Snagging List Explained

Compare My Move Fact-Checking Standards

The Compare My Move team follows strict guidelines to ensure that every piece of content is accurate, trust-worthy and adheres to the highest standard of quality. Each article is expertly reviewed by members of our author panel before being published to promote accurate and quality content.

All Compare My Move articles adhere to the following standards:

Expertly reviewed - Our articles are reviewed by an industry expert with in-depth knowledge and experience of the article topic.

Data supported - All statistics, research and data must link or reference to the original source.

Accuracy - All research and data are taken from high-quality, trustworthy and authoritative sources.

Quality checked - Our content writers ensure every Compare My Move article is written to the highest of standard.

When buying a new build home, it is recommended that you hire a snagging surveyor. Although many people would expect new build homes to be flawless, that isn’t always the case.

A professional surveyor can inspect the home to ensure everything has been completed to a high standard. They will highlight any defects and compile a report of any issues they find.

In this guide, Compare My Move explains everything you need to know about Snagging Lists and why they're useful to new build homebuyers.

What is a New Build Snagging List?

A Snagging List is essentially a property survey for a new build. A surveyor will inspect the home, reporting on any issues or 'snags' with a new build property.

This typically includes defects like damaged goods or unfinished jobs. In some cases, bigger issues may be found, like large cracks in work surfaces or poor brickwork.

Your surveyor will compile a report which can then be taken to the developer so any issues can be rectified.

Who Should Use a Snagging List?

A snagging list or 'punch list', is designed for those buying a newly built property. These are homes without a previous owner and are often bought off-plan. They are usually built by big-name property developers such as Barratt, Redrow and Persimmon.

First-time buyers using affordable home ownership schemes will likely be purchasing one of these homes. Research by The Home Builders Federation found up to 16,000 new homes were bought using the Help to Buy scheme. Of these sales, 81% have been first-time buyers. As a result, they would benefit from arranging a snagging survey on the property.

Do I Need a Snagging Survey?

As with property surveys, a snagging survey is not a legal requirement. The home will have been checked and signed off in line with Building Regulations. It will also have a new build warranty applied from an approved policy provider.

Despite this, if you are buying a newly built home, especially off-plan, a snag list is strongly advised. Home Builders Federation's surveys report that 99% of new build owners reported 'snags' or 'defects' after moving in.

Why Should I Get a Snagging Survey?

The snagging lift can give you invaluable information about the home. The surveyor will review the home to ensure all necessary work adheres to the correct standards. If snags and defects are highlighted early on, they can be rectified before they develop into bigger issues. This can save you money, time and stress in the future.

Once you have your snagging survey report, you can approach the property developer. This will give you proof and a professional opinion on issues in the home. The property developer can then make right any concerns highlighted in the report.

What Does a Snagging List Include?

During a snagging survey, a surveyor will work their way through the property systematically. As they inspect the home, they’ll note anything they find which will later be compiled into a report. Everything from cosmetic issues to serious problems like structural damage will be included.

Some of the most common issues in new build homes include:

Unfinished handiwork

Skirting board damage

Plastering issues

Problems with the external brickwork

Unfinished decor

Poorly fitted goods

What Does the Report Look Like?

The report will often be delivered as an email, although it can be sent to you by post if you prefer. It’s a relatively simple report and should be very clear in terms of what has been assessed. It will set out what needs further attention or renovations.

The report should list all the areas that the professional has looked at. Next to each of these sections, there should be a note to highlight that they have been inspected, in addition to notes of any defects or snags that have been detected.

Here is what will be included in the report:

Brickwork

Paintwork (internal and external)

Plumbing and pipework

Gardens

Roof

Windows

Kitchen fittings

Appliances

Floors

Staircases

Loft space

Garages

Can I Do A Snagging Survey Myself?

If you know buildings and construction, you may opt to do the snagging survey checklist yourself. However, if you do not have professional experience, a snagging survey is best left to an expert. They will have the knowledge and experience to ensure the survey is carried out to a high standard.

Completing your own snagging survey could save you some money but you will need to be prepared. To begin, you will need to make arrangements with the property developer to let you on site. From there you will need to make sure you follow a snagging checklist.

For more details on completing your own snagging survey, see our article on New Build Snagging Checklist.

How Much Will a Snagging Survey Cost?

Depending on the size of the new build property, a snagging survey will cost between £300 to £600. This will depend on the size and value of the property, the location and the surveyor you choose. Given the current high price of homes in the UK, this could be a small fee to pay to ensure the property is in good shape.

If you do your snagging survey yourself then this could cost you considerably less. However, if you miss anything, then this may cost you more in the long run.

For more information on survey costs see: How Much Does a Snagging Survey Cost?

What Should I Do Once I Receive the Report?

When you receive your snagging report, you should read over it thoroughly. If you do not understand anything in the report, you should contact your surveyor to discuss it.

You should check whether your surveyor has sent a copy to the housing developer or if you will need to do that yourself. You will then be able to begin communication with the developer about how to move forward with the repairs. Remember it is the responsibility of the home builder to remedy any faults that have been found.

Find a Surveyor

Here Compare My Move, we can connect you with up to 6 local snagging surveyors. This will help you to save up to 70% on your snagging surveying costs. Simply fill in our surveying comparison form to get connected to the right company for you.

All our surveying partners have passed our strict verification process. This includes being registered with RICS or RPSA if they offer Snagging Surveys.

Need a Removal Company?

When the survey is complete and the property transaction goes through, you may need to book a removal company. Our integrated surveying form allows you to request moving specialists in just a few steps. We can connect you with up to 6 removal companies in the area. We can also help you to save up to 70% on your removal costs.