The Complete New Build Snagging Checklist (2026)

Buying a new build is exciting — until you realise nobody checks it for you. Developers hand over properties with defects all the time. Industry data suggests the average new-build home has over 100 snags, and the window to catch them before completion is short.

This new build snagging checklist gives you everything you need to inspect your property room by room, spot defects the developer must fix, and document them properly. Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional, this is the list to work from.

What Is a Snagging Checklist and Why You Need One

A snagging checklist is a structured list of items to inspect in a new-build property before (or shortly after) legal completion. "Snags" are defects — anything from a scratched window pane to a badly fitted kitchen unit or a boiler that does not fire up.

Developers are obligated to fix defects reported within the NHBC Buildmark warranty period (typically two years for most defects). But your leverage is strongest before completion, when the developer still wants your money. After you have moved in and paid, urgency on their side drops sharply. A proper snagging inspection checklist turns an overwhelming task into a methodical walkthrough. You will not miss the things that matter, and you will have a clear record to send to the developer's aftercare team.

When to Use This Checklist

Before completion (recommended). Most buyers get a pre-completion inspection — sometimes called a "home demonstration" — 7 to 14 days before legal completion. This is your best opportunity. You can request that defects are fixed before you complete, and in some cases you can withhold a retention from the purchase price until snags are resolved.

After moving in. If you missed the pre-completion window (or the developer did not offer one), you can still snag your property after moving in. Under the NHBC Buildmark warranty and the New Homes Quality Code, you have the right to report defects. The sooner you do it, the better — report within the first few weeks while everything is fresh.

What to bring: a torch, a phone or camera for photos, a spirit level, a tape measure, blue painter's tape to mark defects, and this checklist.

The Full Room-by-Room New Build Snagging Checklist

Work through each section systematically. Do not rush — a thorough inspection takes 2 to 4 hours for a typical 3-bedroom house.

Exterior

Brickwork and render

• Check for cracked, chipped, or misaligned bricks
• Look for gaps or missing mortar in pointing
• Check render for cracks, bubbling, or uneven patches
• Inspect the damp-proof course (DPC) — it should be visible and unobstructed, at least 150mm above ground level
• Roof and guttering
• Look up at the roofline from ground level — check for missing, slipped, or cracked tiles
• Check gutters and downpipes are securely fixed and aligned correctly
• Look for any visible gaps where gutters meet the fascia
• Ensure downpipes discharge into drains, not onto the ground

Windows and external doors

• Open and close every window — they should move smoothly and lock securely
• Check window seals for gaps or poor finishing
• Look for scratches, chips, or cracks in every pane of glass
• Inspect external door frames for damage and correct fitting
• Check the front door lock, handle, and letterbox all operate properly
• Ensure trickle vents are fitted and functioning on all windows

Driveways, paths, and fencing

• Check for cracked or sunken paving slabs and tarmac
• Ensure paths slope away from the house for drainage
• Inspect fencing for loose panels, broken posts, or missing caps
• Check that gates open, close, and latch properly

Hallways and Stairs

Walls and ceilings

• Run your hand along walls — feel for bumps, dips, or rough patches under the paint
• Look for cracks at ceiling junctions and above door frames
• Check paint finish for runs, missed spots, and roller marks
• Inspect skirting boards for gaps against the wall and floor

Floors

• Walk the full length of every hallway — listen and feel for creaking, bouncing, or uneven spots
• Check that floor coverings (if fitted) are properly laid with no lifting edges
• Inspect thresholds between rooms for proper finishing strips

Stairs

• Walk up and down — check each tread for creaking and movement
• Test the handrail and balusters — the handrail should be firmly fixed, balusters should not rotate or wobble
• Check the understairs cupboard (if present) for finishing and access

Doors

• Open and close every internal door — they should swing freely without catching the frame or floor
• Check handles, latches, and hinges are correctly fitted and functioning
• Look for damage to door faces: dents, scratches, or paint defects
• Check that door stops are fitted to protect walls

Kitchen

For a more detailed walkthrough, see our kitchen snagging checklist (coming soon).

Units and worktops

• Open and close every cupboard door and drawer — they should align properly and close fully
• Check hinges for smooth operation with no squeaking
• Run your hand along worktop surfaces and edges — feel for chips, scratches, or rough spots
• Check worktop joints for gaps, unevenness, or poor sealant
• Ensure all handles are firmly fitted and aligned consistently
• Look inside units for debris, damage, or missing shelves

Appliances

• Turn on the oven and hob — check every ring or burner ignites and heats
• Run the extractor fan on all speeds
• Test the dishwasher on a full cycle if fitted
• Check the fridge/freezer reaches the correct temperature (if included)
• Run the washing machine on a quick cycle (if included) and check for leaks

Plumbing

• Turn on the kitchen tap — check both hot and cold run correctly (cold on the right, hot on the left) Check water pressure is adequate
• Run the tap for a few minutes and check under the sink for leaks
• Ensure the waste pipe drains freely with no gurgling

Electrical

• Test every socket with a plug-in appliance — check they are all live
• Test light switches for the kitchen and any under-unit lighting
• Check the consumer unit (fuse box) is labelled correctly

Bathroom(s)

For a more detailed walkthrough, see our bathroom snagging checklist (coming soon).

