Building a home is an exciting journey, and one of the most important milestones in the process is the pre-drywall walkthrough. This step occurs during the construction process, after the client has been pre-qualified for a home loan, then purchased the home, and made selections for the home. It allows homeowners to see the inner workings of their home before the walls are closed up. It’s a key opportunity to ensure everything is in place and to gain a deeper understanding of the construction process.
What is a Pre-Drywall Walkthrough?
The pre-drywall walkthrough takes place after the framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and insulation rough-ins are complete but before the drywall is installed. At this stage, the home’s skeleton is visible, making it the perfect time to inspect essential systems and ensure that everything aligns with the agreed-upon plans. The Prodigy team takes through the process with your homes specific designs, ensuring that any edits are reflected directly, and if upgrades are included, they are quoted immediately after and send to the client.
Why is This Walkthrough Important?
This is your chance to:
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Verify the layout – Ensure that walls, doors, and windows are positioned correctly.
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Check for upgrades and customizations – If you opted for specific electrical placements, additional outlets, or other personalized features, this is the time to confirm they are correctly installed.
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Decide the layout of key spaces – This is when you finalize the placement of bedrooms, entertainment centers, kitchen islands, and more. Since outlets are typically placed in entertainment centers for TVs, across from beds for convenience, and in offices for printers, chargers, and other electronics, this walkthrough ensures that all your power needs are met. Additionally, this is the perfect time to add Ethernet cables to ensure quick and reliable electronic functionality throughout the home. Many homeowners also choose to discuss Christmas light packages, which are built and wired directly into the soffits of the home. This feature eliminates the need to put up and take down lights every year, providing a convenient and polished holiday lighting solution.
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Review lighting layouts – Ensuring proper lighting placement is key to both functionality and aesthetics. During the walkthrough, you’ll confirm the exact positioning of can lighting, chandeliers, and built-in lighting to match your vision. Proper lighting placement enhances ambiance and ensures adequate illumination for workspaces, gathering areas, and decorative focal points.
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Review plumbing and electrical systems – Identify where key plumbing and electrical lines run so you’ll know their locations for future reference.
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Ask questions – Gain insights from your builder about the behind-the-scenes elements of your home.
What to Look For During the Walkthrough
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Outlet and switch placements – Walk through each room and visualize how you’ll use the space. Are outlets where you expect them to be?
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Structured wiring – If you’ve added smart home wiring, security systems, or other connectivity upgrades, confirm their locations.
Questions to Ask Your Builder
Your builder is there to guide you through the process, so don’t hesitate to ask questions such as:
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Are all requested electrical and plumbing upgrades in place?
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How does the HVAC system ensure proper airflow?
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What materials are used in insulation, and how do they impact energy efficiency?
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What’s the next step after this walkthrough?
- What if I want to add more outlets, or the Christmas Light Package?
What Happens Next?
Once the pre-drywall walkthrough is complete and any necessary adjustments are made, drywall installation will begin. This is when your home truly starts to take shape. After drywall, the next phases include flooring, cabinetry, trim work, painting, and final finishes leading up to your new home’s completion. You can expect to move into your home about 3-4 months after the pre-drywall walkthrough.
Final Thoughts
The pre-drywall walkthrough is a crucial step in the home-building process. It ensures that your home is being built according to your specifications and provides an opportunity to make any necessary changes before it’s too late. Take your time, ask plenty of questions, and enjoy seeing the progress of your dream home!
If you have any questions about the home-building process or would like to explore building with Prodigy Homes, feel free to contact us. We’re here to make your dream home a reality!
