The Professional Snagging Company

Snagging is the process of checking a new build property for defects, poor workmanship and more serious issues that would fail building regulations. Almost anything in a new property can be snagged during a snagging survey. A snagging inspector will look for anything broken or damaged during the construction process, review how well fixtures and fittings have been installed, and check the quality of building and decorating finish. An example of the types of issues a snagging inspector might find could include scratches on a windowpane or worktop, ‘grinning’ due to poor paintwork, faulty extractor fans, mislaid turf, a staircase outside of tolerance or poor caulking. A full list would be near never ending as anything in a property could be snagged. A typical new home in the UK will return over 120 snags as most developments are built on mass and to tight timelines.

Snagging should be done once a building developer has finished construction and decoration. Snagging can happen before or after completion. Ideally, a snagging inspection would happen before completion. This will give the building developer plenty of time to fix the snags before the property is moved into. Additionally, having a snagging report given to property developers before moving in means that there will be no disagreement about damage being caused by a developer or caused by an occupant. That said, new home owners have up to two years to complete snagging. However, most property developers will insist on snagging happening as soon as possible to avoid the additional cost of sending contactors back to a property rather than use builders and decorators they have on site while continuing the development.

Every property is different and each development will have different standards of finish, even between developments. However, this is a list of some frequently found snags:

• Untidy finishes on plasterwork, particularly around areas such as piping, media plates, light switches and plug sockets
• Poor finishing on grouting between tiles
• Surface cracking and joints showing through on ceilings and walls
• Damage to window and door frames – especially the underside of French Door as they are often dragged on the ground during fitting
• Treads not even on staircases
• Damage to skirting woodwork
• Units, and particularly wall units, with paint splashes
• Insufficient insulation on water pipes and tanks
• Mortar splashing on brickwork
• Uneven and poor turf laying – often caused by poor groundwork

For major defects such as those causing a danger to inhabitants or construction not meeting NHBC standards then immediately and urgently. Any issues of this kind should be resolved before moving in. For snags that are less serious this would depend on the nature of the snag. Some issues such as damage to floor tiles or scratches to windowpanes could involve a lead time while the developer orders a replacement, the wait could be weeks. On the other hand issues with cosmetic finishes could be addressed the next day. This of course all depends on how helpful the developers are. Some property developers employ staff outside of their construction teams to fix snags.

Ideally, you should have your snagging done prior to moving in, once all tradesmen have finished their work, but are still on site.

Some developers will not grant access to professional snaggers pre completion. However, if your developer is registered with the New Homes Quality Board, you are entitled to a Pre-Completion Inspection, which we detail in the pre completion inspection page.

Don’t forget you can have an inspection carried out at any time within in the first two years of your warranty. You can submit your first snagging list at any time during this period.

Get in touch with us as soon as possible and we will help you to re-schedule your snagging inspection.