SNAGGING SURVEY
New-build properties often come with defects that developers are legally obliged to fix. A snagging survey identifies them before they become your problem.
Buying a new build?
What We Look For
Our surveyors inspect every accessible area of the property with an eye for detail, covering both structural and cosmetic defects throughout.
Quality of Finish
Poor plastering, uneven paintwork, badly fitted joinery, scratched glass and other cosmetic defects that fall below the standard a buyer is entitled to expect.
Water Ingress and Damp
Evidence of leaks, damp penetration or inadequate waterproofing in roofs, walls, windows, wet rooms and below-ground areas.
Services and Installations
Incomplete or incorrectly installed electrical fittings, plumbing, heating systems, ventilation and drainage, including testing of switches, sockets and outlets.
Doors, Windows and Joinery
Poorly fitting doors and windows, defective handles or locks, misaligned frames, gaps in seals and any draught or weather-tightness issues.
Structural and Building Fabric
Cracks in walls, ceilings or floors, inadequate insulation, defective fire stopping, and any structural elements not built in accordance with the drawings or specification.
External Areas
Defects to external walls, roofs, balconies, terraces, communal areas and landscaping, including drainage and surface water management.
A snagging survey is a detailed inspection of a newly built or recently refurbished property, carried out to identify defects, unfinished work and poor quality of finish that the developer or contractor is responsible for rectifying. Developers have a legal obligation to remedy genuine snagging issues, but they will not always volunteer to do so. An independent report gives you the evidence you need to hold them to account.
We recommend commissioning a snagging survey before you legally complete on a new-build, or as early as possible within the defects liability period. The sooner defects are identified and reported, the more leverage you have with the developer.
When to Commission and What Happens Next
Timing matters. The earlier you instruct us, the stronger your position with the developer.
Before Legal Completion
The ideal time to snag is before you legally complete, giving you maximum leverage to insist on remedial works before you take ownership.
Inspection Carried Out
Our surveyor visits the property and carries out a thorough room-by-room inspection, recording all defects with annotated photographs.
Report Delivered
You receive a clear, easy-to-follow snagging report listing every defect identified, with photographs and descriptions the developer can act on directly.
Developer Remediation
You present the report to the developer and formally request remediation. The report gives you a documented basis to hold them accountable.
If you have already completed and moved in, you can still commission a snagging survey within the defects liability period, which is typically two years from legal completion on a new-build. We can also carry out follow-up inspections to confirm defects have been properly remedied.
Other Survey Types
Browse our full range of survey types to find the right report for your property and situation.
Home Survey Level 3
Our most thorough report for older, larger or more complex properties. Includes indicative repair costs as standard.
Find out more
Home Survey Level 2
A clear, cost-effective assessment for modern or well-maintained properties in reasonable condition.
Find out more
Pre-Auction Survey
A condition assessment carried out before you bid at auction, giving you clarity before the hammer falls.
Find out more
Defect Survey
A targeted inspection identifying the cause, extent and remedy of a specific defect without the cost of a full survey.
Find out morebook a snagging survey
We cover new-build and recently refurbished properties across London.
Fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch to confirm availability and provide a quote.