Snagging List for a New Build | Checklist

Buying a new build home can be an exciting experience, offering you the opportunity to create the perfect new home for yourself and your family. However, it's vital to ensure that your new build home isn’t plagued with defects, poor workmanship or issues that could affect your peace of mind as a homeowner. This is where a snagging list comes into play.

A snagging list, often referred to as a new build snagging list or home snagging, is a comprehensive list of all the issues, cosmetic or otherwise, that need to be addressed by the housebuilder before you move into your new property. When you're buying a new build property, it's essential to inspect your new build home thoroughly and create a snagging list to ensure your new home is up to the standard you expect.

The snagging process typically involves inspecting your new build home for any defects in paintwork, tiles, radiators, taps, and other fixtures and fittings. It's the builder's responsibility to rectify any issues found, and a professional snagging company can help make sure everything is finished to the highest standard. Common issues found during a snagging inspection include scratches, improperly fitted fixtures, and even more serious issues that may arise from failure to build in accordance with building regulations.

You may choose to make a snagging list yourself, which is often called a DIY snagging list, but it's a good idea to get a professional snagging survey from a reputable snagging company or chartered surveyors. New build snagging survey costs may vary, but it's a worthwhile investment to pick up on everything that could potentially be wrong with your new home. Snagging inspectors are experienced in identifying even the most minor defects in your new build property, ensuring that the list meets the requirements of warranty providers like the NHBC.

As a home buyer, it's crucial to complete a snagging list before the completion date of the sale of your new build property. While some housebuilders may argue that they are not legally obliged to fix cosmetic issues, it's unlikely they will refuse to fix serious defects that have been identified. Furthermore, creating a snagging list for your new build home can provide you with a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing that your new home is in the best possible condition.

Walls and Ceilings

1. Check if the plasterwork is even and neatly finished around sockets and pipework.
2. Are there any visible bumps, screw pops, or cracks larger than 10 pence thickness?
3. Do walls look straight and square?

Windows

1. Check for any damage or scratches on the frames, and ensure windows open and close properly.
2. Ensure trickle vents are present and functioning.
3. Inspect glass for any cracks, scratches, or paint.
4. Check locks and keys for windows with locks.
5. Ensure bedroom windows comply with building regulations for fire safety.
6. Ensure safety glass with a BS Kitemark is fitted in low-level windows.
7. Check for gaps between the frame and wall.

Floors

1. Check if floors are level and if screed is free from cracks.
2. Ensure edges are sealed to prevent draughts.
3. Check for creaking floorboards and ensure they are properly secured.

Doors and Door frames

1. Ensure all doors open and shut properly, are secure, and free from rattling.
2. Check if gaps between the door and its frame are even all around. Ensure locks, latches, hinges, and handles work properly and are free from paint.
3. Check for the presence of door stops and draught proofing.

Stairs

1. Check if the staircase is properly secured and handrails and spindles are secure and stable.
2. Check if the treads are level, spaced evenly, and free from damage. Ensure the handrail is at the correct height and there is adequate headroom.

Paintwork

1. Ensure all areas have been decorated and are free from blemishes, unsightly paint runs, and damage.
2. Check if all painted areas were properly prepped before paint was applied.
3. Ensure the underside of all window sills, architraves, and skirting boards are properly painted.

Pipework

1. Ensure all pipes are secure and free from leaks, and exposed pipes have been painted.
2. Check if walls have been made good where pipes enter and exit, and units cut neatly to allow access for pipework.
3. Ensure soil pipes and vent pipes are properly connected and all relevant pipework is adequately lagged.

Fixtures and Fittings

1. Check if all fixtures and fittings have been fitted correctly and are working properly. Ensure all relevant fixtures and fittings are clean and undamaged, and all cabinet/cupboard doors open and close properly.

Lighting

1. Ensure all lights work and are adequate, and wet area spotlights and light switches are compliant.
2. Check if there is under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen and if it works.
3. Ensure all light switches are fitted correctly and switch uniformly.

Heating

1. Check if the heating works, radiators have thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) fitted, and are fixed securely to the walls.
2. Ensure all radiators and their pipework are free from leaks, damage, chips, and paint splashes.
3. Check if the boiler has adequate clearance and if the wall around the boiler has been made good.
4. Ensure you have the relevant user manuals for all heating appliances and a gas safety certificate.

Plumbing

1. Ensure all taps work, the toilet flushes, and the washing machine and dishwasher are properly fitted and plumbed.
2. Ensure the stopcock is easily accessible and labelled, and there are no visible, unnecessary dead legs.
3. Ensure water tanks and pipework are properly insulated.

Electrical:

1. Are all electrical sockets functional?
2. Do all TV and phone sockets work properly?
3. Are all electrical sockets visually consistent?
4. Are all electrical sockets level and at the correct height relative to each other?
5. Is the fuse box correctly installed and labeled?
6. Are functional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed?
7. Is the heating thermostat correctly positioned and easily accessible?
8. Are fan isolators present and correctly installed in all bathrooms and toilets?
9. Do you have an electrical safety test certificate?

