Framing Inspection: Pass on First Try

The framing inspection is where structural integrity is verified.

This is your chance to prove the skeleton of your house is built to code—and it's one of the most detailed inspections you'll face.

Here's everything you need to pass on the first attempt.

⚠️Critical Timing

All framing must be complete before calling for inspection, but no interior wall covering can be installed. Once you drywall, the inspector can't verify the framing. This is a common mistake that forces you to tear out drywall.

When to Schedule

Timing: After all framing is complete but BEFORE any wall covering (drywall, sheathing on interior)

Critical windows:

Notice required: 24-48 hours typically, up to 72 hours in busy seasons

💡Pro Scheduling Tip

Schedule for mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday). Gives you the weekend to finish any last-minute items, and you'll get re-inspection faster if needed.

Weather consideration: Inspectors will inspect in light rain but typically won't climb wet roofs. Have a backup date ready.

What the Inspector Checks

Structural Members

Dimensional lumber:

Engineered lumber (LVL, PSL, LSL, I-joists):

Beams and headers:

Floor Framing

Joists:

Joist hangers:

Subflooring:

Cantilevers and overhangs:

Wall Framing

Studs:

Headers:

Shear walls (if required):

Wall height and plumb:

Roof Framing

Rafters (if stick-built):

Trusses (if truss roof):

Ceiling joists:

Roof sheathing:

Connections and Fastening

Critical connections:

Fastening schedule:

Hurricane ties/seismic ties (if required):

Fire and Draft Stopping

Fire blocking (IRC R302.11):

Draft stopping (IRC R302.12):

Location: These are often forgotten. Mark them clearly before inspection.

Stairs

Stair framing:

Dimensions:

Landing requirements:

Before the Inspector Arrives

48 Hours Before Framing Inspection

Self-Inspection Checklist - Walk Through First

During the Inspection

Inspector's Typical Route

  1. Checks paperwork: Permit, approved plans
  2. Foundation connections: Anchor bolts, sill plate, rim joist
  3. Floor system: Joist size/spacing, hangers, blocking, subflooring
  4. Wall framing: Stud spacing, headers, corners, fire blocking
  5. Roof framing: Rafter/truss size, connections, bracing
  6. Stairs: Measures rise/run of each step
  7. Structural details: Beam bearing, critical connections
  8. Special items: Shear walls, hold-downs (if applicable)

Timeline: Expect 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on house size and complexity.

Your role:

Top 15 Failure Points

Based on a multitude of framing inspections:

1. Missing or Improper Joist Hangers

Failure: Hangers missing nails, wrong size, or installed incorrectly

Code requirement: IRC R502.6 - All joints must be properly supported and connected

Specific issues:

How to fix: Replace incorrect hangers, fill all nail holes with proper hanger nails

Time to re-inspect: 2-4 days

Cost: $300-$800 (carpenter callback to fix hangers throughout house)

Prevention: Buy correct hangers, use only joist hanger nails, fill every hole, double-check before calling inspection

2. Headers Undersized or Improperly Supported

Failure: Header too small for span or not bearing on jack studs

Code requirement: IRC R602.7 - Headers must be sized per span tables

Specific issues:

How to fix: Install properly sized header with correct support

Time to re-inspect: 3-7 days (significant structural work)

Cost: $500-$2,000 depending on number of openings and complexity

Prevention: Calculate header sizes before framing, verify against IRC span tables, ensure jack studs under all headers

3. Missing Fire Blocking

Failure: Required fire blocking not installed in walls or concealed spaces

Code requirement: IRC R302.11 - Fire blocking required at specific locations

Where required:

How to fix: Install 2x blocking or two layers 1x material at required locations

Time to re-inspect: 1-3 days

Cost: $200-$600 (if walls still open; much more if drywall started)

Prevention: Mark fire blocking locations during layout, install as you frame, verify before calling inspection

4. Improper Stair Dimensions

Failure: Stair risers or treads outside code requirements

Code requirement: IRC R311.7.5 - Specific stair dimension requirements

Requirements:

Common issues:

How to fix: Rebuild stairs to correct dimensions

Time to re-inspect: 3-7 days

Cost: $800-$2,500 (complete stair rebuild)

Prevention: Carefully calculate rise/run before cutting stringers, verify actual floor-to-floor height including finish flooring, measure each riser/tread

5. Excessive Notching or Boring of Joists

Failure: Joists notched or drilled beyond code limits

Code requirement: IRC R502.8 - Specific limits on notching and boring

Limits:

How to fix: Sister reinforcing joist alongside damaged member, or install full sister if severely compromised

Time to re-inspect: 2-5 days

Cost: $400-$1,500 depending on number of joists and accessibility

Prevention: Route plumbing and electrical properly, know limits before cutting, never let plumber/electrician cut without supervision

6. Insufficient Bearing for Beams

Failure: Beams don't have adequate bearing surface at supports

Code requirement: IRC R502.6 - Minimum 1.5" bearing for sawn lumber, 3" for engineered beams

Specific issues:

How to fix: Add proper bearing, install correct post caps, resize posts if needed

Time to re-inspect: 3-7 days (structural modification)

Cost: $400-$1,200 per beam/post connection

Prevention: Use post caps for all beam-to-post connections, measure bearing surface, ensure minimum bearing

7. Roof Truss Modifications

Failure: Any field modification to engineered roof trusses

Code requirement: IRC R802.10.3 - Trusses shall not be altered

What I see:

How to fix: Usually requires structural engineer to design repair (expensive)

Time to re-inspect: 1-3 weeks (engineering time + repairs)

Cost: $2,000-$8,000 (engineering + reinforcement)

Prevention: NEVER cut trusses. Route all mechanicals around trusses. Get engineer involved before any modifications.

