Snagging in the process of identifying and rectifying defects or issues in a newly built property just before or shortly after it is officially completed and handed over to the owner. It is a proactive measure to ensure your new home is in the best possible condition before or shortly after you take possession.

A snagging inspection is important for several reasons:

1. Identifying Defects: New constructions can have serious defects, including cosmetic issues, structural problems or incomplete work. A snagging inspection helps to identify these issues before or shortly after you move in, ensuring that they can be addressed by the builder.
2. Quality Assurance: Even reputable builders can have oversight issues. A snagging inspection ensures that the property meets quality standards and that all work has been completed to a satisfactory level.
3. Protect Your Investment: A new build is a significant financial investment. Identifying and rectifying issues early can save you from more extensive repairs and costs down the line.
4. Builder Accountability: A snagging inspection holds the builder accountable for their work. It provides a documented list of defects that can be presented to the builder for rectification, ensuring that they fulfil their obligations.
5. Safety Concerns: Some defects may pose safety risks, such as electrical issues or structural concerns. An inspection can help identify these hazards, ensuring a safe living environment.
6. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your new build home has been thoroughly inspected can provide peace of mind, allowing you to move in with confidence knowing that everything is as it should be.
7. Warranty Compliance: Many builders offer warranties on new homes. Identifying and documenting defects during a snagging inspection can be crucial for any warranty claims in the future. The snagging report acts as a formal document that can help you raise concerns and claim warranty protections.

You should book a new build snagging inspection at the following key stages:

1. Pre-Handover Inspection: This should be scheduled around a week before the official handover of the property. The further in advance of the official handover the inspection is booked, the more time the builder has to rectify the issues of concern.
2. After Practical completion: If your builder indicates that the property is practically complete, it’s a good time to arrange a snagging inspection. This is when the structure is finished but minor details may still need attention.
3. Before you move in: Its best to conduct the snagging inspection prior to moving your belongings into your new home, this way issues can be addressed without any complications of furniture and personal items in the way. However, we are aware that this is not always possible, which is why we also offer post-completions inspection.
4. During the warranty period: If you missed the opportunity for a snagging inspection prior to moving in, you can still conduct one during the warranty period to identify any defects that have arisen.

By scheduling the snagging inspection at these times, you can ensure that any necessary repairs or corrections are made before you fully settle into your new home.

Our snagging report includes a detailed list of the snags identified, full descriptions, photographs of each issue and recommendations for their repair. It’s an essential document for communicating with builders or contractors. For a detailed list of what we inspect during our snagging inspection please see “What is included in our inspection” section.

The duration of the inspection depends on the size and complexity of the property, but most surveys take between 2-5 hours.

At SD Snagging we only identify true snags that are the builder’s responsibility to address. Should you find it bewildering or difficult to deal with your builder, we also offer a liaison service which allows us to deal directly with the builder, on your behalf, to arrange satisfactory repair of the snags raised.

If there are any issues identified that are outside of the responsibility of your builder, we will highlight these within our report for you. If you would like these rectifying, then our sister company SD Maintenance can provide expert services to address https://staging-links.com/sd-maintenance/v1/

While it’s not necessary for you to be present, we recommend it if possible. It allows you to ask questions directly and gain a better understanding of the findings.

The cost of a snagging inspection depends on the size of the property. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees, ensuring you get excellent value for the thorough service we provide. Please see our pricing page for details.

While you can attempt to do a basic inspection, snagging inspections require expert knowledge to identify all defects and compliance issues. Our team uses their extensive knowledge and advanced tools to provide a comprehensive, professional assessment.

After the inspection, we will provide you with a detailed report, including all identified snags, photographic evidence and recommendations for their repair, within 24 hours after the inspection. We also offer a liaison service which allows us to deal directly with the builder, on your behalf, to arrange the repair of all snags raised. In addition, a reinspection can be instructed to ensure that these repairs have been carried out to the correct quality standards.

We aim to forward your comprehensive report, detailing all identified snags and backed up by photographic evidence within 24 hours after the inspection.  Should this not be possible due to unforeseen circumstances, we will contact you and have the report forwarded to you as soon as possible.

After you have reviewed the report, you can discuss these with your builder and agree a timeframe for their rectification. If you would like us to arrange the rectification of the snags with your builder on your behalf, then you can use our liaison service. 

Following the rectification of these issues, you can then book a reinspection. This allows us to ensure that all the previously identified snags have be rectified to the correct standards.

You can cancel or rearrange your appointment up to 48 hours before the inspection day without charge.  Cancelling or rescheduling appointments within 48 hours of the inspection day and time, may incur an administration fee of £50.