When Should I Schedule QII Verification?
Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems
When Should I Schedule QII Verification should be answered before insulation, drywall, tubs, showers, cabinets, exterior finishes, or other construction begins concealing the parts of the building envelope that need to be inspected.
The safest approach is to identify the QII requirement during the planning or permit stage and contact the appropriate rater before construction reaches the first verification point.
For a current project using the 2025 California Energy Code, required residential field verification is performed through the Energy Code Compliance Program by an appropriately qualified ECC Rater. Projects governed by earlier Energy Code cycles can still use HERS terminology and HERS-related documentation.
A typical QII schedule includes two important construction stages:
- Framing and air-infiltration-sealing verification before insulation conceals the applicable conditions
- Insulation-installation verification while the insulation remains visible and accessible
Waiting until the project is ready for drywall can create a serious scheduling problem because some required air-barrier and insulation conditions may already be hidden.
The project team should therefore review the Certificate of Compliance early, determine whether QII field verification is required, and coordinate the rater with the construction schedule.
Alternative Energy Systems can review the Title 24 calculations and help identify whether QII is included in the energy-compliance design. Required third-party field verification is a separate construction-stage service performed by the applicable rater.
Call (626) 365-1518 if QII appears on your energy report and you need help understanding when the verification should be coordinated.
The Best Time to Plan QII Verification Is Before Construction Reaches Insulation
QII should not be treated as an inspection that can be arranged at the very end of construction.
The process evaluates work that becomes concealed as construction advances.
That means scheduling should begin before the affected work becomes inaccessible.
Check the Certificate of Compliance First
The Certificate of Compliance identifies field-verification measures associated with the approved energy design.
Before scheduling anything, determine whether the project actually identifies QII as a required measure.
Useful documents can include:
- Certificate of Compliance
- Title 24 calculations
- Current construction plans
- Insulation specifications
- Existing ECC or HERS documentation
If QII is listed, the construction team should know about it before framing, air sealing, and insulation schedules are finalized.
Do Not Wait Until the Insulation Contractor Is Already on Site
Calling a rater after insulation installation has already started can make coordination more difficult.
The rater may need access to conditions that should have been reviewed before insulation was placed.
Early scheduling gives the contractor time to coordinate the applicable framing-stage verification without stopping work unexpectedly.
Tell the Framing and Insulation Contractors About QII
The people performing the work should know that the project includes third-party verification.
This allows them to plan for:
- Air sealing
- Hard-to-access cavities
- Exterior-wall conditions
- Attic details
- Insulation around plumbing and wiring
- Access for the rater
- Correction of deficiencies before concealment
QII is much easier to manage when it is incorporated into the construction schedule instead of discovered after the work is finished.
Identify the Applicable Energy Code Version
Code cycle matters because California changed the terminology used for residential field verification beginning with the 2025 Energy Code.
Applicable permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 generally use the 2025 Energy Code.
Current 2025 documentation uses ECC terminology, while older code-cycle projects can still display HERS terminology.
Review Which Title 24 Energy Code Version Do I Need if the applicable code cycle is unclear.
Schedule the First QII Verification Before Insulation Conceals the Framing
Air-Infiltration Sealing and Air Barriers Need to Remain Visible
The first major QII scheduling point is associated with the framing and air-sealing stage.
Current California single-family compliance documents include a specific QII Air Infiltration Sealing – Framing Stage verification form.
The purpose is to confirm applicable air-barrier and sealing conditions while they can still be inspected.
When Is the Framing Stage Ready?
The correct timing depends on the project, but the applicable framing and air-sealing work should be sufficiently complete for inspection while remaining visible.
The rater may need to evaluate applicable conditions involving:
- Exterior walls
- Ceilings
- Raised floors
- Garage interfaces
- Kneewalls
- Attic boundaries
- Utility penetrations
- Other boundaries between conditioned and unconditioned space
Should Insulation Be Installed Before the Framing-Stage Verification?
Do not assume it should.
The current QII insulation-verification documentation specifically recognizes that applicable air-barrier installation and preparation for insulation are verified before insulation installation.
