Snagging for New Builds Explained

You’ve probably heard the term ‘snagging’ before regarding building houses or renovating, but what does it mean? It can be unclear, leading to misunderstandings and disappointment. Read on to learn what you need to know about snagging, snagging lists and surveys, professional snagging services, snagging checklists and more.

Table of Contents

What is Snagging?
Common Issues Reported on a New Build Snagging Survey
Who is the NHBC?
Is it Worth Paying for a Professional Snagging Survey?
What to do if Reported Snags Don’t Get Fixed

What is Snagging?

When you purchase a new build property, or one that has been extensively renovated, there could be a few minor issues or ‘snags’ with the building quality that you need fixing. Snagging means inspecting a property like this for minor faults and defects. For new properties, a new build snagging inspection should be done by the buyer or a contracted snagging inspector as soon as possible, ideally within 7 days of the exchange of keys. A snagging list will be produced and given to the builders so they can come back and fix these issues.

Common Issues Reported on a New Build Snagging Survey

Common faults that come up during a snagging survey include:

Loose or cracked roof tiles
Water pipes are not connected properly, causing leaks
Taps not working, toilets not flushing
Doors don’t fit doorframes correctly
Uneven floors
Incorrectly fitted windows with gaps around the frame
Windows and doors not meeting energy efficiency standards
Creaky or wobbly stairs
Skirting boards are loose
Missing door handles, doors not opening or closing as they should
Plug sockets failing to work or not fitted to the wall currently
Poor quality paintwork including paint drips on floors or windowsills
Drafts, poor or incomplete insulation
Fascias and soffits are not fitted correctly or not joined together
Uneven brickwork
Cracking of plaster and condensation
Missing pointing especially around windows, chimneys and more
Any aesthetic issues or cosmetic damage

Some of these issues might seem pretty extreme and not something you would expect from a brand-new property. This list does seem pretty scary, but it does not mean that you will have all of these issues – just that they should be checked as soon as possible after you gain access to a new property. Builders are only human and can make mistakes like the rest of us – also some defects like condensation or cracking plaster can be resolved with effective ventilation of the property.

This is not a prescriptive or exhaustive list that should be used for a snagging survey – you can obtain a more comprehensive snagging list from the NHBC here.

FAQ: What’s the difference between a snagging inspection and a PCI (pre-completion inspection)?

A PCI is permitted before the legal completion of the property sale, whereas a snagging list is created after the buyer has completed the sale and gains access to the property. A PCI is a shorter assessment that is not as detailed as a proper snagging survey, but it does help to alert buyers to any important issues with the property before they complete the sale. Having a PCI is not a reason to skip the snagging survey, however, as other smaller defects will not be picked up on a PCI that the buyer may spot once they have access to the property and spent some time there.

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Who is the NHBC?

The NHBC, or National House Building Council, are the largest provider of new home warranties and an approved inspector for building regulation. Many builders are registered with the NHBC and offer Buildmark warranties of up to 10 years on new builds. They are a non-profit organisation that reinvests profits into improving the quality of new houses and protecting homeowners. For the Buildmark warranty to be issued, an inspector from the NHBC will visit and inspect the property to check for compliance with their standards and with UK building regulations.

Is it Worth Paying for a Professional Snagging Survey?

You can do a snagging survey yourself and report any issues to the builders to get them fixed – it’s not a legal requirement that you use a snagging surveyor. However, it could be wise to hire a professional to do the snagging survey, as their knowledge and experience enable them to do a more thorough job and look for things you may not be aware of.

If you do perform the snagging checks yourself, remember to check every part of the property, both interior and exterior, take photos or video to document any problems you encounter, and promptly report back to the builders. You do have two years after your completion date to report any snags you find in your newly built property, although the quicker you do it, the faster the issue can be resolved. You could also face the problem of builders claiming that you caused the issues if you leave it for a long time after completion, so getting it done as soon as possible is recommended.

What to do if Reported Snags Don’t Get Fixed

The building firm that built your property should come back to repair the issues reported in your snagging survey as soon as possible. But if they don’t come back, claim that it is not their responsibility, or do a poor job of fixing the songs, it can be very frustrating. Having a professional snagging surveyor produce the report can help your case with a problematic builder. You can contact the NHBC for assistance if the property is covered by their Buildmark warranty, which includes 70-80% of new homes in the UK. You can also contact your local authority if you suspect the property is not compliant with UK Building Regulations, or get assistance from the New Homes Ombudsman.

For the most part, snags are repaired quickly and easily by the building company with no extra hassle on the part of the homeowner. Building a house is a very complicated project with multiple people involved at different stages, and external issues like adverse weather impact the building process too, so having a few minor issues is sometimes unavoidable. Compiling a snagging list as soon as you can access the property, whether you do it by yourself or hire a professional, is an unavoidable step in the home-buying process.

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