Snagging a New Build Home: The Complete Guide
What snagging is, how the process works, and where to start.
Snagging is your opportunity to make sure you’re happy with the condition of your new home before the builder considers the job done. It’s not a complaint process and it’s not a sign you’ve bought a bad house — it’s a normal, expected part of buying new.
New homes are built by hands, not machines — so there will always be small things to put right. This is everything you need to know about finding them, listing them, and getting them fixed.
New Build Snagging Checklist
The room-by-room checklist UK new build buyers use — what to look for, in the order to check it.
Read guide →New Build Cracks: Is This Normal or a Snag?
Cracks, nail pops, settlement — what to put on your list and what to leave alone.
Read guide →“Within Tolerance” — What Builders Really Mean
The NHBC standards, viewing distances, and when to stand firm.
Read guide →How the Snagging Process Works
Who fixes your snags, the 7–10 day window, and the one mistake that delays everything.
Read guide →Snagging Survey Cost: Is It Worth It?
What a professional snagging survey costs in 2026 — and when the free tool is enough.
Read guide →What to Do If Your Builder Won’t Fix Snags
The escalation path, your warranty rights and how to push back.
Read guide →Inspect by category
Room-by-room inspection guides — what to check, in what order, and what counts as a real defect.
Paintwork
Chips, brush marks, missed spots.
Walls & ceilings
Cracks, nail pops, uneven plaster.
Doors & windows
Alignment, locks, seals, glass.
Flooring
Gaps, scratches, uneven boards.
Kitchen
Worktops, doors, appliances, sealants.
Bathroom
Silicone, grouting, taps, extractor.
Plumbing
Leaks, pressure, drainage, hot water.
Electrics
Sockets, switches, isolators, outdoor power.
External
Brickwork, drainage, fencing, driveway.
Build your checklist free with David
David is our free AI snagging assistant. He’ll walk you through every room, log each snag with photos, and generate a PDF report you can send to your builder.
Start a Free Snagging SessionAlready moving in? Browse our finishing guides →