Sanitaryware

• Check the toilet flushes fully and refills without running continuously
• Inspect the toilet seat — it should be firmly attached with no lateral movement
• Check the basin and bath/shower tray for chips, cracks, or scratches
• Ensure all plugs and pop-up wastes operate correctly

Tiling and sealant

• Inspect every tiled surface for cracked, chipped, or hollow tiles (tap gently — a hollow sound indicates poor adhesion)
• Check grout lines are consistent and fully filled with no gaps
• Run your finger along silicone sealant around the bath, shower tray, and basin — it should be smooth, continuous, and properly adhered on both sides
• Look for sealant around the toilet base

Plumbing

• Run every tap on full — hot and cold should be on the correct sides
• Test the shower for pressure and temperature control
• Check all waste outlets drain quickly without pooling
• Look under the basin for leaks while taps are running
• Flush the toilet and check the soil pipe for any visible leaks or odour Ventilation
• Check the extractor fan activates (usually linked to the light switch)
• Ensure the fan runs for an appropriate overrun period after the light is turned off
• Check that any window opens fully and the trickle vent works

Bedrooms

Walls and ceilings

• Check every wall for paint defects: runs, missed patches, uneven coverage, and roller marks
• Inspect all corners and junctions for cracking or poor tape finishing
• Look at ceilings in natural light — shine a torch at a shallow angle to spot imperfections

Windows

• Open and close each window — check locks, handles, and stays all function Check window seals inside and out
• Inspect glazing for scratches, smears, or condensation between double-glazed units (which indicates a failed seal)

Flooring

• Walk the entire floor area — check for creaks, soft spots, or unevenness
• If carpet is fitted, check it is properly stretched with no rippling, and the gripper rods are not exposed at edges
• Check floor-to-skirting junctions for gaps

Built-in storage

• Open and close all wardrobe doors — check alignment, hinges, and handles
• Check shelves are level and firmly supported
• Inspect interior finishing — it should be clean and undamaged

Electrical

• Test every socket and light switch
• Check bedside sockets are positioned sensibly and not behind furniture
• Test any USB charging sockets if fitted

Living Areas

Walls, ceilings, and paint

• Same checks as bedrooms — paint finish, cracking, tape joints, corner beads
• Pay extra attention to the main living room — it is the most visible space

Fireplace (if present)

• Check the surround for damage and correct fitting
• Ensure the flue is clear if it is a working fireplace
• Test any gas fire — check ignition and that it is correctly certified

Flooring

• Check flooring throughout — same process as bedrooms
• If tiled, check for hollow tiles and consistent grout

Doors and windows

• French doors or patio doors: check they open, close, lock, and seal properly
• Check handles on both sides of patio doors
• Inspect the threshold seal at patio door level

Utilities and Services

Boiler and heating

• Turn the heating on and check every radiator heats up fully — feel the entire surface, not just the top
• Bleed any radiators that have cold spots
• Check the boiler fires and the display shows no error codes
• Test the hot water — run a bath and check the water reaches a comfortable temperature within a reasonable time
• Locate the boiler manual and warranty documentation

Electrical

• Check the consumer unit (fuse box) is correctly labelled with every circuit identified
• Test all RCD trip switches — press the test button, they should trip immediately and reset cleanly
• Test the doorbell if fitted
• Check external lighting (front and rear) works

Water

• Locate and test the stopcock — turn it off and on, ensure it moves freely
• Check the water meter is accessible
• Run taps in multiple rooms simultaneously to assess overall pressure
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Press the test button on every smoke alarm — there should be one on every floor as a minimum
• Test the carbon monoxide alarm (required where there is a gas boiler or gas fire)
• Check alarms are correctly positioned (not in kitchens or bathrooms where steam causes false alarms)

Loft (if accessible)

• Check loft insulation is laid correctly and to the required depth (usually 270mm)
• Look for daylight coming through the roof — there should be none
• Check any water tanks, pipes, or ventilation ducts are properly supported and insulated

How to Document Snags Properly

Finding defects is only half the job. How you record them determines whether the developer takes you seriously.

For each snag, capture:

1. Location — room and specific position (e.g. "kitchen, right-hand wall above the worktop, 1 metre from the window")

2. Description — what the defect is, clearly and specifically (e.g. "3mm crack in plaster running diagonally from the top-left corner of the window frame, approximately 20cm long")

3. Photograph — take a close-up showing the defect clearly, plus a wider shot showing its location in the room

4. Severity — cosmetic (paint, minor scratches), functional (things that do not work properly), or structural (cracks, damp, movement)

Top tips for documentation:

• Number every snag — it makes follow-up much easier
• Use blue painter's tape next to each defect so the developer's team can find them during their visit
• Note the date and time of your inspection
• Keep a copy of everything you send

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the inspection process, see our how to do a snagging inspection guide (coming soon).

What to Do with Your Snagging List

Once your inspection is complete:

1. Compile your list into a clear, formatted document — not a text message or a scribbled note. Developers take structured reports seriously.
2. Send it to the developer's aftercare or customer care team in writing (email is best — it creates a paper trail). Address it to the site manager or aftercare manager by name if possible.
3. Set a deadline. Under the New Homes Quality Code, developers should acknowledge your snag list within a reasonable timeframe (typically 5 working days) and provide a timeline for repairs.
4. Follow up. If you do not hear back within a week, chase. Keep copies of all correspondence.
5. Re-inspect. Once the developer says repairs are done, go back and check every item on your list. Do not sign off until you are satisfied.

For more detail on your rights as a new-build buyer, see our guide to new build snagging rights (coming soon).

To understand what counts as a defect and what is within acceptable tolerance, see our common new build defects guide (coming soon).

Make Your Snagging Inspection Easier with Snaggit

This checklist gives you everything you need on paper. But if you want to make the process faster and more professional, Snaggit turns this checklist into a guided, room-by-room inspection on your phone — with photo capture, defect annotations, and a professional snagging report you can send straight to your developer.

No surveyor needed. No paperwork. Just a clear, structured report that developers take seriously.