Homeowners
New Build Snagging: The 50 Defects Inspectors Find Most Often
⚡ QUICK ANSWER
A snagging survey is a professional inspection of a new build property to find defects before you take ownership. The HBF found that 93.7% of new build buyers reported problems after moving in. A snagging inspection costs £320–£600 and typically catches 150+ defects the average buyer would miss. Most are cosmetic — bad paint, loose handles, scratches — but serious issues like missing insulation, damp, and drainage problems show up too.
The numbers are hard to argue with. The Home Builders Federation survey (March 2025) found that 93.7% of new build buyers reported problems to their builder after moving in. More than a quarter reported over 15 snags. Yet most buyers never pay for a professional inspection before taking the keys.
The gap between what you find yourself and what a trained inspector finds is enormous. A first-time buyer will spot 20–30 issues in a new property. A professional snagging inspector finds 150 or more — including defects that will not show themselves for months, by which point fixing them is your problem and your bill.
New Build Quality — The Reality
93.7%
of new build buyers reported defects to their builder after moving in
HBF National Survey, March 2025
150+
defects found by a professional snagging inspector, vs 20–30 spotted by the average buyer
Industry snagging inspection data, 2024–2025
What cosmetic defects do snagging inspectors find most?
These are the most frequently reported issues. They come from poor workmanship on final finishes, not structural failure — but they affect how your new home looks and feels from day one.
| Defect | What inspectors look for | Typical fix cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bad paint finish | Brush marks, splatters, uneven coverage, drips | £50–£150/room |
| Scratched windows | Surface scratches on glass, damaged frames | £0–£200 |
| Loose door handles | Rattling, misaligned or poorly fitted mechanisms | £10–£50 |
| Paint on fixtures | Splatters on carpet, tiles, appliances, light fittings | £0–£100 |
| Carpet snags and tears | Pulled under doors, fraying, torn during installation | £50–£300 |
| Misaligned doors/frames | Doors that don’t close flush, visible gaps, binding | £50–£200 |
| Loose skirting boards | Not fitted properly or partially detached | £50–£150 |
| Uneven plasterwork | Visible seams, bumps, waves in walls or ceilings | £100–£300 |
| Poorly fitted architraves | Not square, gaps, not flush | £30–£150 |
| Socket/switch gaps | Gaps or misalignment around electrical outlets | £20–£80 |
What installation and functionality defects are common in new builds?
These defects stop things from working properly. They are not structural, but some affect safety, and several will get worse if left alone.
| Defect | What inspectors look for | Typical fix cost |
|---|---|---|
| Leaking taps/showers | Dripping water, poor seals, faulty valves | £50–£300 |
| Faulty toilet flush | Won’t flush, runs continuously, or leaks | £100–£400 |
| Poor plumbing grading | Inadequate falls causing drainage problems | £200–£1,000 |
| Boiler not commissioned | Installed but not tested or lacking safety certs | £0–£500 |
| Electrical circuits untested | Not certified or failing EICR safety checks | £200–£800 |
| Door locks/latches stuck | Locks jam, latches don’t catch, keys stick | £30–£150 |
| Kitchen appliances poorly fitted | Not level, not sealed, or not working | £100–£400 |
| Faulty radiator valves | Not working, poor heat regulation | £30–£150 |
| Poor window sealing | Gaps around frames, water ingress, condensation | £50–£300 |
| Caulking gaps | Gaps around skirting, architraves, or joints | £20–£100 |
What serious structural defects do inspectors find in new builds?
These are the defects that matter most. They affect the long-term integrity of the building and can mean systemic construction failure. Many are covered under NHBC or LABC warranty — but proving the builder is liable often means legal action.
Structural Defects
The Expensive Problems Inspectors Catch
Serious defects in new builds · typical repair costs 2026
⚠️ MISSING CAVITY BARRIERS = FIRE SAFETY RISK
Fire safety barriers not installed between cavities is a Building Regulations breach, not a cosmetic snag. If your inspector flags this, do not complete until it is fixed. This is non-negotiable.
What external and drainage defects should you look for?
External problems are easy to miss at handover. Water ingress from poor drainage is one of the most expensive defects to fix after the fact.
| Defect | What inspectors look for | Typical fix cost |
|---|---|---|
| Poorly graded driveway | Water not draining, pooling, subsiding | £300–£1,500 |
| Defective drainage gullies | Not level, blocked, not to spec | £100–£500 |
| Missing/damaged fencing | Incomplete, damaged panels, not to spec | £500–£2,000 |
| Faulty guttering | Not level, loose, missing, poor discharge | £200–£1,000 |
| Surface water pooling | Water gathering around foundations | £500–£2,000 |
| Defective external doors | Not closing, seals failing, water ingress | £100–£500 |
| Poorly laid patio | Subsidence, uneven surfaces, poor drainage | £500–£2,000 |
| Missing airbricks | Not installed or inadequate ventilation | £100–£400 |
What is normal settling and what is actually a defect?
