Electrics snags

Easy to test, easy to forget — walk the house with a charger and a torch on day one.

What to check

Every socket works
Test each socket with something portable — a phone charger or a hairdryer. Don't skip the awkward ones behind the TV or in cupboards.
Light fittings
Every switch turns its light on and off. No flickering, no buzzing, no warm-to-touch fittings.
Two-way switches
Hall and landing switches working in both directions — easy to miss if only one stair light is tested.
Cooker and appliance isolators
Hidden behind cupboards or above worktops — confirm each is wired and labelled.
Outdoor and garage power
External sockets, garage lights, doorbell, security lights. Often the last to be commissioned.

Example of an electrics snag — testing a wall socket with a plug-in tester

What’s normal vs. what’s a snag

See the full explanation of NHBC viewing distances, allowed tolerances and where to push back in our pillar guide: What “within tolerance” really means →

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