Is this gap in framing a mistake or normal, and is any remediation needed?

Question

Context: Contractors framed out half a basement for basic finishing (insulated walls and electrical to make the space retain more winter heat and be more usable). Basement is dry now, after significant drainage upgrades (full wrap-around interior french drains, 2 sump pits + pumps). Plan is to put up sheetrock on interior of finished space, exterior is unfinished and we'll be slower to put a wall up (may just be plywood or wood paneling).

Framing is done and I'm roughing in wiring, but before I finalize that, there is a corner in the framing that I'm unsure about. Here's what I'm looking at:

Blue arrow points to the gap between bottom plates.

Here's a zoom in of that gap (don't mind the borehole sawdust):

From another angle, highlighting the most immediate issue with that gap: how will drywall connect to studs at that corner?

This might've been motivated by some wackiness with the existing stair case the framers worked around. They were running the walls exactly parallel or perpendicular to the concrete block walls (at least 1" off those concrete walls), but for this interior wall alongside the stairwell, they found the stairs were not exactly parallel with the concrete walls. They framed so to leave a gap between studs and stairs to slide drywall in between.

When I look at this, it's unclear to me how drywall will attach at that corner, and it makes me wonder if the gap between bottom plates matters for any reason (for example, I figure it's best not to insulate down to concrete but instead rest batts on wood).

This has me wondering about workmanship quality but I'm too inexperienced to judge. To get this ready for insulation and drywall, should any additional wood be added? Blocking up and down the stud cavity to the left in the first photo, to give anchor points to drywall? Or add an entire new corner stud to that cavity so there's a nice drywall anchor point with 90-degrees (and a small gap) between studs? And what about the gap between bottom plates, is it needed/sufficient to add a block of wood in there to hold up insulation?

Answer 1

While this is in the category of some "sloppy work", I don't know that it can cause an issue.

Is there a reason for the gap? Not that I can conceive.

Attaching the drywall at the corner can be done without issue. I would only say there would be a problem if you plan to mount something heavy in the corner. In that case there should be more studs for support.

Answer 2

I see several areas of concern. The gap isn't one of them, as drywall will span that without issue.

1. The bottom plates don't appear to be treated against decay (or isolated from the concrete). In the modern era this is required in most jurisdictions.

2. The two end studs appear severely out of parallel. This suggests that one or both walls are out of plumb. I would put a level on both. Also check any doorways on both axes, where this would result in poor operation.

3. The end studs aren't connected. A block of some sort should be used mid-height to tie them so they don't move with respect to each other. This makes your drywall joint more stable. Given the gap, don't displace the studs to bring them together. Keep them plumb and straight.

Answer 3

There should not be a gap between the walls. Framing should be tight and continuous. There should be framing there for the drywall to be screwed to. Yes, it is possible for drywall to span, but it’s not ideal and not best practice. No major advantage to framing it this way rather than the right way. As another user mentioned, the walls should also be connected for rigidity, and ideally double studs on the wall that doesn’t have wiring through it for that adjacent wall to be nailed into. PT bottom plates as well. I agree with the other user on the studs looking out of plumb as well but that’s hard to tell for certain through a picture and could be illusory, but easy to tell with a 6’ level or by eye in (how it lines up with adjacent wall) in person.