A Snag List is carried out on a newly built property, as opposed to a second hand property which requires a Pre-Purchase Survey. The two should not be confused.
A Snag List is a fully comprehensive list of items that a builder has not completed correctly, and defective work and evident damage to be repaired to complete the property to an acceptable standard prior to closing. Where Building Regulation breaches are visible, appropriate advice will be provided.
On completion and submission of the list, the required works are attended to by the builder prior to closing of the sale. If required, the property is re-visited by one of our surveyors to ensure that the recommended works have been completed.
Vitally Important
Carrying out a thorough snag list on a newly built property is vitally important to ensure that you receive an acceptable quality of finish, making sure that you do not have a multitude of problems and irritations after you move in.
New developments are constructed for the most part on a sub-contract basis. The various sub-contractors usually work on a price per unit basis, often being more concerned with working quickly than working well, resulting in a deficient quality of finish.
The Snag List ensures that the builder carries out his obligations to you by completing the house properly, after all, why should you have to go to the hassle and expense of carrying out repairs yourself when you have paid the builder a small fortune to finish the house correctly in the first place.
Important Tips
Never allow yourself to be unduly pressured by the builder into carrying out a Snag List prior to completion of the works. Builders will often ask you to carry out the list weeks before the property is actually complete.
Also a property should not be inspected if it has not been fully cleaned. Dust and debris can cover defects.
You should never ask the builder for a recommendation on who to use as it creates a conflict of interests. Many builders will have arrangements with “snaggers” who will carry out a low cost “soft” snag list that is more advantageous to the builder than to you.
Many of these snaggers are uninsured and unqualified and should not be used. Our experience is that the quality of service and outcome will be lacking.
To prevent this from happening to you, you should only use a Registered Building Surveyor to carry out your Snag List.