8. Missing Hurricane Ties or Seismic Clips

Failure: No hurricane ties connecting rafters/trusses to top plate

Code requirement: IRC R802.11 - Connection required per wind speed and seismic zone

Requirements vary by location:

How to fix: Install proper ties at every rafter/truss location

Time to re-inspect: 2-4 days

Cost: $300-$1,000 (ties + labor to install on all rafters)

Prevention: Know your wind/seismic requirements, buy correct ties, install on every rafter as you frame roof

9. Improper Wall Bracing

Failure: Insufficient or incorrectly installed wall bracing

Code requirement: IRC R602.10 - Braced wall panels required

Methods (depends on seismic/wind zone):

Common issues:

How to fix: Add additional bracing per code requirements

Time to re-inspect: 3-7 days

Cost: $500-$2,000 depending on amount needed

Prevention: Calculate bracing requirements before framing, follow approved plans, verify proper installation

10. Inadequate Headroom Over Stairs

Failure: Headroom less than 6'8" at any point along stairs

Code requirement: IRC R311.7.2 - Minimum 6'8" headroom measured vertically

How it happens:

How to fix: Raise obstruction, reroute ductwork, or rebuild stairs with different pitch

Time to re-inspect: 3-7 days (can be complex)

Cost: $800-$3,000 depending on what's blocking

Prevention: Calculate headroom before building stairs, verify clearance at all points along stair run

11. Rafters with Improper Bird's Mouth

Failure: Bird's mouth cut removes too much material from rafter

Code requirement: IRC R802.7.1 - Notch depth shall not exceed 1/3 rafter depth

Typical requirement:

How to fix: Sister rafters to reinforce if cut too deep, or replace rafters

Time to re-inspect: 3-7 days

Cost: $600-$2,000 (sistering or replacing rafters)

Prevention: Mark bird's mouth depth before cutting, verify against 1/3 depth rule, cut conservatively

12. No Blocking or Bridging Where Required

Failure: Missing blocking between joists or under bearing walls above

Code requirement: IRC R502.7 - Blocking required at bearing points

Where required:

How to fix: Install solid blocking at required locations

Time to re-inspect: 2-4 days

Cost: $300-$800 (accessing and installing blocking)

Prevention: Install blocking as you frame, mark locations on plans, verify before inspection

13. Subfloor Not Properly Fastened

Failure: Subfloor not glued and nailed per schedule, or improper spacing

Code requirement: IRC R503.2.1 - Fastening per approved plans and manufacturer

Requirements:

How to fix: Add additional fasteners, may require replacing sheets not glued

Time to re-inspect: 2-4 days

Cost: $400-$1,200 (labor to add fasteners)

Prevention: Glue every sheet, follow nailing schedule, use proper spacing

14. Openings Not Properly Framed

Failure: Window or door openings missing king studs, jack studs, or cripples

Code requirement: IRC R602.7 - Opening framing requirements

Proper framing:

How to fix: Add missing framing members

Time to re-inspect: 2-4 days

Cost: $200-$600 per opening

Prevention: Follow standard framing practices, verify each opening has all required members

15. Built-Up Beams Not Properly Fastened

Failure: Doubled or tripled beams not nailed together properly

Code requirement: IRC R602.7.2 - Built-up beams must be fastened together

Requirements:

How to fix: Add fasteners to meet schedule

Time to re-inspect: 1-3 days

Cost: $150-$400 (labor to add nails)

Prevention: Nail built-up beams as you assemble them, don't rely on a few nails

If You Fail

Stay Calm

Framing inspection failures are common. Most are straightforward fixes.

Get Written Details

Ask inspector for:

Common Fixes and Timeline

Common Framing Inspection Fixes
IssueFixCostTimeline
Missing fire blockingInstall blocking in walls$200-$6001-3 days
Joist hangers incompleteAdd missing nails$100-$3001-2 days
Undersized headerReplace with correct size$500-$2,0003-7 days
Missing hurricane tiesInstall all required ties$300-$1,0002-4 days
Stair dimensions wrongRebuild stairs to code$800-$2,5003-7 days
Cut or modified trussEngineer design repair$2,000-$8,0001-3 weeks

Re-Inspection Process

  1. Make all corrections noted (don't skip any)
  2. Take photos of corrections
  3. Call for re-inspection
  4. Be present for re-inspection
  5. Show inspector what was corrected

Re-inspection timing: Usually 2-4 days for scheduling

Cost of Delay

Each day framing inspection is delayed costs:

One week delay = $1,500-$3,000 in direct costs plus schedule disruption

Pass on first try by preparing thoroughly.

Special Considerations

Engineered Lumber

Special rules:

Inspector focus: They'll verify no field modifications

Shear Walls and Hold-Downs

If required (seismic/wind zones):

Get engineer involved early if you need to change anything.

Post and Beam Construction

**Different inspection focus