A new build snagging inspection is your best chance to get defects fixed on the developer's schedule rather than your own. Done well, it produces a clear, evidenced list that the site team can act on immediately. Done badly, it produces a vague document everyone argues about. Here is how to do it well.
Before you arrive
Preparation decides the quality of the inspection. Confirm access with the site team and agree how long you have. Bring the right kit: a charged phone or tablet, a torch for dark corners, a socket tester, a spirit level, masking tape for marking defects if the site allows it, and something to stand on for high-level checks.
If you are inspecting for a buyer, agree in advance whether the developer wants the list in a particular format. The easier you make it for them to work through, the faster items get fixed.
Work in a fixed order
Random wandering produces random results. Pick a route and follow it every time. A common approach is top to bottom, room by room, and within each room: ceiling, walls, windows, doors, floor, then fittings and services. A fixed order means you never leave a room wondering whether you checked the windows.
What to check in every room
- Ceilings and walls: cracks at joints, uneven plaster, paint defects, visible repairs.
- Windows: operation, locks, scratches on glass, seals, and draughts.
- Doors: smooth operation, even gaps, working latches and locks, no damage to faces or edges.
- Floors: level, secure, free of creaks, with consistent finishes and clean transitions between materials.
- Electrics: test sockets and switches, check faceplates sit flush, confirm lights work.
- Heating: radiators warm evenly, controls respond, no leaks at valves.
In kitchens and bathrooms, add taps, traps, silicone, tiling, and appliance operation to the list.
Record every defect properly
Each snag needs five things: a clear description, the exact location, a photo, a priority, and an owner. "Bedroom 2, north wall, 300mm crack at ceiling joint, photo attached" gets fixed. "Crack in bedroom" gets a phone call and a delay.
Photograph wide for context and close for detail. A close-up of a scratch means nothing if nobody can tell which window it is on.
Common traps to avoid
- Rushing because the site team is waiting. Book enough time and protect it.
- Inspecting in poor light. Dark rooms hide defects, so use your torch.
- Trusting that "it is on their list already". If it is not on your list, you cannot track it.
- Accepting verbal promises. Every agreed fix goes on the list with a date.
After the inspection
Issue the list quickly, ideally the same day, while the details are fresh and the programme still has room. Agree a re-inspection date before you leave site. When you return, check every item against the original list and only close what is genuinely resolved.
Digital tools make this loop dramatically faster. With SnagCore you can capture each defect with photos on your phone during the walk, and the report is ready to share before you reach the car park. Start your free trial before your next inspection.
A thorough inspection is not about being difficult. It is about handing over, or taking ownership of, a building that is genuinely finished.