Snagging Surveys for New Build Homes

A snagging survey identifies defects in your new build before you legally complete — meaning the developer is obligated to fix every issue at their cost, not yours.

CIOB, RICS and RPSA accredited inspectors
Typically identifies 50–150+ defects per property
Costs from £280 for a 1-bedroom flat
Must be booked before legal completion

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What Is a Snagging Survey?

A snagging survey is a detailed inspection of a newly built property, carried out by an independent specialist inspector. Unlike other surveys, it's not designed to assess the structure of the building — instead, it checks that the build quality meets the standards promised by the developer and required under NHBC or similar warranty agreements.

The resulting report lists every defect found — from serious structural issues to minor cosmetic problems — which you then present to the developer to fix before (or shortly after) completion.

📌 Key rule: Your snagging survey should be carried out before legal completion where possible. Once you've completed, you lose some legal leverage — though developers are still obligated to address defects under your NHBC Buildmark warranty for 2 years.

Common Snags Found

⚠️ Cracks in plaster, walls, and ceilings
⚠️ Poorly fitted doors and windows (gaps, misalignment)
⚠️ Uneven or incomplete flooring
⚠️ Poor-quality paintwork (thin coverage, runs, missed areas)
⚠️ Missing or poorly fitted sockets and light fittings
⚠️ Bathroom tiling defects (gaps, grout issues)
⚠️ Inadequate insulation in roof or walls
⚠️ Drainage and plumbing issues
⚠️ Structural movement (uncommon but important)
⚠️ Missing items from specification (fixtures, fittings)

Snagging Survey Costs by Property Size

Property Size	Average Cost	Range
Studio / 1-bedroom flat	£310	£280 – £380
2-bedroom flat	£360	£320 – £430
3-bedroom house	£430	£380 – £520
4-bedroom house	£510	£450 – £600
5-bedroom house	£580	£520 – £700

Snagging Survey FAQs

Legally, developers can refuse access for a pre-completion snagging inspection — unfortunately this is common practice. However, you can push back strongly, and many developers will relent if you insist. Alternatively, you can carry out the snagging inspection immediately after completion. Your NHBC warranty still covers defects for 2 years from completion, so you have legal recourse even post-completion.

A typical snagging inspection takes between 3 and 6 hours depending on the property size. Your inspector will go room by room checking every aspect of the build. The written report is usually delivered within 1–3 working days. Some companies offer a same-day report.

Overwhelmingly yes. Studies show that new-build properties have an average of 100+ defects identifiable at the time of handover. A good snagging survey typically identifies issues worth significantly more in repair value than the cost of the survey itself — and importantly, fixes are at the developer's expense, not yours. It's one of the best-value property purchases you can make.