Can a borrower do their own draw inspection?

Why the inspection is usually independent.

A draw inspection exists so that the party asking for money is not the only party confirming the work is done. When the borrower or builder performs the inspection, the lender is relying on the requester's own account of progress, which is weaker evidence in a dispute, a workout or an exam. Bank supervisors expect disbursement controls the lender runs; the OCC's Commercial Real Estate Lending booklet lists site inspection among them, and the FDIC's examination manual treats inspection and disbursement controls as core parts of a construction lending program.

That is also why the lender orders the inspection even when the borrower pays for it; see who pays for a draw inspection.

Where borrower photos do fit.

Some lenders allow borrower-captured evidence for draws that fit the risk: small draws, simple scopes, experienced borrowers or rehab projects with short timelines. These are usually called self-inspection draws. Where they are allowed, lenders typically add controls such as required photo views, capture with time stamps and location data, and an independent on-site visit at set points or when something looks wrong.

The decision belongs to the lender's written policy, not to the borrower's preference.

What a borrower can do instead.

A borrower has real influence over how smoothly an inspection goes: keep the site safe and accessible, send accurate contact details and access instructions, submit a complete draw request, and document work before it is covered. See does the builder need to be present for the preparation list.

Why it matters for lenders.

Decide in advance which loans, if any, may use borrower-captured evidence, what that evidence must include, and what triggers an independent visit. A clear rule protects the lender and gives borrowers a straight answer.

How RAZE handles it.

Inspections on RAZE are always ordered by the lender's team in the Ordering Engine. For an independent inspection, the lender routes the order to a RAZE Marketplace inspector or to its own inspector. Where its policy allows self-capture, the lender can send a Direct Request to the borrower or general contractor instead, who completes the inspection in the RAZE Mobile App under the same order type. Either way, the lender sets the required questions and photos, every photo carries GPS coordinates and date and time stamps, and the report goes to the lender, who decides what it supports.