Coordinate the actual sequence with the rater so required framing-stage conditions are not hidden prematurely.
What Should Be Complete Before the Rater Arrives?
Applicable air-sealing work should be ready enough to evaluate.
Potential areas can include penetrations involving:
- Plumbing
- Electrical wiring
- Mechanical systems
- Framing transitions
- Other envelope openings
The exact checklist depends on the building and construction assemblies.
What Should Remain Open?
Any applicable condition that the rater needs to verify should remain accessible.
Avoid covering required inspection areas with:
- Insulation installed too early
- Drywall
- Paneling
- Permanent interior finishes
- Other materials that prevent verification
Schedule Around Tubs and Showers When They Affect Exterior Walls
Tubs and shower assemblies installed against exterior walls can make insulation and air-barrier areas difficult to access later.
When applicable, those wall conditions should be coordinated before the enclosure blocks access.
Schedule Around Stairwells and Fireplaces
Similar problems can occur where exterior-envelope areas become concealed behind:
- Fireplace assemblies
- Stairwells
- Architectural chases
- Other permanent construction
The project team should identify these areas before they become inaccessible.
Hard-to-Access Cavities Should Be Planned Early
Wall intersections, corner channels, and other difficult framing cavities can become impossible to insulate correctly after later construction is installed.
These conditions should be coordinated as part of the framing and insulation schedule rather than treated as last-minute details.
Schedule the Insulation-Stage Verification Before Drywall
The Rater Needs to See the Installed Insulation Before It Is Concealed
The second major QII scheduling point occurs after the applicable insulation has been installed but before drywall or other finishes prevent inspection.
This is when the rater can evaluate whether the installed insulation corresponds to the energy-compliance documentation and applicable QII criteria.
What Should Be Ready for the Insulation Verification?
The applicable insulation installation should be complete enough for the rater to inspect the required areas.
Depending on the project, this can include:
- Exterior-wall insulation
- Ceiling insulation
- Roof-deck insulation
- Raised-floor insulation
- Kneewall insulation
- Skylight-shaft insulation
- Other applicable envelope surfaces
Do Not Schedule Drywall for the Same Time Without Coordination
Drywall can quickly conceal the conditions that need to be verified.
The safest construction sequence allows enough time for:
- Rater inspection
- Correction of any deficiencies
- Reverification when necessary
- Drywall installation after the required verification has been completed
Scheduling trades too tightly can turn a minor insulation correction into a larger construction delay.
Allow Time for Corrections
A project should not assume the first inspection will automatically result in every item passing.
If the rater identifies a deficiency, the contractor may need time to correct:
- Gaps
- Voids
- Compression
- Missing insulation
- Improper fitting around wiring
- Improper fitting around plumbing
- Incomplete air barriers
- Other applicable conditions
A small amount of schedule flexibility can prevent drywall or finish trades from arriving before the envelope work is ready.
Insulation Labels Should Be Available
The current California QII insulation-verification form requires applicable insulation product labels or specification information to be provided to the ECC Rater.
For loose-fill products, manufacturer coverage information can also be needed.
Do not wait until inspection day to begin searching for product information.
Loose-Fill Insulation May Need Depth and Density Verification
Applicable loose-fill installations include additional verification criteria.
The rater may need to evaluate installed depth and density at multiple locations against the required R-value and manufacturer coverage information.
The insulation should therefore be complete enough to evaluate while the required indicators remain visible.
Do Not Remove Attic Depth Markers Before Verification
Where attic rulers or other applicable depth indicators are required, they should remain available so the installed insulation can be evaluated.
Make Sure the Installed R-Values Match the Approved Design
Before scheduling the rater, compare the installed insulation with the Certificate of Compliance.
If the contractor has substituted another product or changed an assembly, ask whether the Title 24 documentation needs to be reviewed before verification.
Do Not Let Drywall Get Ahead of QII Verification
Concealing Required Inspection Areas Too Soon Can Create Avoidable Problems
One of the most important scheduling rules is simple: do not intentionally conceal work that still requires verification.
