After enough inspections, you realise new build snags are not random. The same defects appear in the same places on project after project. This guide walks through a typical home room by room and lists what to check, so your next inspection misses nothing.
Hallway and stairs
The entrance takes the most abuse during the build and shows it. Check walls and woodwork for scuffs and dents from materials being carried through. Test every stair tread for creaks and movement, and check spindles and handrails are secure with consistent paint coverage. Look at the front door: it should close and lock smoothly, seal evenly, and have undamaged glass and furniture.
Living areas
Check walls and ceilings in raking light for uneven plaster, cracks at joints, and paint defects. Test every window for smooth operation, working locks, and scratched glass, which is one of the most common and most disputed new build snags. Walk the whole floor feeling for movement and listening for creaks, and check transitions between floor finishes. Test every socket and switch.
Kitchen
Kitchens concentrate expensive items in a small space, so inspect slowly:
- Units: door and drawer alignment, soft-close operation, secure handles, undamaged fronts.
- Worktops: flush and sealed joints, no scratches or chips, level run.
- Sink and taps: full flow, hot and cold correct, no leaks at the trap below.
- Appliances: fitted level, powered, and actually run through a cycle where possible.
- Tiling and splashback: consistent grout, no lippage, no cracked tiles.
Bathrooms and en-suites
Bathrooms generate more snags per square metre than any other room. Run every tap and the shower, and check the trap and waste connections below for weeping. Flush every toilet and check it refills and stops. Inspect all silicone: it should be continuous, smooth, and mould-free. Check tiles for cracks, lippage, and hollow sounds when tapped. Confirm the extract fan runs and the shower screen seals properly. Look behind the door, where damage hides.
Bedrooms
The checks are simpler but the standards are the same: walls and ceilings, windows and their locks, doors that latch without force, sockets and lights, and floors free of creaks. Check fitted wardrobes for alignment and smooth running. Look carefully at reveals and corners, where decoration quality often slips.
Heating and services
Wherever you are in the house, keep an eye on the systems. Every radiator should warm evenly across its surface. Thermostats and programmers should respond. The consumer unit should be labeled correctly, and smoke and heat alarms should be fitted, powered, and tested.
Externals
Finish outside. Check brickwork and render for damage and consistent pointing, windows and doors from outside for sealant and finish, and gutters and downpipes for secure fixing and leaking joints. Confirm paving is level, gullies are clear, and ground falls away from the walls.
Record as you go
Finding defects is only half the job; recording them well is what gets them fixed. Capture each one with a photo, an exact location, and a clear description. SnagCore lets you log every item on your phone as you walk, so the report is done when the inspection is. Try it free.
Patterns are your friend. Learn where snags hide, and every inspection gets faster and more thorough.