
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Every question in the drywall inspection template
A drywall (plasterboard) inspection after boarding and finishing, before decoration: room by room, board types as specified, screw spacing against the specified spacing, finish level, beads and trims, wet-area board, fire-rated walls with penetrations sealed and identification, access panels, each defect (pops, ridging, cracks, damage) with location, size and photos, ready for decoration, actions and sign-off. 3 sections and 82 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.
Make it your own: every question is editable
This is a starting point, not a fixed form. Once it is in your SiteSurvey account you can reword any question, add or remove questions, sections and answer options, and add your own logo, so it fits the way your team works and the jobs you do.
Details you only enter once
Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.
- Project: the project name
- Site address: the site address, from the space or the project
- Client or owner: the project's customer
Inspection details
Fill in before you walk the rooms.
- ProjectShort answer
Filled in from the project in SiteSurvey.
Fills in from the project name - Site addressShort answerFills in from the site address, from the space or the project
- Client or ownerShort answerFills in from the project's customer
- Location (GPS)Short answer
- Inspection date*Date
- Inspected by*Short answer
- Drywall or drylining contractorShort answer
- Specification and drawings inspected againstShort answer
Board types, finish levels, wall types and fire-rated walls, for example spec 09 29 00 and partition layout A-120 rev B.
- StageChoose one
- Finished, before decoration
- Boards fixed, before taping (fire-rated walls)
- Re-inspection after repairs
- Other
- Checked with a light held along the surface (raking light)?Yes or No
- Inspection of fire-rated walls before taping, where requiredChoose one
For example a building department inspection of rated wallboard before the joints are taped.
- Done and passed
- Done: items raised
- Not required on this job
- Not known
- Reference or dateShort answerShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- GuidanceUS: where fire-resistance-rated construction is required between dwelling units or because of the location on the property, the International Residential Code (section R109.1.5.1 in the 2003 edition) requires an inspection after the wallboard is in place but before the joints and fasteners are taped and finished. Check the edition your building department uses.
- CheckThis is a site record of the finished boards before decoration. It does not certify fire resistance, sound insulation or compliance. Screw spacings, finish levels and fire-rated systems come from the specification, the board maker and the drawings, and are entered by the inspector.
- Walk Cam: room walk-roundWalk Cam video with voice-to-text
Optional. Film a guided walk-round on the SiteSurvey app.
- Weather on siteAnswer
Room by room
- GuidanceAdd each room. Enter what the specification asks for next to what you found. Record each defect once, as an item with its location and photos; the checks are for whole-room matters.
- GuidanceFinish levels: on jobs that use UFGS 09 29 00, boards are taped and finished to ASTM C840, GA-214 and GA-216, and GA-214 Level 5 (a thin skim coat of joint compound over the whole surface after the two-coat joint and fastener treatment is dry) is called for where gloss, semigloss or eggshell paint, or strong up or down lighting, is specified. Use the level in your own specification.
- GuidanceFire-rated walls and ceilings. England: Approved Document B, Volume 1 (paragraphs 9.1 and 9.24) says every joint, imperfect fit and opening for services through a fire-separating element should be sealed with fire-stopping, and openings for pipes, ducts, conduits or cables should be as few as possible, as small as practicable and fire-stopped. US: UFGS 09 29 00 (where used) asks for fasteners to the tested design and penetrations sealed tight to tested systems. Record each seal on the Fire Stopping Installation Record.
- RoomsRepeat for each room. Each one asks:
- Room or area*Short answer
For example Flat 2, bedroom 1, or Corridor L1.
- Level or unitShort answer
- Boards specified in this roomTick all that apply
- Standard
- Fire-rated
- Moisture-resistant
- Impact or abuse-resistant
- Acoustic
- Tile backer or cement board
- Other
- Fire-rated system or wall typeShort answer
The design or system number from the drawings, for example wall type W3.
