What a Snagging Survey Covers
A room-by-room, outside-in inspection of your new-build home against warranty standards and good workmanship — every defect, unfinished item and poor finish documented with photos in a report your developer can act on.
Externals
Brickwork, roofline, pointing, rainwater goods, driveways, garden levels and boundary works.
Internal finishes
Plaster, paintwork, joinery, doors and windows, sealant lines, tiling and flooring quality.
Function checks
Doors, windows, locks and fittings operated; visible plumbing and fixtures checked for leaks and alignment.
The report
A photographic snag list, itemised for your developer — the evidence that gets defects fixed under warranty.
When to Book: Before Completion vs After Moving In
PATH A · BEST CASE
Before completion
If your developer allows access, an inspection before legal completion means snags are fixed before you move in — and before your leverage drops.
- Defects fixed while the site team is still on site
- Strongest negotiating position
- No living around the remedial work
PATH B · STILL WELL WORTH IT
Safety testing
Most developers don’t allow pre-completion access — booking shortly after completion still puts every defect on record inside your warranty window.
- Best booked in the first weeks after completion
- Defects documented before they’re “wear and tear”
- Report submitted to the developer under warranty
Your 2-Year Builder
Warranty Window
For the first two years after completion, your developer is responsible for fixing defects under your new-build warranty. After that, only major structural issues are typically covered.
A professional snag list submitted inside that window is the difference between the developer fixing defects at their cost — or you fixing them at yours.
Common Defects We Report On
- Poor paint & plaster finishes
- Misaligned doors & windows
- Failed or missing sealant
- Scratched glazing & sanitaryware
- Incomplete brickwork & pointing
- Plumbing leaks & drainage issues
- Poor garden levels & drainage
- Unfinished snag-list items
Snagging Survey Cost
A snagging survey starts from £345, depending on the size of the property. Set against the £3,600 average cost of missed defects, it’s the cheapest insurance a new-build owner can buy. Get in contact with the property address and we’ll confirm your price.
How Your Snagging Survey Works
Get in contact
Send the property address and completion date — we’ll confirm your price and the best timing.
Inspection
A room-by-room, outside-in inspection of the whole property against warranty standards.
Your snag list
A photographic, itemised report ready to submit to your developer.
Discuss your findings
Talk the report through with us and get guidance on submitting it under your warranty.
FAQs
When is the best time to get a snagging survey?
Before legal completion if your developer allows access; otherwise as soon as possible after moving in, well inside your two-year builder warranty window.
How much does a snagging survey cost?
From £345, depending on the size of the property. Get in contact with the address and we’ll confirm your exact price.
Do developers have to fix the snags you find?
Defects reported inside your builder warranty period are the developer’s responsibility to put right. An itemised, photographic report makes that process far harder to dispute or delay.
Can I do the snagging myself?
You’ll spot the obvious cosmetic issues — a professional inspection checks against workmanship standards and finds the defects that aren’t visible to an untrained eye, which are usually the expensive ones.
What if I've already been in the house a year?
You’re still inside the two-year warranty window — book sooner rather than later so defects are on record before the window closes.