QII focuses on physical construction conditions.
Once the wall or ceiling is closed, the rater may no longer be able to see what needs to be verified.
Can Drywall Be Delivered Before the Inspection?
Material delivery by itself is generally a construction-management issue.
The critical concern is whether drywall or another finish is actually installed over areas that still require verification.
Coordinate the sequencing with the rater and contractor before closing the assemblies.
What if the Drywall Crew Is Already Scheduled?
Confirm the QII verification status before allowing work to proceed.
If required verification remains incomplete, rescheduling a finish trade may be less disruptive than opening completed construction later.
What if Some Walls Are Ready and Others Are Not?
Ask the rater how the project should be coordinated.
Do not independently assume that partial closure is acceptable if required inspection areas are involved.
Large projects can have more complicated sequencing, so communication becomes especially important.
What if Exterior Finishes Will Hide a Cavity?
QII scheduling is not only about interior drywall.
Exterior sheathing, siding, stucco systems, roofing work, and other construction can also make certain envelope areas inaccessible.
Hard-to-reach cavities should be addressed before construction prevents access.
What About Cabinets?
Cabinets can conceal wall areas after drywall has already been installed.
The larger issue is that QII wall verification should normally be coordinated before the wall cavity is closed in the first place.
What About Built-In Tubs and Showers?
When these assemblies affect exterior-envelope access, their installation schedule may need to account for insulation and air-barrier work.
What About Spray Foam?
Spray polyurethane foam installations should also be coordinated with the required inspection sequence.
The product should be installed according to manufacturer instructions and the approved energy design.
Do not assume that using spray foam eliminates QII verification when QII is listed on the compliance documents.
Coordinate Attic QII Verification With the Actual Attic Design
Vented and Unvented Attics Can Require Different Construction Timing
Attic insulation can be installed at different stages depending on the roof-and-ceiling assembly.
The QII schedule should therefore reflect the actual attic design rather than a generic construction sequence.
When Should Ceiling Insulation Be Verified?
Applicable ceiling insulation should remain accessible long enough for required verification.
The rater can evaluate conditions involving:
- Insulation contact with the ceiling air barrier
- Gaps
- Voids
- Compression
- Attic access insulation
- Eave conditions
- Loose-fill depth
When Should Attic Access Insulation Be Installed?
The attic-access assembly should be coordinated so the required insulation and applicable insulation dam can be verified.
Do not leave required attic-access details unfinished while expecting the remainder of the attic to receive final verification.
When Should Eave Baffles Be Installed?
Applicable baffles or dams should be installed before loose-fill or batt insulation makes the eave areas difficult to inspect or correct.
Required ventilation openings should remain unobstructed.
What About Loose-Fill Attic Insulation?
Schedule verification when the installation is complete enough for the rater to evaluate the required depth and density conditions.
Keep applicable product information and depth indicators available.
What About an Unvented Attic?
An unvented attic has different air-barrier and insulation relationships from a conventional vented attic.
Roof-deck insulation, gable-end conditions, and other applicable components should be coordinated according to the approved design.
Do not schedule based on assumptions from a different attic configuration.
What About a High-Performance Attic?
High-performance attic designs can involve specific combinations of insulation, roof-deck measures, ducts, ventilation, and other energy features.
The QII schedule should correspond to the actual measures shown in the Title 24 documentation.
Should HVAC Duct Installation Be Coordinated Too?
Yes when ductwork affects access to insulation or envelope assemblies.
Mechanical systems can make attic or framing areas harder to reach after installation.
Construction sequencing should preserve access for the work and verification that still need to occur.
Schedule the ECC Rater Early Enough to Protect the Construction Timeline
Current 2025 Projects Use California’s Energy Code Compliance Program
For current 2025 Energy Code projects, California uses the Energy Code Compliance Program for applicable residential field verification and diagnostic testing.
The program is administered through approved ECC Providers, which train and oversee ECC Raters and operate residential data registries.
For official program information, review the California Energy Commission Energy Code Compliance Program.
How Far in Advance Should I Contact the Rater?
