Moving into a brand-new home should feel exciting: fresh paint, a shiny new kitchen, and a home that nobody else has lived in. But new doesn’t necessarily mean perfect. Small defects and unfinished details are common, which is where snagging comes in. Snagging is the simple act of walking through your new build and writing down every small defect, from a scratched window to a door that doesn’t close properly. This checklist takes you room by room so nothing gets missed, covers when to snag and whether to pay for a snagging survey, and explains how to report what you find so the builder puts it right.
What Is New Build Snagging?
A snag is any defect, fault or unfinished job in a brand new property. It can be purely cosmetic, like a paint run or a chipped tile, or functional, like a plug socket that doesn’t work. Snags are common in new homes and can range from minor cosmetic issues to defects that need prompt attention; the important thing is to identify and record them clearly so you can get them fixed.
Most new builds are covered by a structural warranty from the National House Building Council (NHBC) or an equivalent provider, and builders work to its published NHBC standards for how a home should be designed and constructed.
On top of that, all UK new home vendors have to have a defect liability period; this usually lasts for two years after completion date, during which time seller is obligated to fix any issues that emerge. While this two-year guideline may make it seem as though you’ve got ages to report issues, it’s a good idea to start snagging as soon as you move in, so that you can get problems fixed before you get used to them, or forget about them. For more on your rights, take a look at GOV.UK buying and owning a property guidance.
When to Do Your Snagging Check
Ideally, you’ll snag before completion day, while the house is empty and easy to inspect. Many developers hold a pre-handover inspection where you can walk the property with their site team and point out issues on the spot. Take your checklist and your camera, and give every room a proper look.
If you can’t get in before completion, don’t panic; there’s still time to snag once you’ve moved, and some problems might not even be clear until you’ve actually moved. Move in first, then carry out your full check within the first two weeks as most developers expect a snagging list to land shortly after handover. Some issues, like plaster cracks and doors that settle, only show up after a few weeks, so a second, lighter pass a month or two in is worth doing too.
A Room-by-Room Snagging Checklist
Work through the house one room at a time and photograph everything. Pay particular attention to:
Outside and Structure
• Cracked or chipped roof tiles, and any slipped or uneven ones visible from the ground;
• Gaps, cracks or unsealed joints around windows and doors, including outside the frames;
• Brickwork with cracked or loose mortar, and pointing that looks incomplete;
• Damp patches on external walls, or a driveway that’s cracked or settling;
• Chipped, uneven, or peeling exterior paintwork, rendering, or cladding.
Kitchen
• Cracked or chipped tiles, missing grout, or uneven sealant;
• Cabinet doors and drawers that stick, rub or sit unevenly;
• Worktop joints that aren’t flush, or chips or scratches on the surface;
• Sink that doesn’t drain properly, dripping tap, or a waste pipe that leaks underneath;
• Appliances that are uneven or don’t work.
Bathrooms
• Chips, cracks or lippage in tiles;
• No sealant or poor sealant around the bath, shower and basin;
• Dripping taps, a slow-draining plug hole, or a toilet that runs on;
• Shower that doesn’t heat properly, or a screen or door that doesn’t seal;
• Chips or scratches on the bath, basin and toilet,
• Cracked silicone joints.
• Towel rails and fittings that are loose, or siliconed instead of screwed in.
Bedrooms and Living Areas
• Doors that don’t close, or which catch on the frame, or stick at the hinges;
• Paint runs, missed patches, or scuffed or damaged plasterwork on walls and ceilings;
• Skirting boards or architraves with gaps, cracks or proud nail heads;
• Windows that are hard to open, don’t lock properly, or let in a draught;
• Uneven or squeaky floorboards, or laminate or carpet that is damaged or lifting;
• Internal doors that have been scratched, dented or fitted with gaps at the frame.
Electrics and Lighting
• Plug sockets and light switches that don’t work, feel loose, or sit crooked;
• Flickering lights, buzzing switches, or a consumer unit with tripped circuits;
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted and working in the right places;
• External and internal lights that are missing, damaged, or wired wrongly;
• Exposed or untidy cabling, or sockets that aren’t level with each other.
Heating and Ventilation
• Radiators with cold spots at the top or bottom;
• Heating that takes too long to warm up, or a boiler that makes unusual noises;
• Extractor fans that don’t work, or which rattle and are noisy when running;
• Condensation on windows and damp patches on walls in the first few weeks;
• Thermostats or radiator valves that don’t respond, or are fitted in odd positions;
Look for cracks, uneven plastering, or patchy paintwork. Run your hand along walls to feel for lumps or dips. If the finish looks rough throughout, it might be worth getting a second opinion from a painter or decorator or a plastering specialist on how big a job it would be to correct.
Should You Pay for a Professional Snagging Survey?
A professional snagging survey brings in a trained inspector who goes through the property room by room, inside and out, and produces a written report of every defect they find.
A professional inspector should know the common problem areas and can provide an independent written record of defects that may be easy to miss yourself; the final price will depend on property size and the depth of inspection you choose. A survey is most worth it on larger or more complex properties, where there is simply more to miss. It also makes sense if you’re not confident inspecting a house yourself, or if you’re buying off plan and want an independent record at handover.
How to Report Snags
The golden rule is to put everything in writing. Send your developer a clear, numbered snag list with a photo of each item and a note of which room it’s in. Quote your warranty and defect liability terms so everyone is clear about their obligations. A written list with dated photos gives both you and the developer a useful record of what was reported and when.
Be clear and specific about cosmetic snags as well as more significant defects, and distinguish between minor finishing issues and anything that could affect safety or the use of the home. At the same time, don’t let small items slide, since it is much easier to get everything fixed in one go than to chase items one at a time. Keep every email, photo and reply, and note the agreed date for each fix. If a fix is poor, say so and give them the chance to put it right.
Once your snagging list is done, the fixes themselves are often quick and simple.
For anything the developer will not cover, or for snags that show up later, find vetted local builders, qualified electricians or trusted local plumbers through TrustATrader. Every member is checked and every review is verified, so you can book work with confidence. And if you want more practical guidance before you start, the TrustATrader help and advice hub is full of free articles on home maintenance and improvement.