Appliances:

1. Are all supplied appliances in good working condition?
2. Are all necessary accessories, user manuals, and guarantees provided for each appliance?
3. Are all appliances correctly labeled with switched spurs and appropriate amp fuses?
4. Are all appliances free from damage, marks, chips, and paint splashes?

A snagging list is not compulsory for a buyer, and so if you want to have one then it will generally be down to you to make the arrangements and ensure that a list is compiled as part of any surveys you conduct. Having said that, it is not up to you to complete the survey and compile the list – unless you want to create your list free of external expenses.  As part of the snagging list, some of the items that we recommend you look out for are aesthetic and have to do with the final presentation and look of the property, while other elements are more structural and will require a professional eye. That’s why it is advised that you invest in the expertise of a third party, such as a Chartered Surveyor who is experienced in knowing what to look for and how to report it.

A DIY snagging list is perfectly possible and maybe something you are considering if you want to save on expenses – however, be aware that unless you know exactly what to look for and can recognise the signs of poor or rushed workmanship, there will likely be elements that you overlook or miss (especially if you are a first time buyer or if this is your first time buying new homes).

That’s why it is generally recommended that you work with a surveyor who can combine experience in viewing properties with their knowledge of building regulations and structural detailing – building a list of both the obvious things and those areas of the property that you may not have spotted but which could become more apparent later down the line.

In addition to seeking support if you’re not 100% confident in your ability to spot potential issues, it is worth getting advice on exactly what areas of the property to include in your snagging survey and overall report, to ensure that you don’t miss anything. This kind of snagging list template can save you time and extra investment later down the line, ensuring you cover every area of the property as part of the original snag list.

A snagging list is only possible on new build homes and is not something which can be effectively conducted on an existing property. This is because while a new home is still linked with the developer and building team until it is sold, an existing property is not directly linked to a development company and so there is nobody to hand a snagging list to if you do decide to compile a list of issues.

In terms of justifying the expense of a professional snagging company, the way to look at it is to identify any potential causes for concern or areas which need fixing or addressing now so that they do not become bigger problems later down the line. This is the best time to highlight any areas which you are not happy with, as the issue itself and the root cause can be identified and rectified before you buy the property, and it becomes solely your responsibility.

Typically, a new build snagging survey, if conducted by a third-party RICS Chartered Surveyor, will cost somewhere between £600 and £2000 depending on the size of the property. This affords you access to the knowledge and expertise of a snagging company that has compiled lists for other new builds and knows what to look for in relation to fitted features, structural components, aesthetic finishes, and more.

It is worth noting that a snagging survey is not exclusive to the inside of the property – a mistake that DIY buyers often make when completing their own snagging survey and compiling their own list. In fact, the majority of areas which tend to be outlined on new build snagging lists most often are those elements and components of the building which are outside, including walls and fences, gates, pipes, defects across the driveway, and exterior cosmetics.

With all that said, is a builder obliged to fix everything on your new build snagging survey? Well, the simplest answer is that it depends on everything from the fixes required to the builders themselves and how much responsibility they are prepared to take for an issue you highlight.

Generally, the house builder or building firm is liable for any fixes which otherwise render the property below the standard outlined in the warranty and in the marketing collateral for the house. You may find that some build areas and items on your snagging list are easier to pass off than others, so we recommend approaching your conversation with the builder with a little give and take in mind, and with an open mind to negotiation.

Finally, and if you’re ever in any doubt, don’t be afraid to seek advice from the experts be it the national house building council or your local chartered surveyor – both in terms of how best to approach the concept of a snagging list, and to check exactly what needs to be outlined and surveyed as part of that list.

If you would like to see a snagging list example report, please click here to download our example report.

In conclusion, snagging lists for new builds in London is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment for homebuyers. The process of creating a snagging list identifies any defects, cosmetic issues, or poor workmanship in a new build property, ensuring that the housebuilder addresses these problems before the homeowner moves in. By investing in a professional snagging survey, homebuyers can have peace of mind that their new home in London meets the highest standards and adheres to building regulations.

Furthermore, enlisting the services of a professional snagging company or surveyor helps to hold the housebuilder accountable for any necessary repairs, thus protecting the homeowner's investment. Considering the high property prices in London, a snagging list is a relatively small expense that can prevent potential future costs and inconvenience arising from unresolved issues.

Ultimately, a snagging list is a crucial tool for homebuyers to guarantee that their new build property in London is in excellent condition, providing confidence and security in their investment.

From as little as a few hundred pounds, our RICS chartered surveyors can inspect your new-build property, produce a list of issues that could cost thousands to repair and provide professional backing to ensure your builders live up to their legal obligations.
If you want to know more about snagging lists for new builds in London, our chartered surveyors will gladly provide further details over the phone. Contact us today on 020 3598 6730 with any questions, or get your free quote to take the first step towards securing your family’s future.