For new builds and renovations

Do it before the walls close.

Some upgrades cost a little before drywall and a lot after. Pre-Drywall ranks them for your house, with high planning ranges, then turns your picks into a brief you can hand your builder.

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  1. Describe the projectNew build or renovation, size, floors, baths.
  2. See what ranksUpgrades scored by how much people regret skipping them.
  3. Build the briefCopy, link, or print a checklist for your builder.
DiscoverPhoto guide

Not on the list, but worth doing

Hire your own pre-drywall inspection

Bring in an independent inspector who works for you, not your builder. Have them come after the wiring, plumbing and HVAC are in and before insulation goes up. They can catch problems that the regular inspections miss, while everything is still easy to see and fix.

Typical cost: $100 to $600, about $300 on average, and about $280 in Ohio (Angi). Owners on r/Homebuilding also bring this up. Costs vary by home size and area; confirm with the inspector.

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