What Does a Professional Snagging Survey Check in a New Build Home?

A professional snagging survey is designed to identify defects, unfinished work and problems with the finish of a newly built property. The inspection normally takes place when the home is complete or close enough to completion for its main components and finishes to be assessed.

Exactly what is checked varies between snagging companies, so you should always confirm the scope before booking. However, a thorough inspection will normally cover significantly more than obvious scratches, paint marks or cosmetic imperfections.

Understanding what the inspector is likely to look at can help you compare professional snagging services and understand the report when it arrives.

What does a snagging inspector check inside the house?

The inspector will normally work methodically through the property, reviewing individual rooms and recording defects as they go.

Walls and ceilings may be checked for visible cracks, poor plastering, uneven finishes, decorating defects and damage. Skirting boards, architraves and other joinery may be inspected for gaps, poor joints or unfinished areas.

Doors and windows are another important area. The inspector may open and close them to check alignment, operation, damage and visible seals. Internal doors that catch on flooring, handles that do not operate correctly or windows that fail to close properly may all appear on a snagging report.

• Walls, ceilings and plaster finishes.

• Paintwork and decorating.

• Skirting boards and architraves.

• Internal doors, handles and hinges.

• Windows, locks and visible seals.

• Flooring and visible floor finishes.

• Staircases, handrails and balustrades.

• Cupboards and accessible storage areas.

• Sockets, switches and visible electrical fittings.

• Radiators and heating controls.

The inspection is generally visual and non-destructive. Do not assume a snagging survey includes the same work as specialist electrical testing, drainage surveys or invasive structural investigations unless the company specifically says otherwise.

Kitchen and bathroom snagging checks

Kitchens and bathrooms contain numerous fittings and finishes, which means they can produce a relatively large number of individual snags.

In the kitchen, an inspector may check cabinet doors and drawers for alignment, examine worktop joins, look for damage and check whether visible sealant has been applied neatly. Installed appliances and fittings may also be examined for obvious installation issues where this falls within the service.

Bathroom checks can include sanitaryware, taps, showers, screens, tiles, grout and sealant. The inspector may also look for visible leaks, poor drainage or fittings that have not been secured correctly.

• Kitchen cupboard and drawer alignment.

• Worktop joins and visible damage.

• Sink, tap and surrounding sealant.

• Integrated appliance installation where included.

• Baths, showers, basins and toilets.

• Tiles and grout.

• Silicone and sealant finishes.

• Shower screens and bathroom fittings.

• Visible signs of leaks or poor drainage.

Some defects are relatively minor individually but become frustrating when several are found in the same room. A structured professional report helps you record them accurately rather than trying to remember everything after the inspection.

Does a snagging survey check outside the property?

A comprehensive snagging inspection should normally include accessible external parts of the property as well as the interior, although the exact scope will depend on the inspector and site access.

External checks may include visible brickwork, render, gutters, downpipes, doors, windows, paths, driveways, fencing and gardens. Garages may also be inspected where they form part of the property.

Garden levels and drainage can be particularly important because water should not obviously be directed towards the home. The inspector may record poorly finished ground, damaged paving, incomplete fencing or other visible issues.

Roof inspections are more limited because snagging inspectors may not be able to access the roof safely. Ask whether the company uses ground-level visual checks, cameras or other equipment and what areas are excluded.

If you have not yet reached the snagging stage, our guide to what to look for when viewing a new build covers the wider questions to consider when comparing properties and plots.

What happens after the snagging survey?

After the inspection, you should receive a report setting out the defects that were identified. The quality and format of this document vary between companies, which is why it is worth asking to see a sample before booking.

A good report should make it straightforward to identify the location and nature of each problem. Photographs can be particularly helpful when discussing defects with the housebuilder.

Once you receive the report, submit the relevant defects through the developer's recognised process. Keep your own copy and maintain a record of which issues have been acknowledged, scheduled or completed.

• Read the complete report rather than only the summary.

• Highlight urgent or significant issues.

• Send defects through the housebuilder's official reporting process.

• Keep photographs and correspondence together.

• Record when repair appointments take place.

• Check completed remedial work carefully.

• Consider a professional reinspection if substantial work was required.

The experience after submitting a snagging report can differ between housebuilders. Before buying, it is worth researching the developer as well as the home. You can use the New Build Rankings developer directory to compare UK housebuilders and view available customer satisfaction and homeowner review information.

Check what is included before booking

There is no reason to assume every professional snagging service includes exactly the same checks. Before paying a deposit or booking fee, ask the inspector for a written description of the service.

Check whether external areas, garages, loft spaces and thermal imaging are included. You should also ask how long the inspection normally takes, when the report will be available and whether you can speak to the inspector afterwards.

The aim of a professional snagging survey is not simply to produce the longest possible list of minor imperfections. It should provide a clear, independent assessment of visible defects in your newly built home and give you a practical document that can be used when raising issues with the developer.

Knowing what the service covers before booking will help you choose an inspector whose approach matches the property and the level of reassurance you are looking for.