In the walls · 3–7 days

Insulation

Air sealing and insulation are installed in every cavity, then verified before drywall covers them. This is the last moment the envelope is visible, and the single largest permanent influence on comfort and utility cost.

Checklist

Insulation checklist

Checked items are saved on this device and update your milestone progress.

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Coverage

Is every wall cavity filled edge to edge, with no gaps behind wiring or pipes?Compressed or gapped batts lose a large share of their rated performance.
Are garage, attic-knee, and bonus-room walls insulated, not just exterior walls?
Have you photographed each room's walls and ceiling before drywall?These photos are the only permanent record of what is behind your finishes.

Air sealing

Are plumbing, wiring, and duct penetrations sealed with foam or caulk?Air leakage moves more heat and humidity than insulation R-value alone.Why this matters
Are rim joists and top plates sealed and insulated?

5 items left before you can mark this reviewed.

Questions to ask

What R-value is installed in walls, ceilings, and the garage-to-house wall?
Where is air sealing applied — top plates, rim joists, penetrations, can lights?
Is a blower-door test performed, and can I see the result?
Who inspects insulation coverage before drywall is scheduled?
If I upgraded the package, what specifically changed versus the base spec?

Inspection tips

Schedule any independent inspection before drywall is delivered, not after.
Walk the home with a flashlight — gaps read as shadows in cavity corners.
Ask for the insulation certificate listing installed R-values by assembly.

Common mistakes here

Assuming the municipal inspection judges insulation quality rather than code minimum
Declining the envelope upgrade on sticker price without comfort and utility math
Missing the window entirely because drywall was scheduled early

Learn

This one matters most

Air sealing

Sealing the holes in your home's envelope does more for comfort than adding insulation on top of leaks.

IMPImportance: 5 of 5
DIFConsumer difficulty: 4 of 5
COSTCost impact: 3 of 5
COMFComfort impact: 5 of 5
INSPInspection priority: 5 of 5

This one matters most

Insulation upgrades

The builder's upgraded envelope package is usually the most consequential option on the sheet — and the hardest to judge on price alone.

IMPImportance: 5 of 5
DIFConsumer difficulty: 5 of 5
COSTCost impact: 5 of 5
COMFComfort impact: 5 of 5
INSPInspection priority: 4 of 5

This matters

HVAC sizing

An oversized system short-cycles, leaves humidity behind, and feels worse than a correctly sized one.

IMPImportance: 4 of 5
DIFConsumer difficulty: 5 of 5
COSTCost impact: 3 of 5
COMFComfort impact: 5 of 5
INSPInspection priority: 3 of 5

Videos

What to look for at an insulation walkthroughIn production

What happens next

Drywall goes up and the walls close permanently.

Next milestone: Drywall