What is a New Build Snagging Survey?

When thinking of a new-build home, it's easy to assume that everything will be perfect, but even new-builds have problems. At least with a new build, you can get any issues fixed. You just need to spot them first - and that's where a snagging survey comes in. 

Like the other RICS survey levels, a snagging survey is designed to clarify the issues affecting your home. It is ideal for new builds, giving potential buyers a clear understanding of the quality of their new build and protecting them from issues that could have gone unnoticed had a survey not been taken. 

If you are looking to buy a home, particularly if the property is new, a snagging survey is vital to giving you the peace of mind to settle into your new home. Read on and learn all you need to know about snagging surveys, including what a surveyor will look for and, importantly, how much they cost. 

The snagging survey is the survey you will need to take out on a new build carried out by a property surveyor. The survey provides a detailed inspection of the home, reviewing the property's condition, the building materials used and the quality of the work done by the builders. 

A new build snagging survey is designed to determine whether there are any immediate problems with your new-build home. Your surveyor will check everything, from minor problems like leaky taps and bad finishes to more severe problems like structural issues.

Whilst you are not legally obligated to take out a survey on your new build, it is a good idea to make the investment, as the feedback given may prove valuable to ensuring any issues are fixed by the designers before you move in, not only saving you money but also the stress of finding issues with the home after moving in.

You should get your new build snagging survey done before you move in, and preferably before you sign the completion documents, as any issues your survey discovers will be quicker rectified if found before you legally agree to buy the property.

Try to get the snagging survey done as soon as possible after the building has finished so developers have time to fix any ‘snags' that the survey might find. In some cases, the developer won't allow you to have a survey done before completion so you'll have to book it for just after move-in. You can have a snagging survey done at any time over the next two years, and the developer will still have to fix any problems found.

How much your snagging survey costs will depend on the size of your new-build property and the surveyor you choose. Usually, it will cost between £300 - £600, but why not get a quick quote to find out exactly? Our chartered surveyors are fully qualified, accredited, and professional, with great reputations, and we offer fixed fees, meaning your bill will never increase at any point.

Like with an RICS Level 3 and Level 2 survey. Your surveyor will come to the property and check all the doors, walls, windows, fittings, etc. Once they have surveyed the property both inside and out, they will write up the survey report and pass it directly to the developer to speed up the repair process. Once the developer has received the survey results, they will have to rectify the problems within an agreed time period.

This process is simple and effective for finding the most minor issues, such as misaligned door handles and crucial for determining structural issues that could be a major problem in the future, such as issues with fitting the correct ventilation, the walls of the property being built missaligned and wonky and many other potential issues.

It is not recommended but you can try and do your own snagging survey but you will need a good deal of specialist knowledge and a large amount of research to make sure you don't miss any issues. Major problems like subsidence or other structural issues can be difficult to diagnose early on and won't be immediately obvious to the untrained eye.

To ensure the snagging survey is completed to the highest standard, we recommend enlisting a surveyor specially trained to spot issues most people would simply glance over. 

Even though you've had a survey done, some problems may not show up until you've lived in the new build for a while. Be sure to keep a list, known as a "snagging list," of any defects that crop up. You can still submit the list to the developer within two years of your move-in date.

If you have major structural problems outside of the two-year window, you can still make a claim under the NHBC (National House-Building Council) warranty, which lasts for 10 years. If you would like to discuss getting a snagging survey done for your new-build property, then be sure to contact us or use our free, no obligation quote generator.