New Build Snagging Checklist UK 2026 | Full Guide

Quick Answer

New builds average 140+ defects per home. Most are cosmetic (paint splatter, carpet creasing) but some indicate serious issues (water ingress, poor installation). You have 12 months from purchase to report defects to the developer (who must fix them under NHBC warranty). Hire a professional snagging surveyor (£400–£1,000) or use this checklist to inspect yourself pre-completion or immediately after.

Quick Answer

Why Snagging Matters

"Snagging" is identifying construction defects before they become your problem. The NHBC warranty requires defects be reported within 12 months of purchase. After month 12, they're your responsibility. This is particularly important when first moving into a new home and understanding your home systems. Before snagging, you should understand whether you actually need a traditional survey on a new build—the answer may surprise you.

Most defects are minor (paint marks, misaligned doors). Some are serious (water leaks, cracked brickwork). The difference between getting the developer to fix them and paying for repairs yourself: the deadline.

External Areas

Drives & Paths

What to check:

Surface is level (no obvious dips or high spots)
No cracks wider than 3mm
No crumbling or loose material
Proper drainage (water doesn't pool)
Paving/tarmac colour and finish consistent
Kerbing straight and properly set
No vegetation growing through surfaces
Edges properly finished (no protruding concrete)

Why it matters: Poor laying causes water pooling (foundation damage). Cracked surfaces indicate settling or poor materials.

Guttering & Downpipes

What to check:

Gutters securely fixed (no gaps or movement when pushed)
Joints properly sealed
Downpipes connected to gutters properly
No visible gaps between gutter and building
Pipes routed to drainage (not draining beside building)
No debris or visible damage
Paint finish clean (no splatter or drips)

Why it matters: Poor guttering causes water to run down walls (damp, foundation damage, structural issues).

Roof

Inspect from ground:

No missing or damaged tiles/slates
Roof lines appear straight (no sagging visible)
Flashing around chimneys, vents properly sealed
Ridge tiles properly set
No visible gaps or cracks

Don't attempt: Climbing onto roof or inspecting closely. You're looking for obvious defects from ground level.

Brickwork & External Walls

What to check:

Mortar joints consistent and filled
No cracks wider than 3mm in brickwork
No bulging or leaning sections
Paint finish even (no splatter, drips, or areas missed)
Windows and doors properly aligned (not twisted)
Flashing around windows/doors sealed
No signs of water staining or previous leaks

Garden & Boundaries

What to check:

Fencing/boundaries straight and secure
Gates open and close smoothly
Hinges and locks functional
Garden surface level (no major dips or slopes)
Soft landscaping (grass, plants) planted
Perimeter drainage working (no water pooling)

Windows & Doors (External)

Glazing

What to check:

No scratches on glass
No condensation or misting between panes (indicates seal failure)
Glass clean and free from smears (internal only—builders leave protective film)
No visible cracks
Proper fit in frames (no gaps or light visible around edges)

Why it matters: Misting indicates seal failure (expensive to replace). Cracks need replacement (safety hazard).

Frames & Seals

What to check:

Frames straight and level (close door—is it level?)
No visible warping or twisting
Sealant continuous and undamaged around frames
Sealant matches colour and finish
No gaps between frame and building
Paint finish clean (no splatter or drips)

Locks & Handles

What to check:

All locks work smoothly
Doors lock and unlock easily
Handles secure and not loose
Windows open and close smoothly
Locking mechanisms engaging properly

Internal - Kitchen

Tiling & Splashback

What to check:

No broken or chipped tiles
Tile lines straight and level
Grout clean and continuous (no gaps or missing grout)
Waterproofing around sink area (no gaps behind taps)
Caulk (sealant) where tiles meet walls is continuous

Fixtures & Appliances

What to check:

Flooring

What to check:

Tiles level (no lippage—height differences between adjacent tiles)
No cracked or broken tiles
Grout lines even and continuous
Hard flooring joints aligned
No gaps or movement underfoot
Skirting boards: Securely fixed and aligned
Skirting finish even (no splatter, damage)
No gaps between skirting and wall or floor

Internal - Bathrooms

Tiling & Waterproofing

What to check:

No broken or chipped tiles
Grout lines straight and continuous
Caulk around shower enclosure intact and continuous
No gaps in waterproofing around wet areas
Walls and corners properly sealed
Tiles firmly set (tap gently—shouldn't move)

Fixtures

What to check:

Ventilation

What to check:

Extractor fan operational (if fitted)
Air flows out (not into room)
Window opens (if present, as ventilation backup)

Internal - Bedrooms & Living Areas

Walls & Ceilings

What to check:

Paint finish even and clean
No splatter, drips, or missed areas
No visible cracks (distinguish cosmetic from structural)
Ceilings smooth and not sagging
No water stains or discolouration
Plaster finish even (no lumps, voids, rough patches)
Paint colour matches specification

Doors

What to check:

Doors open and close smoothly (not stiff or squeaking)
Doors close properly when pushed gently
Door frames straight and aligned
Hinges secure and functional
Locks (if fitted) work smoothly
Paint finish clean and even
No damage to door surfaces

Windows (Internal)

What to check:

Flooring

What to check:

