New Build Snagging: Essential Inspection Guide for New Homeowners
Buying a new build property in Farnborough or the surrounding areas comes with modern warranties and guarantees, but that doesn't mean these homes are perfect. Professional snagging inspections by RICS chartered surveyors identify defects before you complete your purchase. As experienced Farnborough surveyors, we help new homeowners ensure their property meets acceptable standards from day one.
What Is Snagging?
Snagging refers to identifying minor defects, incomplete work, and quality issues in newly built properties. The term comes from construction industry jargon for small problems that "snag" the completion process. While most issues are minor, some can be significant.
Our chartered building surveyors conduct professional snagging inspections, producing comprehensive lists of defects for developers to rectify before handover. This protects your investment and ensures you move into a properly finished home.
Why New Builds Need Snagging Inspections
Many first-time buyers assume new properties are perfect and don't need surveying. This is a costly mistake. Modern construction timelines are tight, and builders rush to complete developments. Common issues include:
- Cosmetic defects like poor paintwork or scratched fittings
- Incomplete finishing touches
- Poorly fitted doors and windows
- Plumbing and heating problems
- Electrical installation defects
- Drainage issues
- Poor quality control on finishes
While new homes come with NHBC warranties or similar protection, these don't cover everything. Getting defects fixed before completion is far easier than afterwards. Our surveyors in Farnborough have extensive knowledge identifying these issues across Hampshire and Surrey developments.
Common Snagging Issues Found
Through years of property surveying on new developments throughout Farnborough and the surrounding areas, our RICS accredited surveyors regularly find these problems:
Cosmetic and Finishing Defects
While not structurally serious, poor finishes detract from your new home's appearance:
- Uneven or patchy paintwork on walls and woodwork
- Scratched or damaged kitchen units and worktops
- Chipped tiles in bathrooms and kitchens
- Poor silicone application around baths and sinks
- Damaged or poorly fitted skirting boards
- Scratched windows or mirrors
- Carpet fitting issues and damages
Doors and Windows
Proper door and window operation is essential:
- Doors not closing properly or catching on frames
- Poor alignment causing draughts
- Missing or damaged door furniture
- Windows that don't open, close, or lock properly
- Condensation between double glazing panes
- Gaps around window frames
Plumbing Issues
Plumbing problems should be addressed immediately:
- Leaking taps, pipes, or radiators
- Incorrectly installed toilets or basins
- Poor water pressure
- Noisy plumbing
- Inadequate heating in some rooms
- Thermostat or heating control problems
Electrical Defects
All new homes require electrical certification, but our chartered building surveyors often find:
- Non-functioning sockets or switches
- Poorly positioned light fittings
- Incomplete electrical connections
- Missing covers on sockets or switches
- Incorrect wiring of smart home systems
External Issues
Don't forget the property exterior:
- Uneven or poorly laid driveways and paths
- Drainage problems causing water pooling
- Gaps in external brickwork or render
- Poor quality external doors
- Incomplete landscaping or turfing
- Fence panels not properly secured
When to Arrange Your Snagging Inspection
Timing is critical for maximum benefit. Our Farnborough surveyors recommend two inspection stages:
Pre-Completion Inspection
The ideal time is 7-14 days before your completion date. At this stage:
- The property is essentially finished
- You have legal right of access for inspection
- There's time for the developer to fix issues before handover
- You maintain leverage – you haven't yet paid in full
Developers are motivated to address problems identified before completion. Once you've taken ownership, getting them back to fix issues becomes harder.
Post-Completion Inspection
If you didn't arrange pre-completion inspection, don't despair. Our surveyors conduct post-completion inspections within the first few weeks of ownership. This documents defects while they're still covered by initial warranties. However, developers are less motivated to rectify problems quickly once you've completed.
The Snagging Inspection Process
Understanding what happens during a professional snagging inspection helps you prepare:
Booking Your Inspection
Contact our RICS chartered surveyors as soon as you have a completion date. We'll coordinate with your developer to arrange suitable access. Costs vary based on property size but are typically £300-£600 for standard residential properties in Farnborough and the surrounding areas.