Shown only when the answers above make it relevant - Finish specifiedShort answer
US: the level, for example Level 4. UK: for example taped and jointed, or 3 mm skim.
- Finish foundChoose one
- Taped and finished joints (tape and fill)
- Skim coat over the whole surface
- Not finished yet
- Other
- Specified maximum screw spacingNumber
From the specification, board maker or fire-rated system. mm or inches.
- Largest spacing foundNumber
Measured between the filled screw heads along a stud or joist.
- Spacing against the specificationWorked out by the form
- r_fix_wideWorked out by the form
- Board types as specified for this roomChoose one
Check the printed marks on the board backs or edges, offcuts and delivery notes against the specification.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Fixings as specified: screw type and edge distance, heads set just below the face without breaking the paperChoose one
Screw spacing is compared separately above.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Finished to the specified level throughout (apart from the defects listed below)Choose one
US: the GA-214 level the specification names. UK: taped and jointed, or skimmed.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Beads, stop ends, trims and shadow gaps fitted where specifiedChoose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Moisture-resistant or tile backer board in wet areas, edges and cut-outs treated as specifiedChoose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Fire-rated walls and ceilings: board layers, joints and fixings as the tested systemChoose one
The UL design, GA file or manufacturer system named on the drawings. Mark Not applicable if none.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Penetrations through fire-rated walls and ceilings sealed with a tested systemChoose one
Record each seal on the fire stopping record. Mark Not applicable if none.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Fire-rated walls identified (marked or labelled) where the drawings or local rules requireChoose one
Mark Not applicable if none.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Access panels where drawn, fire-rated where in a rated wall or ceiling, open and closeChoose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Cut-outs for boxes, pipes and fittings neat, gaps filled or sealedChoose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Photos of the roomPhotos
Each wall and the ceiling, so the finish is on record before decoration.
- Defects in this roomRepeat for each defect. Each one asks:
- Reference*Short answer
For example D1. Write the same mark on the wall in pencil if you can.
- Defect*Choose one
- Screw or nail pop
- Ridging or visible joint
- Crack
- Damaged board (dent, torn paper, hole)
- Damaged or exposed corner bead or trim
- Poor finish (tool marks, sanding scratches, rough patch)
- Other
- OnChoose one
- Wall
- Ceiling
- Bulkhead or soffit
- Corner or angle
- Around an opening
- LocationShort answer
Which wall or ceiling, height and distance from a corner, for example north wall, 1.2 m up, 600 mm from the door.
- How manyNumberShown when “Defect” is “Screw or nail pop”
- LengthNumber
Tape, or a photo measure with a known size in the same plane (an estimate). mm or inches.
- PhotosPhotos
Hold a light along the surface for ridging and pops.
- Action*Choose one
- Make good before decoration
- Refer to the designer or fire engineer
- No action
- Who will fix itShort answerShown when “Action” is “Make good before decoration”
- Defects recordedWorked out by the form
- Defects needing actionWorked out by the form
- r_popsWorked out by the form
- This room: items needing actionWorked out by the form
- Not checkedWorked out by the form
- Ready for decoration?*Yes or No
- CheckThe room has items needing action. Fix and re-check them before decoration.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Rooms inspectedWorked out by the form
- Ready for decorationWorked out by the form
- Defects recordedWorked out by the form
- Screw or nail pops countedWorked out by the form
- Room items needing actionWorked out by the form
- Not checkedWorked out by the form
Result, actions and sign-off
- Items needing actionWorked out by the form
- ResultWorked out by the form
- ActionsRepeat for each action. Each one asks:
- Action*Notes
- PriorityChoose one
- Urgent: fire safety
- Before decoration
- Before handover
- Who will do it*Short answer
- Due byDate
- Status*Choose one
- Open
- In progress
- Done, checked
- Photo when donePhotosShown when “Status” is “Done, checked”
- Actions still openWorked out by the form
- Decision*Choose one
- Ready for decoration
- Ready once the listed actions are done
- Not ready: re-inspect
- Next check or re-inspection dateDate
- Summary for the clientNotes
- Inspector nameShort answer
- Inspector signature*Signature
- Drywall contractor nameShort answer
- Drywall contractor signatureSignature
See it filled in
A completed drywall inspection report, made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit: every answer, the photos, the guidance that applied and the sign-off, ready to send as a PDF.
