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Rough-in inspection checklist

A rough-in inspection, called first fix in the UK, for every service in one form: plumbing and drainage, electrical, heating and ventilation, gas, data and fire systems. Go room by room before walls and ceilings are closed, with eight checks per room and photos of every wall so the routes can be found later. A test log holds each drainage, pressure, gas or electrical test with the required test, the reading and who did it. The form counts what needs fixing and any failed test before cover-up.

For builders, site managers, clerks of works and MEP contractors checking services before drywall, plasterboard or ceilings go up.

Written for any country: page 1 sets the building control regime, and the form shows the US code or England building control note to match.

Room by room: positions, supports, falls, protection plates, fire-rated penetrations, labels, structure and access
Trades ticked per room: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas, data, fire
Photos of every wall and ceiling before cover-up
A test log with the required test, reading, outcome and certificate reference

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What is a rough-in inspection?

A rough-in inspection is useful when every room is photographed wall by wall before it is closed, and every test is logged with what the specification asked for, the reading and who did it. That record is what lets the next trade fix safely, and lets anyone find a pipe or cable years later without opening the wrong wall.

Last updated 27 October 2026. Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 27 October 2026 against International Residential Code section R109, types of inspections (as reproduced by Winnebago County, Illinois, building department) and Building Regulations 2010, regulation 16, notices in relation to building work.

How to do a rough-in inspection

Do it when the pipes, cables and ducts are run and fixed, before anything is covered and before fixtures go in.

Set up
Enter the job, the services drawings and revisions, and the building control regime.
Go room by room
Add each room or area, tick the trades in it and work through the eight checks. Give a reason for anything not right.
Photograph every wall
Take each wall and ceiling end to end so pipes and cables can be found later for fixings and repairs.
Log the tests
Add each test the specification or code asks for: what was tested, the required test, the reading, pass or fail, who did it and the certificate reference. A failed test is counted.
Actions and sign-off
Give each fix a priority, owner and date, choose the decision and sign. Do not close up until the cover-up actions are done.

What makes a rough-in inspection useful

The test log: required test, reading and outcome

Kitchenette cold and hot supplies, pressure test as specification section P2: pressure dropped, weeping joint at the isolating valve, outcome fail. Action to remake the joint and test again before the partition is boarded.

Fictional example. Record the actual evidence and approved arrangements for your job.

A common recording mistake

Boarding a wall before a failed or missing test is repeated, and keeping no photo of where the services run.

What happens next

Repeat any failed test, seal open penetrations, then hand over to the boarders with the pre-drywall inspection.

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Every question in the rough-in inspection template

A rough-in (first fix) inspection of plumbing, drainage, electrical, HVAC, gas and data before walls and ceilings are closed: positions, supports, falls, protection plates, fire-rated penetrations, room by room photos of every wall, and a test log with readings, with actions and sign-off. 4 sections and 68 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

ProjectShort answer
Filled in from the project in SiteSurvey.
Fills in from the project name
Site addressShort answer
Fills in from the site address, from the space or the project
Client or ownerShort answer
Fills in from the project's customer
Location (GPS)Short answer
Plot, unit or buildingShort answer
Inspection date*Date
Inspected by*Short answer
Inspecting asChoose one
- Site manager or superintendent
- Contractor quality check
- Clerk of works or owner's representative
- Engineer or architect
- Third-party inspector
- Other
Contractor doing the workShort answer
Building control regimeChoose one
Sets which notes you see. Local amendments and the building control body decide what is inspected and when.
- US: International Residential Code, as adopted locally
- US: other local code
- England: Building Regulations 2010
- Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
- Other country
Permit or building control referenceShort answer
Type of inspectionChoose one
- Before the building control inspection
- With the building control inspector
- Re-inspection after defects were fixed
- Quality audit
Drawings and revisions inspected againstShort answer
For example S-101 rev C, A-201 rev B.
Weather on siteAnswer
CheckThis is a site inspection record for plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical rough-in (first fix). It is not building control approval, an engineer's sign-off or a test certificate. Sizes, spacings, fixings and test values come from the drawings, the specification and the code your building department enforces.

Rough-in by room

GuidanceUS. Under the International Residential Code (section R109.1.2, as adopted locally), the rough inspection of plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systems is made before anything is covered or concealed, before fixtures or appliances are set, and before the framing inspection.
Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
GuidanceEngland. Building control can require you to tell them when set stages are reached and can set a period during which the work must not be covered up (Building Regulations 2010, regulation 16(3)). Check the stages in your notice before covering anything.
Shown when “Building control regime” is “England: Building Regulations 2010”
Rooms and areas
Repeat for each area. Each one asks:
- Room or area*Short answer
- Trades in this areaTick all that apply
  - Plumbing and drainage
  - Electrical
  - Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
  - Gas
  - Data and low voltage
  - Fire alarm or sprinklers
- Runs, positions and heights to the drawingsChoose one
  Outlets, boxes, valves, grilles at the marked positions.
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Pipes, cables and ducts supported and fixed at the specified spacingChoose one
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Drainage falls and venting as designedChoose one
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Protection where services pass through or near framing (plates, sleeves, grommets)Choose one
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Penetrations through fire-rated or airtight layers sealed or marked for sealingChoose one
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Cable types and sizes as specified, labelled at the boardChoose one
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- No damage to structure from notches or holes beyond allowed limitsChoose one
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Isolation and access points where they will be reachable after cover-upChoose one
  - Acceptable
  - Action needed
  - Not checked
  - Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
  Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- r_issuesWorked out by the form
- r_not_checkedWorked out by the form
- Photos of every wall and ceiling before cover-upPhotos
  Take each wall end to end so the routes can be found later.
Items needing actionWorked out by the form
Not checkedWorked out by the form