On-Site Inspection
Our qualified chartered surveyor spends 2-4 hours thoroughly examining your new home, checking:
Every Room Systematically:
- Walls, ceilings, and floors for finish quality
- All doors and windows for operation and fit
- Electrical fittings and functionality
- Plumbing and heating systems
- Kitchen and bathroom installations
- Built-in wardrobes and storage
External Areas:
- Roof and guttering (visible elements)
- External walls and render
- Windows and doors from outside
- Driveways, paths, and boundaries
- Gardens and landscaping
- Drainage systems
We photograph every defect found, creating a visual record supporting your claim for remediation.
The Snagging Report
Within 3-5 working days, you receive a comprehensive detailed report listing all defects categorized by severity and location. Our reports typically identify 50-150 issues on new builds – this is normal! Most are minor cosmetic items, but some may be more significant.
The report format makes it easy for you to work through items with your developer, ticking off each as it's resolved.
What Happens After the Snagging Report?
Armed with your professional snagging report from our chartered building surveyors and construction consultants, follow these steps:
1. Submit Report to Developer
Provide the complete report to your developer's customer care team. Reputable developers expect snagging lists and have processes to address them.
2. Agree Timescales
Negotiate reasonable timescales for fixes. Some developers address issues before completion; others schedule remedial visits after you move in. Urgent items (plumbing leaks, heating problems, security issues) should be prioritized.
3. Monitor Progress
Keep detailed records of what's been fixed and what remains outstanding. Take photographs of remedial work to evidence completion.
4. Final Inspection
Once the developer claims all items are resolved, conduct a final check. Some clients engage our surveyors for follow-up inspections ensuring compliance with agreed remedial works.
5. Escalate If Necessary
If developers won't address legitimate issues, escalation options include:
- Complaint to the developer's senior management
- Contact the warranty provider (NHBC, LABC, etc.)
- Involve your solicitor
- In extreme cases, legal action for breach of contract
Understanding New Build Warranties
Most new homes in Farnborough and surrounding areas come with structural warranties, typically from NHBC (National House Building Council) or similar providers. Understanding warranty coverage is important:
NHBC Buildmark Warranty
The standard warranty for new homes provides:
- Years 1-2: Builder's warranty covering defects in workmanship and materials
- Years 3-10: NHBC insurance covering major structural defects
Note that cosmetic issues and minor defects may not be covered after the initial two-year period. This is why identifying everything during the first weeks is crucial.
Alternative Warranties
Other warranty providers include Premier Guarantee, LABC Warranty, and NHBC Solo for self-builds. Coverage varies, so our surveyors provide advice on your specific warranty terms.
Snagging vs. Building Survey
Some buyers wonder whether they need both snagging inspection and a traditional building survey. Here's the distinction:
Snagging Inspection:
- Focuses on finish quality and workmanship
- Identifies defects for developer remediation
- Assumes structure is sound (covered by warranties)
- Relatively quick and cost-effective
Full Building Survey:
- Comprehensive structural assessment
- Evaluates construction methods and materials
- Identifies defects and provides maintenance advice
- More detailed and technical
For standard new builds, snagging inspections usually suffice. However, for unusual new builds, complex designs, or if you're particularly concerned about construction quality, our RICS chartered surveyors can conduct comprehensive surveys applying full building survey standards to new properties.
Self-Build and Custom Build Properties
If you're building your own home or using custom build services, snagging inspection is even more critical. Without major developer backing, identifying defects early protects your significant investment.
Our chartered building surveyors offer project management services for self-builds, including:
- Stage-by-stage inspections during construction
- Building regulations compliance monitoring
- Final snagging before architect's certification
- Liaison with contractors and trades
This comprehensive service ensures your self-build meets expectations from foundation to final finishes.
New Build Developments in Farnborough
Farnborough and the surrounding areas in Hampshire and Surrey have seen substantial new development in recent years. Our surveyors have extensive knowledge of local developments including those in Guildford, Woking, Fleet, and Aldershot.