Drywall inspection FAQs
Is this the same as a pre-drywall inspection?
No. A pre-drywall (pre-plaster) inspection happens before the boards go up: insulation, vapour control, fire stopping, backing and services behind the wall. This form is for after the boards are hung and finished, before decoration. Use the pre-drywall inspection checklist first, then this one.
What finish level should the drywall be?
The level your specification names. On jobs that use the federal guide specification UFGS 09 29 00, boards are taped and finished to ASTM C840, GA-214 and GA-216, and Level 5 (a thin skim coat of joint compound over the whole surface after the two-coat joint and fastener treatment is dry) is called for where gloss, semigloss or eggshell paint, or strong up or down lighting, is specified. In the UK, enter the finish the specification gives, for example taped and jointed, or skimmed. The form takes it room by room.
Source: Unified Facilities Guide Specifications, UFGS 09 29 00 Gypsum Board (USACE, NAVFAC, AFCEC).
Does a fire-rated wall need inspecting before it is taped?
It can. In the US, where fire-resistance-rated construction is required between dwelling units or because of the location on the property, the International Residential Code (section R109.1.5.1 in the 2003 edition) requires an inspection after the wallboard is in place but before the joints and fasteners are taped and finished. Check the edition and amendments your building department uses. The form records whether that inspection was done and its reference.
What about pipes and cables through a fire-rated wall?
They must be sealed so the wall keeps its fire resistance. In England, Approved Document B Volume 1 (paragraphs 9.1 and 9.24) says every joint, imperfect fit and opening for services through a fire-separating element should be fire-stopped, and openings should be as few as possible and as small as practicable. UFGS 09 29 00 asks for penetrations through rated partitions and ceilings to be sealed tight to tested systems. Record each seal on the fire stopping installation record.
Sources: Approved Document B (fire safety), Volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020, 2022, 2025 and 2026 amendments, section 9 and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications, UFGS 09 29 00 Gypsum Board (USACE, NAVFAC, AFCEC).
What screw spacing should drywall have?
Whatever the specification, the board maker or the fire-rated system sets: it varies with board type, framing, wall or ceiling and fire rating, so the form does not state one. UFGS 09 29 00, for example, says that for fire-rated construction the types and spacing of fasteners follow the UL design or GA file number shown on the drawings. Enter the specified spacing and the largest you find, and the form flags it if it is wider.
Source: Unified Facilities Guide Specifications, UFGS 09 29 00 Gypsum Board (USACE, NAVFAC, AFCEC).
Does the completed form approve the work?
No. It is a record of what was seen, measured and photographed in each room before decoration, with the actions and who signed. It does not certify fire resistance, sound insulation or compliance with building regulations; the building inspector or building control body and the specification decide those.
Related
Related templates
Templates that go with the drywall inspection form
A pre-drywall (pre-plaster) inspection: insulation, vapour control, fire stopping, backing for fixtures, service protection and outlet positions checked room by room, with insulation thickness against the specification and a photo record of every wall and ceiling before it is closed up.
A fire stopping installation record: certification scheme, drawings, each penetration seal with its label, element, fire rating, services, product and tested detail, before and after photos, and sign-off.
A commercial construction punch list near substantial completion: area by area, each item with its trade and subcontractor, room or GPS location, photo, priority, due date and status (open, ready for back-check, closed), the back-check and a back-charge flag, with counts per trade and overall and two signatures.
Snag by snag record with room, element, photo and priority, checks with no snag, totals and re-inspection.
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