CONTRACTOR GLOSSARY · PERMITS & INSPECTIONS
What is a Rough inspection?
A rough inspection is the inspector's check of wiring, boxes, and connections while walls are still open — it must pass before insulation and drywall can cover the work.
The rough (or rough-in) inspection happens at the point of no return: all cable is pulled, boxes are set, and connections are made up, but nothing is covered yet. The inspector needs to see every run before insulation and drywall hide it, because after close-in the only way to verify the work is to open the wall back up.
For an electrical contractor, the rough is usually the schedule-critical inspection on a job. The GC can't insulate or hang drywall until it passes, so a failed or late rough stalls every trade behind you. Booking it the moment rough work is complete — and tracking which jobs are sitting rough-ready — is one of the easiest ways a sub protects the schedule.
Rough inspections also matter for the permit clock. In most jurisdictions a permit goes stale after months with no inspection activity, so a passed rough is what keeps a long-running job's permit alive between mobilizations.
Common questions
What does an electrical rough inspection cover?
Cable routing and securing, box fill and placement, grounding and bonding, nail plates, splices, and generally everything that will be concealed — checked against the electrical code before walls close.
What happens if you cover work before the rough inspection?
The inspector can require you to open walls or ceilings to expose the work. It's the classic expensive mistake — never let the GC close in before the rough is signed.
RevnuPros tracks the thing, not just the word
Permits to sign-off, T&M tags to signature, materials to billed through, retainage to released — built for subcontractors. Browse the full contractor glossary or the Massachusetts permit guide.
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