When you’re moving into a new build property, you want to make sure everything is as it should be. After all, you’ve spent a lot of time (and money) choosing your dream new build home. However, you may find that the property has major or minor issues that need fixing before you can move in—this is where a snagging list comes in handy.
A snagging list is a list of issues or ‘snags’ that must be fixed before you can move into your new build home. Snags can be anything from minor decorative issues, such as scuffs or scratches from building work or patches of paint on doors and windows, to major problems, such as cracked guttering or faulty electrics.
The purpose of a snagging list is to identify issues that the property developers need to fix before you move into your new build home. But that’s not to say that new builds aren’t checked for defects. New build homes are checked by building regulation inspectors and home builders, but some issues may get missed.
You should get a snagging list if you’re purchasing a new build property. If you’re purchasing an existing property, it’s also a good idea to check for any minor or major problems you’d like fixed. However, these problems are likely to be more complex because they may have been caused by previous homeowners or are down to normal wear and tear.
In this case, it’d be better to commission a homebuyer’s report. A snagging list may be suitable if you have significant work done to your home. Snagging lists aren’t compulsory, but they may give you some peace of mind that your new build home is in good condition.
The ideal time to create a snagging list is before the exchange of contracts but after the property has finished being built, as it’s easier for builders to fix major or minor issues when the property is vacant. However, this may not be possible as housebuilders can refuse access to the property before completion, as they still legally own the land.
You can create your own snagging list, but it is best done by a solicitor or conveyancer, as they know what snags to look for. They will then work with the developer to fix any issues highlighted in the snagging survey.
When creating a snagging list, it’s vital you look for any issues that affect the property’s quality. It’s worth noting that you may have to negotiate with the house developers on what constitutes a fault, so you need to be clear on what you consider an issue before creating your snagging list. If you decide to create your own snagging list, there are several things you need to look out for:
Roof: Check for missing or broken tiles, leaks, and gaps or holes in the roof structure.
Walls and fences: Look for unevenness, cracks, and loose or missing bricks.
Gates: Test to make sure they open, close and lock properly.
Pipes: Check for leaks and damage to plumbing or drainage pipes.
Driveway: Check for cracks and any other issues that may affect safety and usability.
Doors: Look for damage, misalignments or issues with locks and door handles.
Stairs: Check for unevenness, misalignments or any issues with the railings or bannisters.
Kitchen: Look for damage or defects to kitchen cabinets, such as scratches or dents, check all appliances are properly installed and functional, check lighting works, check exhaust fan works, test water pressure and temperature and check tiles are installed correctly.
General cosmetic issues: Look for cosmetic issues such as chipped paint or woodwork, scuffs or marks.
If you’re not confident in compiling a snag list yourself, hire a solicitor or conveyancer to create one for you.
Snagging surveys typically cost between £200 and £600. As the homebuyer, you will receive the bill for the snagging survey. However, you could attempt to pass the cost of the survey onto the builder by adding it to the contract, but don’t get your hopes up, as the homebuyer typically pays the bill.
Creating a snagging list is a worthwhile investment to ensure your new build property is up to a high standard. You’ve spent your hard-earned money on a new home, so you want to make sure that what you’ve purchased is in great condition. While some new build home buyers have the specialist knowledge to conduct a snagging survey themselves, the task is best left to a solicitor or conveyancer as they know which issues to look out for.
If you’d prefer to hire a reliable UK conveyancer to create a snagging list for your new build home, talk to the team at Muve. Muve is a UK conveyancing firm focused on making the moving process less stressful with minimal paperwork, proactive case progression and access to a 24/7 online case portal. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information about the snagging survey process.
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