A few years ago, remote inspections were seen as a temporary solution. A workaround. A necessary pivot during lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Today, they’re reshaping how private lenders scale, and raising new questions about what the draw process should look like in 2025.

Inspections have always been the heartbeat of draw funding. But, with borrowers expecting faster timelines and teams running leaner than ever, lenders are rethinking the in-person site visit. And many are asking the same question: is it time to move to remote?

It’s less about replacing in-person and more about knowing when to use it, as well as understanding when a smarter, faster option is already right in front of you. 

What Virtual Draw Inspections Actually Look Like

Virtual (or remote) draw inspections let borrowers take photos and videos all through a mobile app. There’s no scheduling and no waiting for someone to physically show up. It’s a tech-forward way to verify progress and release funds faster.

Sitewire walks borrowers through exactly what’s needed, using intuitive checklists and step-by-step prompts. And it ensures that the whole site is captured, not just what’s in the draw request. Sensor-based tools like geo-tagging, timestamping and crumbtrails ensure everything submitted is accurate, verified and fraud-free. Once submitted, inspections are reviewed by licensed GCs, not bots, moonlighting home inspectors, or appraisers that have never built anything. And the whole review is available for lender approval in hours.

Compare that to the traditional process of calling, scheduling, waiting, following up, and tracking down reports over several days. Not only does it frustrate borrowers, it creates a tremendous amount of back office minutiae work for lender draw teams.  The time savings alone make the case for virtual.

But, speed isn’t the only win.

Debunking the Biggest Myths About Remote Inspections

There’s a reason some lenders still hesitate to go remote; it’s not because of the process, but the perception.

Some believe remote inspections aren’t reliable, others worry their borrowers aren’t tech-savvy enough, and many fear losing visibility into the jobsite.

The reality is, remote inspections today are more traceable, more consistent, and more scalable than the average site visit. They’re backed by detailed metadata, reviewed by seasoned contractors, and stored in a digital audit trail you can reference at any time. And the GC professionals reviewing progress have access to real time data on permits, costs, and borrower track record that no onsite inspector would ever have readily available. 

Borrowers aren’t intimidated by the process; they’re relieved. Especially when it means faster cash that keeps workers onsite and fewer paperwork headaches.

And as for visibility, high-resolution captures, live video walkthroughs, and the ability to message the inspector directly often lead to more transparency, not less.

These myths persist because change is hard. People have been travelling on foot, by horseback and more recently cars for thousands of years to check on construction. But lenders who embrace new inspection models and 21st Century methods are the ones gaining speed, control, and loyalty at scale. They’re the ones winning business and clawing towards the top, and offering a better virtual inspection process than Kiavi. 

When In-Person Still Makes Sense

There will always be cases where an in-person inspection is the right call.

Think complex commercial projects. Sites with heavy civil, mechanical or soil engineering questions. Regulatory requirements. That’s where site visits still play an important role.

But those cases should be the exception, not the default.

By building a hybrid model, lenders can save their boots-on-the-ground resources for high-touch situations, while letting remote handle the volume. That’s how you scale smart. With Sitewire, lenders can offer a simple, singular draw experience that handles both virtual and in-person inspections in a clean mobile-first workflow that borrowers love. 

Lender Expectations Have Evolved

In 2025, lenders aren’t just looking for a faster process, they’re looking for a better one. A process that gives them:

• Real-time updates on inspection progress

• Centralized history, communications, and documentation

• Built-in fraud prevention with audit-ready reporting

• A borrower experience that feels easy, modern and responsive

That’s where Sitewire comes in. We give lenders everything they need to accelerate draw reviews without sacrificing visibility, control, or risk management.

Inspections are reviewed by licensed GCs who follow your policies. Everything is timestamped, fraud-checked, and backed by AI validation. Borrowers get a smoother experience, your team gets fewer bottlenecks, and everyone moves faster.

The Verdict in 2025: Remote Leads. Hybrid Wins.

We’re at a tipping point.

Remote inspections are no longer a shortcut; they’re the new standard. Leading lenders are already handling the majority of their draw volume virtually, reserving in-person only for edge cases. And with Sitewire’s team of experts, they can collaborate seamlessly with onsite inspectors to deliver consistent, continuous oversight. 

It’s not only about saving time, but also reducing risk, increasing borrower retention, and giving your team room to grow.

With Sitewire, you can move faster without adding headcount, increase client satisfaction without increasing overhead, and build a reputation as the lender who delivers.

Ready to modernize your inspections? See how Sitewire makes virtual inspections easy.

👉 Book your demo today.