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Snagging Guide

The complete UK new build snagging checklist

A room-by-room inspection guide for new build homeowners - backed by a free app that turns your checklist into a structured, photo-evidenced record your developer can act on.

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Room-by-room coverage Photo evidence built-in Free for one property
The complete UK new build snagging checklist
What to Inspect

Room-by-room: what to check on a new build

A high-level snapshot of the most common defect categories. Use Defectly to record each item as you walk through your property.

External & Roof

Roof tile alignment, guttering, downpipes, external wall finishes, rendering, brickwork pointing, driveway level, fence and gate condition.

Doors & Windows

Doors closing flush, hinges and handles secure, window seals airtight, frames level, locks operating smoothly, draught-free fit.

Walls & Ceilings

Plaster smoothness, paint coverage, no cracks at junctions, skirting board fit, architrave alignment, no nail or screw pops.

Bathrooms

Sealant continuity around bath/shower, tap operation, drainage flow, tile alignment, extractor fan operation, no visible leaks.

Kitchens

Cupboard doors level and self-closing, worktop sealant, integrated appliances functioning, sink drainage, no chips or scratches.

Electrics & Heating

Every socket and switch tested, smoke and CO alarms operational, heating and hot water working in every room, thermostat responsive.

How to Snag

Snagging in three steps

A repeatable process you can run during your pre-completion inspection and throughout your warranty period.

Step 1

Walk through with the checklist

Inspect each room methodically using a printed or digital checklist. Take your time - pre-completion inspections often last 2-3 hours for a typical 3-bed house.

Step 2

Photograph every defect

Take a wide shot showing the location, then a close-up showing the defect. Defectly stamps each photo with the defect reference so nothing gets lost.

Step 3

Send to your developer

Share live access with your developer, or export a PDF evidence pack (included from your second property). Track each item from "open" to "resolved" with a timestamped audit trail you can rely on.

Paper checklist vs Defectly

Paper or spreadsheet checklist

Scattered across chats, calls, and memory

Reports arrive everywhere. Photos live in someone's phone. Nobody knows whose turn it is.

  • Photos stored separately from the checklist line item
  • No central status - what is fixed, what is outstanding?
  • Easy to lose, hard to share with your developer
  • No timestamped audit trail for warranty disputes
  • Manual chasing for each repair update
  • No visibility once the developer takes the list away
Defectly snagging app

One timeline, from report to resolution

Every action stamped, every person notified, every photo attached, automatically.

  • Photos and notes attached to every defect by reference number
  • Live status - open, in progress, resolved, verified
  • Share access with your developer in one click
  • Immutable timestamped record for warranty and ombudsman claims
  • Automatic notifications when status changes
  • Visibility through your full defect liability period
Snagging FAQs

Snagging questions, answered

When should I do my new build snagging inspection?
Ideally during your pre-completion inspection (PCI) before legal completion - this is your developer's formal opportunity to address defects before you move in. You can also continue snagging throughout your two-year defect liability period (the warranty window for non-structural defects) and report new defects as they emerge.
Should I hire a professional snagging surveyor?
A professional snagging survey typically costs £300-£600. Whether it is worth it depends on your confidence with construction details. Defectly works equally well whether you snag yourself or use a professional: log the surveyor's findings as defects and track each one to resolution.
What is the difference between snagging and a defect?
Snagging refers to the inspection process for identifying issues, particularly in new builds before or shortly after completion. A defect is any specific problem found - from a paint mark to a structural crack. Defectly tracks both: your snagging list (the collection) and each individual defect (with its own reference and timeline).
How long does my developer have to fix snags?
There is no single statutory deadline, but most developer aftercare policies and the New Homes Quality Code expect: critical issues within 24 hours, urgent issues within 7-14 days, routine snags within 30-90 days. Defectly timestamps every report so you can demonstrate delays clearly.
Can I claim against my warranty if snags are not fixed?
Yes. NHBC, Premier Guarantee, LABC and other UK warranty providers all require evidence of the defect, when it was reported, and the developer's response. Defectly's timestamped photo evidence is exactly the format these providers expect.
Is the Defectly snagging app free?
Yes. Your first property is free, with no card required to sign up. You get unlimited defects, 200 MB of photo storage, contractor directory access and the full status history. Every property after the first is £3.50 a month, which also adds PDF evidence packs and warranty reporting. See pricing for the full picture.

Still have questions?

Browse the full FAQ

Be ready to snag from day one

Free for one property. No credit card required. Your developer will get a more professional report than they are used to.

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