A construction loan draw inspection is a check on how far a building project has actually come before the lender releases the next round of money. Construction loans pay out in stages, not all at once. Each time a borrower asks for the next draw, someone needs to confirm the work is really done. That is the job of the draw inspection.
Core Building Inspections fills that role as a neutral third party. We visit the site, measure what has been built, and report back in plain language the lender and borrower can both follow. With decades of combined field experience and standards-driven reporting, we help lenders across the region release funds with confidence.
A draw inspection is more than a quick look around the site. It ties the money being requested to the work that has been finished. Our reports give the lender a clear, defensible record of progress for each draw.
Most construction loans follow a draw schedule built from the project budget. The budget breaks the job into line items — site work, foundation, framing, roofing, mechanical, finishes, and so on. Each draw request says how much of that work is complete. Our job is to confirm those numbers match what is standing on the ground.
Before the first draw, it helps to set a starting point. We review the project budget and schedule, look at the permits and plans, and document the site as it stands. This baseline gives the lender a clean reference for every draw that follows. It also catches problems early, before money has gone out the door.
These are the heart of the service. On each visit, we walk the site and assign a percentage complete to every major line item in the budget. A large commercial project can have 25 to 50 separate components. We photograph the work, note what has changed since the last visit, and compare it against the amount being requested. If the draw asks for more than the work supports, the report says so.
The last inspection confirms the project is finished and matches the approved plans and permits. This is the report a lender leans on before releasing the final payment and closing out the loan.
We keep the process simple, since lenders work on tight draw schedules.
First, the lender or loan servicer sends the order, the project budget, and the current draw request. Next, we schedule the site visit, usually within a few days. On site, we document every active and completed line item with dated photos and measurements. Then we deliver a written report with a percentage complete for each component and any concerns we found. From there, the lender decides whether to approve, partially fund, or hold the draw.
If something looks off — work billed but not yet done, materials sitting on site but not installed, or quality problems — we flag it clearly. We do not make the funding decision. We give the lender the facts to make it.
Not every inspection report carries the same weight. A weak report leaves the lender guessing. A strong one protects the loan.
Accuracy matters most. A draw inspector who overstates progress can expose a lender to over-billing, and the risk grows fast if a contractor stalls or walks away from the job. Honest, careful percentage estimates are the whole point of the work.
Impartiality matters too. A good draw inspector has no stake in the project beyond reporting the truth. We work for the lender, not the builder, so the numbers stay neutral.
On each visit we document:
Speed rounds it out. A held draw delays payment to contractors, which can stall a job. Quick, accurate reporting keeps projects moving. Our background in commercial work — including [Property Condition Assessments](https://corecreinspections.com/services/property-condition-assessments-pca/) and full building inspections — means we read a job site the way an experienced builder would.
Lenders need reports they can defend. That is what we deliver.
We are CCPIA Certified and ICC Certified, and we hold ASTM membership — the same standards that support lender due diligence on commercial property. Our inspections are performed in general conformance with recognized commercial inspection standards, which keeps our reporting consistent and credible. You can learn more about commercial inspection standards through the [Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association](https://www.ccpia.org/).
Based in Voorhees, New Jersey, we serve construction projects across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. That regional focus means we understand the local permitting and building practices in the markets where your loans sit.
We also believe a report is only useful if you can act on it. We do not just hand over a file and walk away. We explain what we found, what it means for the current draw, and what to watch for on the next visit.
If you have a construction loan to fund and want progress reports you can stand behind, request a quote and we will set up your draw inspection schedule.
Certified under nationally recognized commercial inspection standards to ensure consistency, accuracy, and professional accountability.
CCPIA Certified
Certified under nationally recognized commercial inspection standards to ensure consistency, accuracy, and professional accountability.
ICC Certified
Ongoing education and training aligned with current safety practices, codes, and inspection methodologies.
ASTM Member
Inspections performed in general conformance with ASTM standards, supporting due diligence and lender requirements.
Years of Experience
Extensive field experience inspecting diverse commercial properties across multiple asset types and markets.
Highly Trained
Continuous training and practical expertise focused on risk identification, system performance, and long-term planning.
Almost always the lender or the loan servicer. The inspection protects the lender’s money, so the lender sets the schedule and receives the report. Borrowers and contractors benefit too, since accurate reports help payments move on time.
It depends on the project and the lender. Many projects run on a 30 to 45 day cycle, while others are tied to milestones like foundation, framing, or final completion. We can match whatever cadence your draw schedule calls for.
We report exactly what we find, with photos and a percentage complete for each line item. If the request is ahead of the actual work, the report shows the gap. The lender then decides whether to fund part of the draw, hold it, or ask for more documentation.
Our focus is commercial and mixed-use construction, from ground-up builds to major renovations. Our team’s experience spans both commercial and residential standards, so we can speak to a wide range of project types.
We know a held draw can stall a job, so we turn reports around promptly after the site visit. Timing depends on project size and how many line items we are tracking, and we confirm a turnaround window when you place the order.