There is no universal number of days that applies to every company, project, or construction schedule.
Availability can vary.
The better rule is to contact the rater well before the project reaches the first required verification stage rather than waiting until the day the inspection is needed.
Should I Hire the Rater During Plan Review?
You can identify and coordinate the rater early once you know the project requires field verification.
The actual construction-stage inspections occur later, but early coordination can help prevent confusion about:
- Required stages
- Access
- Scheduling
- Documentation
- Project registry requirements
Who Is Responsible for Scheduling the Rater?
Responsibility can depend on the construction contract and project team.
The building owner, builder, contractor, or another responsible participant should make sure required field verification is coordinated.
Do not assume the building department or Title 24 consultant automatically schedules the rater unless that service is expressly included in the project agreement.
Does AES Schedule the ECC Rater?
Alternative Energy Systems prepares energy-compliance documentation and can identify verification requirements associated with the Title 24 design.
Third-party field verification is a separate service unless the project agreement specifically states otherwise.
Does the Building Department Schedule QII?
No assumption should be made that the building department will arrange third-party Energy Code verification for the project.
Building-department inspections and ECC field verification are separate compliance functions.
What if My Project Still Uses HERS Terminology?
Earlier Energy Code cycles can continue using HERS terminology on their compliance documentation.
The California Energy Commission confirms that 2025 Energy Code documentation uses ECC terminology while older code-cycle forms continue to display HERS references.
The applicable code version should be confirmed before scheduling the wrong type of documentation.
What if I Waited Too Long to Schedule QII Verification?
Stop Before Concealing More Work and Review the Compliance Requirements
If the project has advanced farther than expected, do not assume the QII requirement disappears.
The next step depends on what has already been constructed and which verification stage was missed.
What if Insulation Is Installed but Not Yet Covered?
Contact the rater promptly.
The insulation may still be accessible for the applicable insulation-stage verification, but any earlier framing-stage requirement also needs to be addressed through the proper compliance process.
What if Drywall Has Already Been Installed?
Contact the rater and energy consultant before proceeding further.
Do not assume the project can simply submit photographs or contractor statements in place of required verification.
Some conditions may no longer be visible.
Can Photographs Solve a Missed Inspection?
Do not rely on photographs as an automatic substitute.
Required field verification must follow the applicable California procedures and ECC Provider requirements.
The rater determines what can be verified under the program rules.
Can QII Be Removed Instead?
Potentially, but only if the energy design can be revised and still demonstrate compliance.
If QII was used in a performance calculation, removing it can reduce the modeled thermal performance of the building envelope.
Other efficiency measures may be required to compensate.
Should Construction Continue While QII Is Unresolved?
Avoid concealing additional affected work until the project team understands what still needs to be verified.
Continuing construction without resolving the issue can make later corrections more difficult.
What if the Rater Finds a Deficiency?
The ECC Program requires failed measures to be corrected until they satisfy the applicable compliance threshold.
Potential correction items can include:
- Missing insulation
- Gaps
- Voids
- Compression
- Incomplete air sealing
- Incorrect materials
- Installation that does not match the Certificate of Compliance
Building some correction time into the schedule can keep one failed item from disrupting every trade that follows.
Does Reinspection Add Time?
It can.
The amount of additional time depends on the deficiency, repair, rater availability, and project schedule.
This is another reason early coordination is preferable to treating QII as a last-minute inspection.
Can Plan Changes Affect QII Scheduling?
Yes.
If the project changes:
- Wall assemblies
- Roof assemblies
- Insulation levels
- Conditioned floor area
- Attic configuration
- Other envelope features
the energy documentation may need to be reviewed before construction continues.
Do not schedule verification around an outdated energy report when the plans have materially changed.
Should I Send Revised Plans to AES?
Yes when design changes affect the energy analysis.
AES can compare the revised construction with the current Title 24 documentation and determine whether updated calculations or forms are needed.
Why Choose Alternative Energy Systems?
Alternative Energy Systems provides professional Title 24 calculations, compliance documentation, revisions, and energy-related plan-check support throughout California.