Carpet seams aligned and secure (not lifting)
No creasing under doors (common snagging point)
Carpet colour consistent
Underlay intact (no wrinkles)
Hard flooring: Joints level and lippage minimal
Skirting boards secure and aligned

Electrical & Heating

What to check:

All light switches work
All sockets have power (test each one)
Radiators: Securely fixed, no leaks
Thermostatic valves (TRVs) functional
No cold patches on radiators (indicates air trapped)
Boiler: Pilot light visible or ignition functioning

Appliances (If Fitted)

What to check:

Dishwasher: Runs cycle and drains properly
Washing machine: Cycles complete, water drains
Fridge/freezer: Cools properly
Microwave (if fitted): Power and timer functional
Laundry dryer: Heats and moisture extracted
All controls responsive and functioning

Professional Snagging Survey vs. DIY

DIY Snagging (This Checklist)

Cost: Free (your time) Advantage: You inspect thoroughly Disadvantage: You might miss structural issues that professionals identify Timeline: 2–3 hours for average 3-bed property

Professional Snagging Survey

Cost: £400–£1,000 (depends on property size and location) Advantage: Professionals identify issues you'd miss; provides report with photos and prioritisation Disadvantage: Costs money (worth it if property is expensive) Timeline: 2–4 hour survey; 5–10 days for report delivery

Recommendation: For most properties, professional survey is worth the cost. They catch things you won't. If property is modest value, DIY checklist plus professional survey for "roof to foundations" is reasonable compromise.

Timing: When to Snag

Pre-Completion (Best Option)

Arrange vacant access 1–2 weeks before completion (coordinate with your completion day preparations)
Hire professional surveyor if using one (NHBC can recommend accredited surveyors)
Document all defects with photos and dates
Provide list to developer
Request pre-completion remediation or post-completion schedule

Immediately After Move-In (Still Good)

Complete snagging survey within first 2 weeks
Document with photos
Send list to developer in writing (email acceptable but keep copies)
You're still within 12-month reporting window

After One Month (Acceptable But Less Ideal)

Still within 12-month window
More work to coordinate repairs while settling in
But you're familiar with property by now

After 12 Months (Too Late)

Deadline has passed
Developer has no obligation to fix cosmetic defects
Structural defects covered by NHBC warranty but snagging usually requires defects reported within year

Developer Response Timeline

Typical developer process:

You provide snagging list (email or formal letter)
Developer acknowledges receipt (2–5 days)
Developer inspects and assesses (1–2 weeks)
Developer provides repair schedule (1–2 weeks)
Developer completes repairs (typically 2–4 weeks)
You inspect repaired items and sign off

Total process: 4–8 weeks typically

NHBC Warranty Coverage (Years 1–2)

All defects covered: Cosmetic, finish, structural, systems
Developer obligation: Must fix all identified defects (NHBC guidance)
If developer refuses: NHBC can force developer to complete (escalation process available)

The Emotional Reality

You're going to find defects. A lot of them. Paint splatters, misaligned doors, carpet creasing. This is normal. Builders employ hundreds of people and some defects are inevitable.

The point of snagging isn't to reject the property. It's to make sure the developer fixes their work before you hand over final payment. That's the entire purpose. Once you've moved in, first-month maintenance and understanding your home's systems take priority.

Don't feel bad reporting defects. Developers expect it. It's part of the process.

Quick Checklist Summary

Before completion or immediately after moving in:

Exterior (30 minutes):

Windows/Doors (20 minutes):

Glass not scratched or misted
Frames straight and sealed
Locks work

Kitchen (20 minutes):

Taps work and no leaks
Cooker/appliances function
Tiles/grout intact

Bathrooms (20 minutes):

Toilet flushes properly
Shower works and enclosure sealed
Taps functional

Bedrooms/Living (20 minutes):

Total time: ~2 hours for comprehensive DIY snagging

Professional snagging surveyors (£400–£1,000) provide comprehensive reports with photos, prioritisation, and professional assessment of defect severity. DIY inspection using this checklist saves money but you might miss subtle structural issues. For expensive properties, professional survey pays for itself if they catch serious defects. For modest properties, thorough DIY checklist is reasonable.

NHBC warranty (12-month from completion) covers builder defects—construction quality issues. Home insurance covers damage and loss once you own it. Both are separate: NHBC covers the developer's work; insurance covers your responsibility. File NHBC claims for defects within 12 months; insurance for everything else (break-ins, fires, accidents).

Within first 2 years, NHBC can escalate disputes. Within first 10 years, NHBC covers structural defects even if developer refuses. Document everything in writing (email acceptable but keep copies). If developer refuses, contact NHBC directly with your documentation. NHBC has legal authority to force remediation.

Cosmetic: paint splatter, carpet creasing, minor scratches. Structural: water ingress, cracks wider than 3mm, misaligned doors/windows beyond normal settlement, poor electrical/plumbing installation. Developers must fix cosmetic issues within warranty period. Structural issues may require longer remediation or professional assessment.

Yes, snagging can happen before completion or after you've moved in. Many developers prefer pre-completion remediation. If repairs must happen post-completion, you can negotiate access arrangements with the builder. Get written timescales for all scheduled repairs.

Related guides

Completion Day: What Actually Happens

First Month Maintenance Checklist

Getting to Know Your New Home