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Buying a new build home can be daunting, as without the reassurance of a previous dweller, how will you know that the home is up to scratch? In this guide, you can find key snags to look out for in your home, along with who to report any issues to and when they should be fixed.
So, how do you make sure your new home is finished to the highest standard? Start by surveying your home, making a note of any flaws or unfinished work that you may find, using a new build snagging checklist like this one. Follow this guide to familiarise yourself with what to look out for when you are quality checking the new build.
A snagging checklist is an inspection of new builds which details all faults, or “snags”, found. Examples could include a faulty plug socket, an uneven floorboard, or a crack in the rendering. Once your list is compiled, you can then get all issues fixed under your home’s warranty!
You can perform a snagging checklist on your new build home yourself! Simply follow this guide to successfully assess your property.
Alternatively, you can hire a professional snagging inspector to survey your home; these cost from £300 on average. Websites such as The Home Owners Alliance offer independent on-site snagging that you can access here. Please check the rules around using a professional snagger with your housing provider.
There is a lot of ground to cover when inspecting your new home. Ensure every inch is checked by reading the key aspects below.
Check all tiles are intact and secure, as falling tiles can be extremely dangerous. Roof tiles are the most common culprit for snagging issues, so be sure to check these thoroughly.
If your new home has a chimney, whether it is functioning or cosmetic, be sure to check this for any possible flaws that may be cause for concern further down the line.
Level walls are sturdy walls. Take the time to look for any cracks or defects in the brickwork that may make the home vulnerable.
Run water through all pipes to ensure there are no leaks and that all connections are secure. Also, checking the strength of your pipes is worthwhile, especially if you live in an area that commonly experiences heavy rainfall.
Pavings such as driveways and paths can be a hazard for not just yourselves, but your vehicles too, if not laid correctly. Being aware of these issues is important, even if they aren’t easy to fix before you move in!
Check the overall finish of the exterior of your property. Is the rendering and paintwork even? Are all external pipes painted?
Your new home is a product of all of your hard work; you need to be sure it looks exactly the way you expected it to!
A great place to start is with your doors and windows. Ensure all frames fit precisely with no gaps; this is key to preventing damp or any drafts.
A top tip at this point is to also check you have enough house and window keys, it’s always beneficial to get a spare key cut!
Check that your flooring is level and fitted well. Look for lumps and rippling in any carpets, and any uneven floorboards resulting in gaps – these can lead to dampness.
Look for even paint coverage and wood finish. Is all tiling perfectly grouted? Have all sockets been painted around cleanly?
Verify the proper installation of all electrical components, such as plug sockets, light fixtures, and USB plug points – make sure that all of these work efficiently and safely. Check the location of key electrical items such as fuse boxes, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors, and check that these are switched on and are working properly.
In newly built homes, appliances in the kitchen and laundry room sometimes come with the house. Be sure to assess the quality of them and provide feedback if any issues arise.
For more information on other benefits of new build homes, such as lower running costs, 10-year warranties, and the peace of mind that comes with a move-in-ready home, read our helpful blog.
Check for proper installation, configuration, and that your broadband is functioning as expected. It’s also good to check that the internet speed is satisfactory to what was agreed upon.
Focus on functionality – are these stairs safe? Each step should be the same height and depth to avoid injury. Also, ensure all handrails are strong and secure.
Making sure your plumbing is working should be one of the first priorities before moving in. Bad smells arise quickly when there is an issue, and you don’t want this ruining your new-home experience!
Assess the water pressure – Is the water flow to taps, showers and appliances satisfactory? Check for leaky taps or shower heads as well, there is nothing worse than that dripping sound!
As a general rule, all faults in your new build should be reported to the builder’s customer care department. Not everything reported will be considered a snag and the builder will only repair what they deem reasonable.
Most companies have a specific timescale by which snags must be reported. The company will then fix the issues under warranty. This timescale is usually around 2 years from the completion date, depending on the developer.
After this time, only major structural issues will be covered by your new build home’s warranty, over a period of 10 years. Any structural issues that occur in your home can cost thousands of pounds to repair, so being protected by a warranty will ensure that you will not have to cover the cost of any major unexpected repairs.
It is highly recommended to report any snags found as soon as possible. Handover inspections or soon after your move-in date are ideal times to do this.
It is imperative that you familiarise yourself with your home’s warranty terms before completing the sale, as it is a very important aspect of buying a new home.
Snagging Surveys don’t come under your new build’s warranty. Instead, the buyer of the property must arrange and pay for it themselves.
Use helpful guides like this one to get you started!
Typically, depending on property size, going through a new build snagging checklist can take 2-6 hours. Being meticulous in this process is essential!
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