The Importance of a Snagging Report: Why Your New-Build Home Needs One
“A survey in March 2024 found that 95% of new homeowners noticed snags in their homes.”
Buying a new-build home is often marketed as a hassle-free experience. Everything is new, modern, build to modern standards, and under warranty—so what could go wrong? Unfortunately, even the best construction can have “snags” and defects, and that's where a detailed snagging report becomes crucial. In this post, we’ll explore why every new-build homeowner should prioritise creating a snagging report and how it can save you from future headaches.
A snagging report - sometimes called a defect report, a punch list, or many other things - is a detailed document listing all the issues, flaws, or "snags" found in your new-build home. These issues can range from cosmetic concerns, like poorly painted walls, to more serious problems, such as plumbing leaks or structural problems.
Why do I need a snagging report?
1. Builders Have Deadlines, Too
Most new-build homes come with a warranty, often lasting 10 years. However, some issues are only covered in the first two years. A snagging report ensures you catch these problems early while your builder is obligated to fix them. It’s important to remember that they don’t need to be fixed within two years, but they do need to be reported within that time frame.
Example:
If you find a crack in your ceiling within the first year, the builder will likely cover it. Wait too long, and you may end up footing the bill.
2. Prevent Small Problems from Becoming Big Ones
A dripping tap or a trickling toilet might seem minor, but left unchecked, they could lead to water damage or increased water costs. A snagging report ensures that all issues, big or small, are documented and addressed before they escalate.
Example:
A poorly sealed window might not bother you now, but in winter, drafts can significantly increase heating costs.
3. Improve the Value of Your Home
Even if you don’t plan to live in your new-build home forever, a well-maintained property is far easier to sell. Having a snagging report ensures your home is in great shape, free from lingering issues that might deter potential buyers. For a lot of people, this is a long-term consideration. But a consideration nonetheless.
Example:
Buyers are less likely to negotiate the price down if your home doesn’t have obvious defects like squeaky floors or misaligned doors.
4. Peace of Mind
Knowing your home has been thoroughly inspected and all issues addressed gives you confidence that your investment is sound. A snagging report also provides a record of issues that were resolved, which can be useful if disputes arise later. And, after all, you’ve paid a handsome price for this house to be built from scratch. The developer had a blank canvas to work from and there are few - if any - legitimate reasons why it should be of poor quality.
How to Create a Snagging Report
1. Start Early
The moment you move into your new home, start noting issues. Builders are more likely to act quickly if problems are flagged during the "snagging" or initial inspection period. Some builders will provide a 7-day snagging sheet, or even a 30-day one. This is commonplace but don’t be confused into thinking that you only have 7 days or 30 days to report issues - you don’t!
2. Be Thorough
Walk carefully through every room and inspect the walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows. Test every appliance and fixture.
3. Use Snaggit to Simplify the Process
Manual note-taking can be time-consuming and disorganised. Unfortunately, developer Customer Care teams on site lose sheets of paper and information. Some builders don’t even have internal systems where they log these snags and rely entirely on people on-site and bits of paper. With Snaggit, you can easily log snags (observations), take photos, and generate a professional-grade report in minutes. It’s designed to make snagging hassle-free and efficient.
The Snagging app for iOS and Android. Professional-grade snagging reports.
“Research indicates that the average new-build home has about 157 snagging issues, up from 80 in 2005. This is a 96% increase over 15 years.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting Too Long: Don’t delay! The longer you wait, the harder it may be to get defects fixed for free.
Relying Only on Visual Checks: Some defects, like poor insulation or water pressure issues, aren’t immediately visible. Test everything.
Not Documenting Properly: Without clear records (photos, descriptions), your claims may not be taken seriously.
Conclusion
A snagging report is not just a list of complaints; it’s an essential tool for protecting your investment and ensuring your new-build home is everything you dreamed it would be. Tools like Snaggit make this process easy, efficient, and effective. Don’t leave it to chance—log your defects, take control, and get the home you deserve.
Additionally, you could also consider using a professional snagging company to snag the property for you. Snagging companies generally hire experience building professionals who have invaluable experience in this area. They are also capable of doing a more in-depth, intrusive inspection that can often involve checking for the correct insulation and thermal imaging. Although, all of that does come with a cost with professional snagging company prices starting from ~£315 for a two bedroom property with additional charges for services like thermal imaging.
How you get the snagging report doesn’t really matter; but just make sure you get it and hold your builder accountable. If you would like to use Snaggit for your snagging lists, tracking and report generation, you can get started for free on the links below. Unlimited reporting and tracking for just £14.99.
