New Build Snagging Checklist: What to Inspect Before Completion
A room-by-room snagging checklist for a new-build home in the UK, how to report defects, what snags are typical and when to bring in a professional snagger.
Snagging means finding and recording the defects, big and small, in a newly built home so the builder can fix them. Even well-built new homes have snags: scratched worktops, poorly fitted doors, uneven paint, unfinished sealant. The goal is to spot them early, document them clearly and get them put right while the builder still has an obligation and a warranty period running.
When to snag
- Before completion: Ideally at the pre-completion inspection, when you can ask for items to be fixed before you move in.
- After moving in: Many builders have a defect reporting period, commonly the first two years under warranty schemes, with the first months for cosmetic items. Check your documents for the exact terms.
Do not be pressured into signing off. Note everything and ask for dates for repairs.
How to prepare
- Go in daylight, with a torch.
- Take a tape measure, a small spirit level, a phone, painter's tape and a notepad or snag app.
- Bring someone with a fresh pair of eyes.
- Take photos of every defect, with a coin or ruler for scale.
- Number your snags and keep a list in a spreadsheet or document.
Room-by-room checks
Outside
- Brickwork and pointing: gaps, stains, mismatched bricks
- Roof lines and tiles, from the ground
- Gutters, downpipes and drainage
- Driveway and paths: cracks, falls and drainage
- Fences, gates and boundaries
- External taps, sockets and lights
Doors and windows
- Open and close each one, check locks and handles
- Look at seals, gaps and scratched glass
- Check trickle vents work
Walls, ceilings and floors
- Run a torch along walls at an angle to show dents, ridges and poorly filled joints
- Check for cracks, nail pops and paint splashes
- Floors: levelness, squeaks, gaps, damage
- Skirting and architraves: gaps and poor mitres
Kitchen
- Doors and drawers: alignment and opening
- Worktops: chips, joints and sealing
- Appliances: switch on, check they work
- Taps and waste: run water and look underneath for leaks
Bathrooms
- Seals around baths, basins and showers
- Tiling: even grout, cracked tiles, falls
- Test toilets, taps, shower pressure and drainage
- Extractor fans: do they run and vent outside?
Heating, electrics and plumbing
- Boiler, controls and radiators: are they working?
- Every socket and switch, with a socket tester
- Consumer unit labelling and certificates
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Paperwork to collect
- Building regulations completion certificate
- Gas, electrical and heating certificates
- Warranty documents and a copy of the defect procedure
- Manuals and guarantees for appliances
- Energy performance certificate
Reporting snags
- Send the list in writing, with photos and locations.
- Ask for a response date, and a repair schedule.
- Keep a log of any contact.
- Re-inspect after works.
- Escalate in writing through the builder's customer care process and warranty provider if there are delays.
DIY or professional snagger?
A professional snagger or surveyor is trained to spot defects and can produce a report that carries weight. Costs vary by home size and region. For a large or expensive property, many buyers consider it worth paying. For smaller homes, a careful checklist can do much of the job.
Common snags to expect
Paint finishes, gaps in sealant, doors that rub, tiles that need regrouting, drips from taps and settling cracks in plaster. Cracks wider than a hairline, sloping floors, damp or water ingress are more serious and should be reported at once.
New homes also dry out in the first year, which can cause shrinkage cracks and condensation. See ventilation at home and our condensation guide.
If you want help with finishing work after the builder's repairs, you can search on Compito, compare ID-verified local providers and send a request.
A worked example: a three-bed new build
A buyer attends the pre-completion inspection with a torch, a small level, a plug-in socket tester and a notepad. They find a scratched bathroom tile, a bedroom door that rubs, a missing sealant bead at the kitchen window and a socket that is not wired correctly. They photograph each, record it with the room name and send the list the same day. The builder agrees to fix the electrical fault before completion and schedules the cosmetic items for the following fortnight. Having a numbered list with photos prevented arguments about what had been reported.
A short priority guide
| Priority | Examples | How to treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent safety | Exposed wiring, missing alarms, no working heating, leaks | Report immediately; do not use the affected item |
| Important | Doors not locking, water running poorly, damp patches | Report in writing and ask for a date |
| Cosmetic | Paint marks, small scratches, uneven grout | Add to the list and re-check after repairs |
Questions to ask the developer
- What is the process and timescale for fixing defects?
- Who is the named contact for aftercare?
- What is covered under the warranty and for how long?
- Will repair visits be arranged in working hours, and who must be home?
Keep your own record
Take dated photographs of every room on the day you move in, before furniture arrives. Keep copies of all messages. If you later raise a more serious issue, it helps to show it was not caused by you.
Who to turn to if you are stuck
If the builder is unresponsive, check the warranty provider's complaints process and the developer's membership of any redress scheme. Citizens Advice can explain consumer rights for new homes, and a solicitor can advise on contractual matters.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refuse to complete if there are snags?
That depends on your contract and the seriousness of the defects. Take legal advice from your solicitor before refusing to complete.
How long does the builder have to fix snags?
It depends on the contract and warranty. Many give an initial period for cosmetic issues and a longer period for structural ones. Check your paperwork.
What is the difference between snags and defects?
Snags are usually minor finishing issues. Defects can be more serious, including structural or water problems. Both should be reported.