Whether you’re about to complete on a new build home or have moved in to find problems, we can connect you with an independent on-site snagging inspector today
Fill in the form below to get the ball rolling
A snagging survey is there to spot problems with your new build home. These may be small and cosmetic, to significant and structural. A snagging survey is a visual survey to check the quality of workmanship against applicable standards. A good snagging inspector should check every aspect of the property that is visible, covering both the interior and the exterior of the property as well as garden, driveway and garage if relevant.
The ideal time to get a professional snagging survey done is before you legally complete on the purchase of your new home. This would involve getting a Pre-Completion Inspection Survey. This allows for any important issues to be identified and reported to the developer and gives them time to rectify these issues, before you move in.
Given the number of complaints and calls for help we get from visitors to our website, the HomeOwners Alliance is proud to have teamed up with one of the best known snagging inspectors in the UK, New Build Inspections. Unlike many other snagging companies, they never work for developers or builders so can retain their independence.
Their snagging inspectors are highly qualified and experienced and have inspected thousands of new homes nationwide. They bring together the knowledge and experience of chartered surveyors, senior site managers, building surveyors, architects and developers to produce their new homes snagging methodology.
Our partners at New Build Inspections serves a wide range of counties and cities across the United Kingdom, including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Coventry, Derbyshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Sheffield, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire
No matter where your new build property is located within these regions, choose New Build Inspections for a worry-free homebuying experience.
Here’s what they are in more detail:
Pre-Completion Inspections, or PCIs, were introduced by the New Homes Quality Board. PCIs can be used to spot finishing issues and other basic elements such as lights, taps etc are working. A Pre Completion Inspection is more limited in terms of checks your surveyor can carry out and equipment they can use compared to a fuller Snagging Survey and it usually has to follow the NHQB Checklist.
Whether you opt for a pre-completion inspection or not, you can also have a new build snagging survey done at any time once you have moved in. But make sure you get one done early and well before the end of the first two years, and reported to your house builder to remedy issues highlighted in the survey. You can also create a snagging list yourself but you are unlikely to spot the range of things a professional snagging inspector will identify. An independent snagging survey will also add weight to your complaints if you have found your developer to be unresponsive to your calls for action.
Our partners at New Build Inspections also offer Standard Plus surveys. You’ll get the same services offered by the standard new build snagging survey, which means they will carry out a detailed inspection of the property, thermal imaging, ensure the property complies with all relevant building regulations.
But you’ll also get a re-inspection to ensure the work has been completed to the correct standard. They’ll liaise with site staff to book your preliminary inspection. They’ll give you back up and support before carrying out a follow up visit to make sure everything highlighted in your snagging report that needed to be rectified has been done to a satisfactory standard.
A new home snagging survey costs from £300 but the price will depend on the property size and the type of snagging survey you want. Read more in our guide on Snagging survey costs.
What’s the snagging process?
How common are snagging problems?
Is it worth getting a snagging survey?
Once you’ve instructed your new build snagging surveyor and they’ve carried out the inspection, the snagging report will be issued within 2 working days with a copy going to you and one directly to the developer. Once this process has begun the New Build Inspectors will be available to provide free support and advice.
How common are snagging problems?
Is it worth getting a snagging survey?
According to the Home Builders Federation National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey published in March 2024, 95% of new build buyers reported problems such as snags and defects to their builder since moving in and a third (33%) reported more than 15 snags.
Yes, if you’re buying a new build it’s advisable to get a new home snagging survey, unless you work in the building trade and know what to look out for. As the figures show, snagging issues with new build homes are very common. And it can be easy to miss issues unless your an expert.
