What is a pre-drywall inspection?

A pre-drywall inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of a new construction home's structural framing, electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC systems, air sealing, fire blocking, and weather-resistive barrier performed after rough-in work is complete but before drywall installation begins. This is your only opportunity to visually inspect and document these critical systems before they are permanently concealed behind wall and ceiling coverings. The inspection helps to verify compliance with the engineer's design drawings, the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC), 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), and manufacturer installation requirements.

When should I schedule a pre-drywall inspection?

Schedule your pre-drywall inspection after all rough-in work is complete—including framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and insulation—but before insulation and siding/masonry installation begins. Most builders provide 3-7 days notice before installing insulation. Contact your builder to request notification when rough-ins pass municipal inspection, then schedule your third-party inspection immediately. Prompt scheduling is essential as availability cannot be guaranteed.

How much does a pre-drywall inspection cost in Austin?

Most inspectors offer a visual assessment only and charge between $350 to $600. A Constructiva pre-drywall inspection is much more in-depth and costs range from about $800 to $1,200 depending on home size. Larger homes over 6,000 square feet cost more. This investment is minimal compared to the cost of opening finished walls to repair concealed defects—which can run $5,000 to $20,000 or more.

What's the difference between a municipal inspection and a third-party pre-drywall inspection?

Municipal inspections verify minimum code compliance and are performed by city inspectors with limited time per house—often 5-20 minutes. Third-party pre-drywall inspections are comprehensive evaluations lasting 2-4 hours, performed by an inspector working exclusively for you. Third-party inspections go beyond minimum code to evaluate installation quality, manufacturer specifications, plans (if available) and industry best practices. They also include detailed photo documentation and written reports you can use for builder negotiations. Municipal inspections provide no documentation to homeowners.

What's the difference between you and the builder's third-party pre-drywall inspection?

The builder's third-party inspector is hired by the builder to verify minimum code compliance for their building permit. Their report goes to the builder and maybe the municipality, but not to you. As your independent new construction inspector, I work exclusively for you with loyalty to the buyer, not the builder or their schedule. I inspect beyond minimum code identifying workmanship issues, potential defects, and items that meet code but may cause future problems. You receive the full report with complete documentation and photos for future use. I advocate for your interests if conflicts arise, with no conflicts of interest since I'm not approved, referred, or influenced by the builder.

Will the builder fix issues found in my pre-drywall inspection?

Reputable builders are usually pretty good at correcting code violations and installation deficiencies identified in pre-drywall inspections. A professional inspection report with specific code references and photo documentation makes this straightforward so that builders can direct their subcontractors to exact locations and understand exactly what needs correction. Some builders initially resist third-party inspections but most come to appreciate the quality control. If a builder refuses reasonable corrections, the documented report provides leverage and, if necessary, evidence for warranty claims or legal action.

Is a pre-drywall inspection worth it?

Pre-drywall inspection is one of the highest-value investments in new construction. For $800-$1,200, you get documentation of systems that will be hidden for the life of your home. Repairs at this stage cost the builder minutes to hours of labor. The same repairs after drywall require cutting open walls, making repairs, then patching, texturing, and repainting—often $5,000-$20,000+ depending on scope. Pre-drywall inspection also establishes documentation if problems emerge later, protecting your warranty rights and providing evidence if disputes arise.

What codes apply to new construction in Texas?

New construction in Texas follows the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) for electrical installations but the structural, plumbing, and mechanical systems follow the International Residential Code (IRC) whose adopted version will vary depending on the municipality. For example, Austin has adopted the 2024 IRC, however many surrounding towns are on the 2021. Texas also requires compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for insulation and energy efficiency. Local jurisdictions may adopt amendments.

Do you offer bilingual inspection services?

Yes. Constructiva Realty Inspections provides verbal bilingual services in English and Spanish. This includes on-site inspection communication, phone consultations, and builder discussions, however the report will be in English for legal reasons.

Curriculum Vitae - Constructiva

Casey Callais — Curriculum Vitae

Contact

▸Central Texas / Austin, TX
▸(737) 296-3060
▸constructivainspections@gmail.com
▸constructivainspections.com

Licenses & Certification IDs

TREC Inspector#23456
ICC Certifications#9663183
PTI Slab-on-Ground#02111877
EDI Level 2#TX-226
IICRC Bldg. Moisture#70263265
TDA Commercial Applicator#0880297

Professional Summary

Casey Callais is a Texas-licensed inspector and code professional specializing in new residential construction and the International Residential Code (IRC). He brings roughly two decades of hands-on construction across the United States, Central America, and abroad, paired with current code certification in the building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical disciplines. Licensed as a Texas Real Estate Inspector since 2019 and founder of Constructiva Realty Inspections, he inspects and documents new construction at every phase, from pre-pour foundation through pre-drywall, final, and warranty, and performs evaluation of construction defects and failures. Every report is grounded in the governing standards: the IRC, NEC, and IECC, PTI foundation standards, and manufacturers' installation instructions, and is prepared for homeowners, builders, engineers, and attorneys. Casey is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Areas of Expertise

New residential construction, all phases

Building code compliance: IRC, NEC, IECC, local amendments

Post-tensioned slab-on-ground foundations

Building envelope, moisture intrusion, and stucco

Defect and failure analysis (moisture, roofing, framing)