Tests

GuidanceRecord the test the specification or code asks for, the reading and who did it. Electrical, gas and pressure work may need a separate certificate from the competent person or registered installer.
Tests
Repeat for each test. Each one asks:
- Test*Choose one
  - Drainage (water or air test)
  - Water supply pressure test
  - Gas tightness test
  - Ductwork leakage
  - Electrical continuity or insulation resistance
  - Sprinkler pressure test
  - Other
- Section or system testedShort answer
- Required test (from the specification or code)Short answer
  For example the pressure and how long it is held.
- Reading or resultShort answer
- Outcome*Choose one
  - Pass
  - Fail
  - Not done
- Tested byShort answer
- Certificate or record referenceShort answer
- Photo of the gauge or meterPhotos
- t_failWorked out by the form
- t_not_doneWorked out by the form
Tests failedWorked out by the form
Tests not doneWorked out by the form
WarningA test failed. Fix it and test again before anything is covered.
Shown only when the answers above make it relevant

Result, actions and sign-off

Items needing actionWorked out by the form
ResultWorked out by the form
WarningDo not cover up or move on to the next stage until the actions marked "Urgent" or "Before cover-up" are done and re-inspected.
Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
Actions
Repeat for each action. Each one asks:
- Action*Notes
- PriorityChoose one
  - Urgent: stop work
  - Before cover-up
  - Before the next stage
  - Before handover
- Who will do it*Short answer
- Due byDate
- Status*Choose one
  - Open
  - In progress
  - Done, re-inspected
- Photo when donePhotos
  Shown when “Status” is “Done, re-inspected”
Actions still openWorked out by the form
Decision*Choose one
- Ready to proceed
- Proceed once the listed actions are done
- Not ready: re-inspect
Re-inspection dateDate
Shown when “Decision” is “Not ready: re-inspect”
Building control or code inspection booked?Yes or No
Date booked forDate
Shown when “Building control or code inspection booked?” is Yes
Building control or code inspection result, if knownShort answer
Summary for the clientNotes
Inspector nameShort answer
Inspector signature*Signature
Contractor representativeShort answer
Contractor signatureSignature
CheckSigning records what was seen on the day. It does not certify compliance or replace the building control inspection.

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A completed rough-in 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.

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Rough-in inspection FAQs

When is the rough-in inspection done?

Under the International Residential Code (section R109.1.2, as adopted locally), the rough inspection of plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systems is made before anything is covered or concealed, before fixtures or appliances are set or installed, and before the framing inspection. Your building department's edition and amendments decide the detail.

Source: International Residential Code section R109, types of inspections (as reproduced by Winnebago County, Illinois, building department).

Is rough-in the same as first fix?

Yes, broadly. Rough-in is the US term and first fix the UK one: the pipes, cables, back boxes and ducts are run and fixed before the walls and ceilings are boarded. Second fix, or trim-out, is fitting the sockets, switches, fittings and appliances afterwards.

Which tests go in the test log?

The ones your specification or the code asks for, such as a drainage air or water test, a water supply pressure test, a gas tightness test, ductwork leakage or electrical continuity and insulation resistance. Enter the required test as written, the reading and the outcome. The form does not set test pressures or durations of its own. Gas and electrical work may also need a certificate from the registered installer; record its reference.

Why photograph every wall before it is covered?

Once the boards go on, nobody can see where the pipes and cables run. A dated photo of each wall end to end lets the next trade fix shelves and cabinets safely and lets a repair start in the right place. The photos are stamped and kept with the room in the form.

Can building control stop me covering up work in England?

Yes. After you give notice that work is starting, the building control body can require you to tell it when set stages are reached, and can set a period during which that work must not be covered up (Building Regulations 2010, regulation 16(3)). It may only name a stage it intends to inspect. Check the stages in the notice you were given before you cover anything, and keep the dated photos in the form as your record.

Source: Building Regulations 2010, regulation 16, notices in relation to building work.

Does this form replace the building inspector?

No. It is your own record of the rough-in before cover-up: what was checked, what was found, the photos and who fixed what. The building department or building control body still makes its own inspection and decides whether the work passes. Use the form before they come, so the visit is a formality, and record their result on the last page.

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