Architect: A professional who designs and plans the layout and structure of a new home, ensuring it meets aesthetic, functional, and regulatory requirements.

Builder/Contractor: A professional or company responsible for executing the construction of the new domestic property according to the architect’s plans and specifications.

Building Regulations: Legal regulations specifying the minimum standards for construction, safety, and habitability that must be adhered to in the construction of new domestic properties.

Common Snags: Some of the most common snags found in newly built properties include:

• Minor cosmetic defects: Such as scratches, dents, and paintwork imperfections.

• Incomplete work: Such as missing tiles, gaps in flooring, and unfinished woodwork.

• Faulty fixtures and fittings: Such as doors that don’t close properly, windows that leak, and electrical sockets that don’t work.

• Structural defects: Such as cracks in walls, uneven floors, and leaking roofs.

Completion Certificate: Documentation provided by the builder confirming that the property has been completed to a satisfactory standard.

Defect: Any imperfection, fault, or problem in the construction or finish of a new build property that deviates from the specified standards.

Drawings: Detailed drawings or digital representations outlining the design, dimensions, and specifications of the new domestic property.

Final Walkthrough: A final inspection of the new build property by the homeowner before accepting the handover, usually done to ensure that all snagging issues have been addressed.

Handover: The formal transfer of a new build property from the developer/builder to the homeowner, typically marked by the completion of construction and finalisation of paperwork.

Home Warranty: Insurance covering structural defects in new build homes for a specific period, often 10 years. The Building Safety Act 2022 has updated the laws for mandatory building warranties on new build homes. Part 5 (Section 144–145) of this legislation states that anyone who undertakes or commissions the construction or conversion of a building to create a dwelling must provide a building warranty in order to sell it.

Inspector/Snagging Surveyor: A professional hired by the homeowner to conduct a snagging inspection, identifying and recording defects in the new build property.

New Build Property: A residential property that has been recently constructed and has not been previously occupied.

Planning Permission: Local Authority process to gain approval to build a new home (or other building) at a location to an agreed design/specification.

Pre-completion Inspection: An inspection of a newly built property that is carried out before it is handed over to the homeowner. This inspection is an opportunity for the homeowner to identify any snags that need to be rectified. This is usually a less-formal part of the construction process on the part of the builder.

Quality Control: The measures and processes implemented by builders to ensure that construction meets the required standards and specifications.

Remedial Work: The work carried out to rectify snags in a newly built property. This work is typically carried out by the developer/builder.

Retention: A practice where a percentage of the payment to the builder is withheld by the homeowner until all snagging issues are satisfactorily resolved.

Snagging: The process of identifying and rectifying defects or issues in a new build property before final handover.

Snagging Company: A professional service hired by homeowners to conduct thorough snagging inspections, providing an unbiased assessment of the property’s condition.

Snagging List: A comprehensive record of all defects, issues, or incomplete tasks identified during the snagging process, often used as a reference for remedial work.

Snagging Period: The period of time after a newly built property has been handed over to the homeowner during which snags can be identified and rectified. This period is typically six months.

Snagging Process: The snagging process typically involves the following steps:

1. The homeowner identifies snags and compiles a snagging list.

2. The homeowner submits the snagging list to the developer/builder.

3. The developer/builder inspects the snags and agrees to rectify them.

4. The developer/builder carries out rectification work.

5. The homeowner inspects the rectification work and confirms that the snags have been fixed.

Snagging Survey: A more detailed inspection of a newly built property that is carried out by a professional snagging surveyor. This inspection is more likely to identify hidden defects than a pre-completion inspection.

The glossary above should hopefully help you through the snagging process as part of your new home purchase. We’ve also listed below our top tips to consider: 

• Be thorough: Carry out a thorough inspection of the entire property, both inside and out.

• Document everything: Take notes and photos of any snags you find.

• Be patient: The snagging process can take time, so be patient and persistent.

• Get professional help: If you are not confident in your ability to snag your property yourself, consider hiring a professional snagging inspector. Contact Infinity Planning by calling  or completing the form below.