The short answer
A snagging survey is an independent inspection of a new-build home that records defects, unfinished work and poor-quality finishing in a schedule the developer can act on. It focuses on workmanship and completion rather than the structural condition matters covered by a building survey of an older property.
Organise observations by location and element, describe them clearly and distinguish defects from maintenance or matters needing deeper diagnosis.
Key considerations
What you receive
A photographed snag schedule, numbered by room and element
What you receive
Plain-English defect descriptions the developer can action
What you receive
Priority notes separating urgent defects, tolerance issues and maintenance items
Schedule
Each item is numbered, located, photographed and described in plain, actionable language.
What to do next
Record the inspection stage before quotation.
Record each observation with a location and photograph.
Separate priorities and follow-up routes.
Issue the schedule through the developer's recognised customer-care process.
Turn the schedule into a clear follow-up list
Before instruction, send the property address, developer and plot details, your inspection stage, any access rules and photographs of defects already noticed. Agree whether the appointment is before completion, after handover or near the end of the defects period, and confirm what can be accessed. A useful schedule identifies each item by number, room or element, photograph and a plain-English description so it can be located again.
Keep urgent defects distinct from tolerance and maintenance matters when discussing priorities. Present the schedule through the developer customer-care process, using the agreed item references when discussing what remains open. Where movement, drainage, damp or another concern needs deeper diagnosis, the next step may be a separate specialist instruction rather than a longer snag list.
HCS prepares evidence and advice on the process; it does not handle warranty claims on your behalf. If a return inspection is agreed, its purpose is to verify which reported items have been closed. Use the snagging service page for the appointment scope, and check the developer and warranty provider routes before seeking escalation.
Related services
Sources and standards
Related questions
When should I book a snagging inspection — before completion or within the two-year defects period?
Ideally before legal completion, if the developer permits a pre-completion inspection - the New Homes Quality Code has made this more common. Failing that, as soon as possible after handover, and again shortly before the defects or rectification period ends so latent items are caught while the developer is still obliged to fix them.
Do I need a snagging survey if the developer has NHBC?
A new-build warranty does not make a new home defect-free. If the home has NHBC Buildmark, NHBC describes the builder warranty period as usually the first two years from the policy start date. We do not act as warranty claims handlers; we prepare clear evidence so your developer customer care route, warranty provider or adviser can see what was found and what remains open.
How much does a snagging survey in London cost?
From £350 + VAT for one-bedroom apartments — fixed fee by bedroom count, confirmed before you instruct.
Related guidance
Local Level 3 building survey guides
- Rebuild Cost Assessments in Finsbury Park for Insurance
- Party Wall Surveyor in Fitzrovia: Agreements, Notices and Awards
- Level 2 Homebuyers Survey in Fitzrovia
- Building surveys in Fitzrovia: choose the right report
- Damp, Crack & Building Defect Surveys in Fitzrovia
- Dilapidations Surveyors in Forest Hill: Schedules, Claims & Lease-End Advice
Savas Bulduk
BSc (Hons) MRICS, Director & Chartered Building Surveyor.
Writes on Building surveying, Fire safety and facade, External wall systems, Technical due diligence, Contract administration. See the full team profile.
Ask about New-Build Snagging
Building safety & leasehold briefings
Request building safety and leasehold briefing updates from Hampstead Chartered Surveyors & Building Consultancy.