New buildings take 9–12 months to dry out and settle. During that time, cracks smaller than 2mm (roughly the width of a pound coin edge) are normal shrinkage. They tend to appear around doorframes and where ceilings meet walls. Most building materials contain water at installation and shrink as they dry. These are not snags.
Condensation is also common in the first 6–12 months as construction moisture evaporates. Opening windows, running extractor fans, and keeping a steady temperature usually sorts it.
⚠️ WHEN CRACKS ARE NOT NORMAL
Cracks wider than 2mm — especially diagonal cracks or cracks above door and window headers — are not settling. They point to structural movement or poor workmanship. Active damp, visible mould, salt staining, or water getting in are all defects. Missing insulation, inadequate electrical earthing, and missing fire barriers are Building Regulations failures. None of these are acceptable.
How much does a snagging survey cost?
A professional snagging survey costs between £320 and £600, depending on property size. Here is what to expect.
| Property type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bed flat | £320–£400 |
| 2-bed house or flat | £350–£500 |
| 3-bed house | £400–£550 |
| 4-bed detached | £500–£700 |
| Large or complex property | £600+ |
💡 THERMAL IMAGING AND DAMP TESTING
Standard snagging surveys cost £320–£600. Adding thermal imaging (to find insulation gaps or cold bridges) or damp meter testing adds £100–£300. For properties on clay soil or with signs of moisture, the extra spend often pays for itself if it catches something early.
When should you commission a snagging survey?
Before exchange (best). Commission your inspection 7–10 days before your planned exchange. This gives you time to get quotes for anything the builder disputes, which strengthens your hand. If they refuse to fix things, adjust your offer to cover the repair costs.
At practical completion (still useful). If you have already exchanged, use the defects list to hold back money from the final payment or make the builder fix things before you take the keys.
After completion (documentation only). If you have already completed, a survey documents what was there at handover. Useful for warranty claims, but your bargaining position is much weaker.
✅ USE YOUR PRE-COMPLETION INSPECTION RIGHT
The New Homes Quality Code (2024) requires builders to offer pre-completion inspections. Use it. Appoint a RICS or RPSA surveyor at least 5 calendar days before the Notice to Complete. Get a photographic report listing every defect with measurements and location. Do not rely on verbal promises from the builder.
What does the builder’s warranty actually cover?
Most new builds come with a 10-year structural warranty (NHBC, LABC, or similar). It has two phases:
Years 1–2 (Defects Liability Period): the builder must fix everything — cosmetic and structural. This is your snagging window. They are supposed to hand you a snagging list and sort items on it before completion or within a reasonable timeframe after.
Years 3–10 (Structural Warranty): the warranty insurer covers structural defects from poor construction — foundation movement, roof failure, serious water ingress. It does not cover cosmetic issues, workmanship, or wear and tear. Claims in this period are often contested and need expert evidence.
⚠️ WARRANTY DOES NOT MEAN FREE REPAIRS
Even if a defect is covered, chasing the claim is on you. Document the defect, get repair quotes, file a formal claim. Builders are often slow to respond or dispute liability. If the defect is minor or the builder ignores you, the repair bill lands in your lap. This is why catching defects before completion matters.
Frequently asked questions
Why do new builds have so many defects if they are brand new?
Speed. Builders need to hit sales targets and completion deadlines, and quality control on finishes and final inspections suffers. Most new build defects are workmanship problems, not structural failures. The HBF found 93.7% of buyers reported issues — it is the industry norm, not the exception.
Does the builder’s warranty cover snagging defects?
Partly. The 10-year warranty covers structural and serious defects but typically not cosmetic issues or workmanship. The builder should fix snags before completion or during the first 12 months if you push back. After that, warranty claims are slow and expensive. Get your survey done before you own the property.
Can I use the snagging report to reduce the purchase price?
Yes. If your survey finds £2,000+ in defects, you have grounds to renegotiate or require the builder to fix things before completion. Your leverage is strongest before exchange. After exchange, you have less room to move.
Should I trust the builder’s own snagging list?
Not on its own. Builders have to produce a snagging list, but they have every reason to keep it short. An independent surveyor has no financial interest in downplaying problems. If the builder’s list and your independent report differ a lot, that tells you the builder is undercounting.
What happens if I find defects after completion?
You can chase the builder under warranty, but the burden is on you — document everything, get quotes, file claims. Builders are often slow or dispute what they owe. If it is minor or they ignore you, you pay. Get the survey done before you take the keys.
Is a snagging survey the same as a full structural survey?
No. Snagging surveys focus on defects and workmanship in new builds (£320–£600). Full structural surveys (RICS Level 3) assess the building’s structural integrity and cost £750–£1,500. For new builds under warranty (less than 10 years old), snagging is usually enough.
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