First, The Basics
How to snag a new home
Snag in daylight, bring a torch, a phone for photos, some masking tape to mark issues, and a plug-in tester if you have one. Take your time — a thorough snag list is far easier to resolve before completion.
Note everything, however small. Cosmetic items like paint marks and poor sealant matter as much as functional ones when you're building a complete list for the builder.
Room By Room
Your snagging checklist
Exterior & roof
- Brickwork and render even, no cracks or staining
- Roof tiles aligned, ridge and flashing intact
- Gutters, downpipes and fascia secure and clear
- External doors and windows open, close and lock smoothly
- Paths, driveway and drainage finished and draining away from the house
Walls, ceilings & floors
- No cracks, bumps or visible plaster joints
- Paintwork even, no missed patches or drips
- Skirting and architrave neat with clean mitres
- Floors level, no squeaks or lifting boards/tiles
Kitchen
- Units and doors aligned, handles secure
- Worktop joints tight and well sealed
- Appliances present, working and connected
- Taps run hot and cold with no leaks under the sink
Bathrooms
- Sanitaryware secure, no chips or scratches
- Sealant around bath, shower and basin neat and complete
- Toilet flushes and refills cleanly, no running
- Extractor fan works and vents correctly
Electrical & heating
- Every socket, switch and light works
- Fuse board labelled, no tripping circuits
- Smoke and CO alarms fitted and working
- Heating reaches every radiator; thermostat and controls work
Doors, windows & attic
- Internal doors hang square and don't catch
- Window seals intact, no draughts or condensation between panes
- Attic insulation even and to depth, hatch fits
- Pipework in the attic lagged
Tip: snag before you sign
Wherever possible, complete your snag list before final handover. Many snags should be the builder's responsibility — TradesHero is ideal for anything outside that, or when you'd rather manage repairs yourself.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is snagging?+
Snagging is inspecting a new build for defects and unfinished items — from cosmetic issues like paint marks to functional faults — and listing them for the builder to fix.
When should I snag a new home?+
Ideally before final completion, so issues are documented while the builder is still on site and responsible for remedying them.
Should the builder fix snags for free?+
Many snags fall within the builder's contract and warranty. TradesHero helps with snags outside that cover, post-handover issues, or when you'd prefer to arrange repairs yourself.
Can I get help snagging?+
Yes — many surveyors and tradespeople on TradesHero can inspect a property, produce a snag list, and carry out the repairs.
Keep Reading