What Is A Snag List for New Builds?

Ideally, a new build would be completely perfect in every way. In some cases, this ideal actually corresponds with the reality of moving in to new build homes. Much of the time, however, there will be a few minor issues that need to be addressed by the builder. In some cases, there will be major ones.

Builders are only human, and so the occasional mistake is to be expected. Moreover, some problems won’t manifest until months, or even years after the sale has gone through to completion – meaning that even a perfectly diligent builder won’t have noticed them.

What matters is that those mistakes are rectified. 

As the homeowner, it’s your responsibility to notice and report any defects after you’ve moved in. You’ll write these down on a special list, called a ‘snag’ list. This list will allow builders to address any defects before the end of the warranty period.

Snagging Surveys

You might look to outsource your snag-surveying duties to an expert. This is the job of a professional surveyor. You might expect to pay several hundred pounds for an exhaustive survey. For some homeowners, this will be an expense too far. For others, it will be a worthwhile investment. There are potentially hundreds of things that can go wrong in a new property, and if you take the DIY approach, you might miss them. This could end up costing you more than the survey would have.

Problems to look for

The first thing to consider is the quality of the plasterwork. Can you see any obvious bumps or cracks? Look for details around sockets and pipework, which can be slightly fiddly to plaster.

Next, you’ll want to check doors and windows. Make sure that there are no gaps between the frames and the walls, and that there are no scratches on the glass. In the case of double-glazing, you’ll want to look out for condensation building up between the panels. This indicates that the seal has broken, and that the unit is defective.

Check that all the lights work, and that the pipework is secure and free from leaks. Check that radiators are securely fastened to the walls, and that there’s enough clearance around the edges of the boiler.

What if the builder won’t fix the problems?

If your builder isn’t inclined to fix the snags you’ve identified, then it might be time to talk to the warranty provider – or to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If you’ve got a promise in writing that all defects will be addressed, then you might find it easier to cope with disputes further down the line. Of course, it’s only possible to secure such a promise if you get it in advance of the sale.