Home→What Is Snagging
Snagging is the process of identifying defects in a new-build property before you legally complete. Here is what it means, what it covers, and why every London new-build buyer needs it.
Definition
A snag is a defect, unfinished item, or substandard element in a new-build property. Snagging is the process of finding and documenting every snag before you complete — so the developer is legally obligated to fix them.
Almost anything that is not finished, not working, or not to the standard described in your purchase contract. Snags range from cosmetic (a scratch on a window sill) to structural (a ventilation system that has never worked). In our experience inspecting London new-builds, a typical flat has 40–90 snagsat handover — including issues the developer's own sign-off process missed entirely.
Doors & thresholds
Misaligned doors, missing stoppers, dragging on flooring, damaged frames
Bathroom
Dripping taps, slow drains, hairline cracks in ceramic, failed silicone seals, wall-hung toilet flex
Kitchen
Disconnected dishwasher, misaligned units, hollow tiles, appliances not working
Ventilation
Bathroom fan not extracting, MVHR system not functioning, insufficient airflow
Electrics
Mislabelled consumer unit, loose sockets, painted light fittings, heating not working
Windows
Failed sealed units (condensation between panes), stiff mechanisms, draught gaps in seals
Flooring
Soft spots under LVT, mismatched batches, raised plank edges, carpet seam gaps
Walls & ceilings
Cracks, uneven surfaces, paint runs, water staining (painted over)
Boiler
Painted foil connections (voids warranty), wrong pressure, inadequate hot water
A snagging inspection is a professional walkthrough of your new-build property by an experienced builder or inspector. Unlike a structural survey (which looks at the building fabric and is carried out by a chartered surveyor), a snagging inspection focuses on the quality of the finish, the functioning of all systems, and the completion of all work.
At BluntSnag, our inspectors are builders — not inspectors who learned from a manual. We know what developers cut corners on because we have worked in construction. We know where to look, and we know what the fix costs.
After the inspection, you receive a written report with photographs of every defect, priority ratings (what to fight for first), and real London repair costs for each issue. The report arrives within 24 hours.
Before completion (best)
2–7 days before your legal completion date. You have the legal right to inspect before you complete. The developer cannot refuse access. Any defects found are documented before you exchange any final money — giving you maximum leverage.
After completion — within 2 years
The developer's defects liability period runs for 2 years from completion. Any defect that appears in this window should be reported in writing. A snagging inspection at any point in this period creates a formal, documented list the developer must address.
2-year deadline approaching
If you are approaching your 2-year anniversary and have not had a professional inspection, book one immediately. Once the 2-year period ends, the developer has no obligation to fix defects. A pre-2-year inspection often finds issues you did not know existed.
Yes — but the obligation depends on timing, documentation, and persistence. Under the New Homes Quality Code (which replaced the old Consumer Code in 2023) and general contract law, developers must deliver a property in the condition described. That means everything working, all work completed, to a proper standard.
In practice, how quickly a developer responds depends largely on how well-documented your snag list is. A professional written report with photographs and repair costs is taken significantly more seriously than a verbal complaint. We have seen developers fix everything on a professional snag list within 30 days — and others stall for months on a buyer's informal note.
Can I do my own snagging?
Yes, and our £20 guide gives you the same room-by-room framework our inspectors use. However, a professional inspection finds significantly more — particularly concealed issues (like ventilation failures and disconnected appliances) that most buyers miss entirely. For a property worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, the inspection cost is small relative to the repair value it recovers.
How long does a snagging inspection take?
Typically 2–3 hours for a 1–2 bedroom flat, 3–4 hours for a larger property. You do not need to be present, but many buyers choose to attend so they can understand each issue as it is found.
What is the difference between snagging and a structural survey?
A snagging inspection focuses on finish, function, and completion — it is specific to new-build properties and the defects that arise at handover. A structural survey (Level 2 or Level 3, carried out by a RICS surveyor) assesses the structural integrity of the building itself. They address different concerns and serve different purposes.
We cover all London new-build areas