AES brings more than 30 years of California energy-compliance experience to:
- New homes
- ADUs
- Garage conversions
- Additions
- Residential remodels
- Multifamily projects
- Envelope-compliance projects
- Projects involving QII
- Plan-check corrections
- Energy-report revisions
AES can identify QII requirements in the energy documentation and help keep the calculations coordinated with the current plans. Required third-party field verification is performed separately by the applicable rater unless the project agreement expressly states otherwise.
Learn more through the About Us page, review company background on the clients page, or explore Title 24 energy compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions: When Should I Schedule QII Verification?
When Should I Schedule QII Verification?
Begin coordinating QII verification before the project reaches insulation. The framing and air-sealing stage should be addressed before applicable conditions are concealed, followed by insulation verification while the insulation remains accessible.
Should I contact the rater before insulation is installed?
Yes. Early contact helps coordinate the framing-stage air-sealing verification that can need to occur before insulation hides the applicable conditions.
When should the framing-stage QII inspection happen?
It should be coordinated when applicable framing and air-sealing work is ready for verification but before insulation or other construction prevents inspection.
When should the insulation-stage verification happen?
After the applicable insulation is installed and ready for inspection but before drywall or other finishes conceal it.
Should I schedule drywall before the QII inspection?
Do not allow drywall to conceal required inspection areas before the applicable verification has been completed.
How many QII stages are there?
Current California single-family QII documentation includes separate framing-stage air-infiltration-sealing and insulation-installation verification forms.
Can QII be inspected after insulation is installed?
The insulation stage is inspected after installation, but applicable framing-stage and air-barrier verification must also be coordinated at the proper time.
Can QII be inspected after drywall?
Required conditions should remain visible and accessible. Drywall can make required verification impossible or significantly more difficult.
Can I schedule QII on the same day as drywall?
That creates unnecessary risk if corrections are needed. Allow enough time for inspection and any required repairs before finishes conceal the work.
How far in advance should I contact an ECC Rater?
There is no universal number of days. Contact the rater well before the first required verification stage because availability and project complexity vary.
Should I coordinate the rater during plan review?
Early identification can be helpful once the Certificate of Compliance shows that field verification is required, even though the actual inspections occur during construction.
Who schedules the ECC Rater?
Responsibility depends on the project arrangement. The owner, builder, contractor, or another responsible participant should ensure required verification is scheduled.
Does AES automatically schedule the rater?
Do not assume so. AES prepares energy-compliance documentation and can identify required measures, while third-party verification is a separate service unless specifically included in the project agreement.
Does the building department schedule QII?
Building-department inspections and ECC field verification are different processes. Do not assume the jurisdiction schedules the project’s ECC Rater.
When should attic insulation be inspected?
Schedule it when the applicable attic insulation and related details are complete enough for verification while remaining accessible.
Should loose-fill insulation be complete before the inspection?
It should be installed to the stage required for the rater to evaluate applicable depth, density, product information, and other QII criteria.
Do insulation labels need to be available at inspection?
Yes. Current QII criteria require applicable insulation labels or specification sheets to be provided to the ECC Rater.
What if the rater finds a problem?
The contractor should correct the applicable deficiency and complete the required verification before the affected work is concealed.
What if I already installed drywall?
Contact the rater and energy consultant before proceeding further. Do not assume photographs or contractor statements automatically replace required field verification.
Can I remove QII if I missed the inspection?
Potentially only through a revised compliant energy analysis. Removing QII can change the modeled envelope performance and may require other efficiency measures.
What if my Title 24 report says HERS instead of ECC?
The project may be governed by an earlier Energy Code cycle. Older compliance documents can still use HERS terminology, while 2025-code projects use ECC terminology.
What should I send AES if I need scheduling guidance?
Send the current plans, Certificate of Compliance, Title 24 calculations, insulation specifications, applicable ECC or HERS documents, and the current construction stage.
How do I get help understanding my QII schedule?
Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518, email info@title24energy.com, or use the contact page.
When service and payment have already been arranged, payment can be completed through the AES payment page.