We've conducted snagging inspections across most major developments in the region and understand which builders maintain high standards and which require more rigorous oversight. This local experience proves invaluable during inspections.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Some buyers hesitate to pay for snagging inspections after already spending on surveys for mortgage purposes. Consider the benefits:
Professional Inspection Costs: £300-£600
Value Delivered:
- Identification of 50-150 defects the average buyer would miss
- Leverage to get £2,000-£5,000 worth of remedial work done by the developer
- Peace of mind knowing your new home has been professionally checked
- Documented baseline if future warranty claims are needed
- Professional credibility when dealing with developers
The return on investment is substantial. Our property surveying services consistently deliver value far exceeding the inspection fee.
DIY Snagging: Is It Possible?
You can conduct your own snagging inspection using checklists available online. However, professional inspections by RICS accredited surveyors offer significant advantages:
- Experience: We know what to look for and spot issues untrained eyes miss
- Technical Knowledge: Understanding building standards and regulations informs our assessments
- Objectivity: Emotional investment in your new home can cloud judgment; we provide impartial assessment
- Professional Documentation: Our reports carry more weight with developers than DIY lists
- Efficiency: We complete thorough inspections in hours; DIY approaches take days and may miss items
If budget is very tight, conduct your own inspection using a comprehensive checklist, then engage our surveyors offer guidance on anything you're uncertain about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a snagging report delay my completion?
If inspected 7-14 days before completion, you have time for the developer to address critical issues without delaying your move. For minor cosmetic items, completion usually proceeds with agreements to fix them afterwards. Our Farnborough surveyors advise on appropriate timescales.
Do all new builds have lots of snags?
Most new properties have some defects – it's almost impossible to complete large construction projects with absolute perfection. Quality builders have fewer and less serious issues. Our experience across residential properties in Hampshire and Surrey shows well-managed developments typically have 30-60 items, while poorly managed projects can have 100+.
Will developers be annoyed by a professional snagging report?
Reputable developers expect professional inspections and have systems to address them. They'd rather fix issues properly than face warranty claims later. Only poor-quality developers object to professional scrutiny – which is precisely when you need it most!
Can I refuse to complete if major snags are found?
This depends on your contract terms. Typically, only fundamental defects rendering the property uninhabitable justify refusing completion. For other issues, proceed with completion but document everything carefully. Our surveyors provide advice on severity and appropriate courses of action.
How long do developers have to fix snagging items?
There's no legal requirement, but reputable developers aim to address issues within 30-90 days of notification. Urgent problems (affecting health, safety, or security) should be fixed immediately. Our detailed report categorizes items by priority helping you negotiate reasonable timescales.
Case Study: New Build Snagging in Farnborough
Recently, we conducted snagging inspection on a 4-bedroom detached house in a major Farnborough development. The property appeared immaculate at first glance, but our thorough inspection identified 87 defects including:
- Poorly fitted bathroom tiles with inconsistent grouting
- Multiple door locks not operating correctly
- Uneven external rendering in several areas
- Incomplete electrical connections in the garage
- Scratched kitchen worktop
- Drainage issue causing puddling on the driveway
- Missing loft insulation in one corner
The developer addressed all items within six weeks. Without professional inspection, the buyers would have discovered these issues gradually, facing the hassle of multiple remedial visits and potential arguments about responsibility. The £495 inspection fee delivered tremendous value.
Booking Your Snagging Inspection
If you're buying a new build property in Farnborough, Guildford, Woking, or anywhere across Hampshire and Surrey, contact our team of RICS chartered surveyors:
- Early Contact: Reach out as soon as you have an estimated completion date
- Schedule Inspection: We'll coordinate access with your developer
- Professional Assessment: Our experienced surveyors thoroughly examine your new home
- Detailed Report: You receive comprehensive documentation of all defects
- Ongoing Support: We're available to answer questions as you work through the snagging list
Our professional firm of chartered building surveyors brings decades of experience to new build inspections across the region. As building surveyors and construction consultants working from offices in Farnborough, we're ideally positioned to serve local buyers.
Book a professional snagging inspection with our RICS chartered surveyors and ensure your new home meets proper standards. Book Your Snagging Inspection