Thermal imaging diagnostics

Manufacturer installation compliance

Builder warranty standards and tolerances

Wildland-urban interface and ignition-zone evaluation

Forensic documentation and litigation support

Licenses & Certifications

Professional Real Estate Inspector #23456 Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) · licensed since 2019
ICC Certifications #9663183 International Code Council
- Residential Combination Inspector (Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical)
- Residential Plans Examiner
- Residential Energy Inspector
Field Certification, Slab-on-Ground Post-Tensioning #02111877 Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) · Certified 2021
Level 2 Third-Party Exterior Inspector #TX-226 Exterior Design Institute (EDI) · stucco / EIFS (expired)
Building Moisture Inspection (BMI) #70263265 IICRC · 2026
Commercial Applicator License #0880297 Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
Building Science Principles BPI · 2026 Building Performance Institute · Building Science Technician in progress

Professional Experience

Owner & Principal Inspector, Constructiva Realty Inspections PLLC

Austin, TX · 2022–Present

Founded the firm in 2022 to deliver third-party phase inspections of new residential construction: pre-pour foundation, pre-drywall, final, and warranty. Licensed by TREC since 2019.
Performs commercial inspections, forensic and failure documentation, and litigation-support consulting on construction-defect matters.
Reports cite the 2024 IRC, 2023 NEC, IECC, PTI standards, manufacturers' installation instructions, and builder warranty standards; maintains a reference library of 30+ builders' warranty standards.
Recognized by the City of Austin Chief Building Inspector for the thoroughness of secondary inspections.

Real Estate Inspections, Allstar Realty Inspections

Austin, TX · 2019–2021

Learned the inspection trade after licensing under the tutelage of Chris Coaty.
Performed nearly a thousand inspections during the three years of employment and parted ways on good terms. Chris I remain friends and I regularly recommend his company when I don't have availability.

Community Infrastructure & Renewable Energy Construction

Nicaragua · 2008–2018

Seeds of Learning: Led volunteer groups builing schools and libraries in rural Nicaraguan communities.
blueEnergy: led volunteers constructing renewable energy systems along the Caribbean coast.

Residential & General Construction

Beaumont, TX & International · 1996–2008 (approx.)

Hands-on residential renovation and construction beginning under his father's mentorship in Beaumont, Texas.
Additional construction work in Australia and elsewhere.

Forensic documentation & Litigation Experience

Regularly perform inspections on properties involved in active litigation.
Served as supporting inspector to a lead inspector across several construction-litigation matters.
Forensic inspection of tornado-damaged structures, Round Rock, TX.
Foundation failure analysis: subsidence identified at pre-pour later correlated to slab failure; prepared topographic failure mapping of the affected slab.
Roof failure analysis documenting improper fastening as a contributing cause of shingle failure on a mansard roof.

Representative Engagements & Clients

Frame-group inspection of an ICON 3D-printed residence.
Pre-drywall and final inspections of luxury and large-scale custom residences in and around Austin.
Performance evaluation of Class 4 impact-rated roofing following the 2023 Central Texas hail events.
New-construction inspections for high-end builders and engineering firms including Arbogast, Unicus, and RDH Engineering.

Professional Memberships

ASTM International, Organizational Member — voting participation on construction standards
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
Home Builders Association of Greater Austin
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
International Code Council (ICC)

Continuing Education & Training

2026

08/2026Roundtable with senior code professionals (Kyle Workman, Glen Davis, Bob Welborn, Mark Stanford, Don Putnam)
06/2026IICRC Building Moisture Inspection certification (3-day)
06/2026Field ride-along with Glen Davis, CBO, MCP
04/2026City of Austin "Inspection Ready" inspection seminar
04/2026Central Texas Roofing Contractors Association roof code class
04/2026HBA Plumbing & IRC Code Essential Skills (Mustang Plumbing / Copeland Engineering)
04/2026SPEER Energy Ambassador meeting, Texas energy-code adoption
02/2026Stucco & water-intrusion class with Don Putnam, Putnam Consulting
02/2026Houston BPI Mechanical Code & Electrical Calculations
02/2026Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) class, Chris Copeland, Copeland Engineering
01/2026SPEER presentation on 2024 IECC code updates
01/2026BPI Building Science Principles exam (passed)

2025

12/2025Austin Fire Department ride-along, Structural Ignition Zone Evaluations
11/2025PTI slab-on-ground recertification (4-year), Austin certification week
11/2025BPI in-person: Wood Structural Framing (6 hr) and 2024 Wildland-Urban Interface Code (6 hr)
11/2025Inspection ride-along, ICON 3D-printed house
OngoingMentorship and field ride-alongs with Glen Davis, CBO, MCP

Selected recent training. A full continuing-education log is available on request.

Media & Published Commentary

Community Impact (2025), Central Texas home inspectors on the inspection process.
U.S. News & World Report, "What Home Inspectors Look For."
Houwzer, "Is a New Home Inspection Necessary?" — on new-home drainage and warranty issues
ListWithClever, quoted on home-inspection cost, foundation-inspection cost, and septic inspection.

Public Education & Languages

Constructiva Inspections YouTube channel: inspection walkthroughs and construction-defect education for buyers and industry professionals.
Languages: English and Spanish — fluent, conversational; bilingual inspection and reporting services.

Education

Lamar University, Beaumont, TX — Communications, 1996–2000 (coursework; degree not completed)
High School Diploma, 1996.

Casey Callais · Curriculum Vitae Constructiva Realty Inspections PLLC · TREC #23456