Snagging your new home

Make sure the builders have done a proper job - get a snagging list before you complete

When you purchase a new home you expect to move in to a house where all the work has been completed and there is nothing for you to do except enjoy your new dream home. But some developers raise your expectations with the designer show home and glossy sales literature and then don’t deliver. If you’re not careful you could be the proud owner of a home which is full of unexpected defects which can take months for the builders to put right.

To avoid all the inconvenience, frustration and costs, you should employ the services of a chartered surveyor to give the new property a thorough inspection. Do this before completion and handing over your money.

This inspection for faults and defects is known as snagging, the report enables you to go to the developer and get the defects put right within a set period of time. This is likely to cost about £300 - £500, depending on the size of the property, but can be money well spent as some in the profession estimate there can be up to 200 defects in a third of new homes.

Many developers see repair work as unprofitable, so they tend to delay and then do a bodge job to save money. You must ensure there is a time scale by which all the faults on your snagging list will be put right and what recourse you have if they are not rectified in time or to an acceptable standard. Preferably this should be included in your contract of sale.

What if the builder refuses to carry out the repairs or does a bodge job? You should get estimates for the repairs from reputable builders. Then write to the developer stating that unless they carry out the required work and do this promptly and to an acceptable standard you will employ other contractors and then go to court to recover the cost.

If this doesn't spur the builder into action you will have to carry out your threat and take action. Where the amount is less than £5000 the case would  heard in the small claims court.

Updated 16th July 2007

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