Find a Snagging Surveyor
A Snagging Survey identifies defects, incomplete work, and quality issues in newly built or recently converted properties. It helps buyers ensure that their new home meets expected standards before final completion or during the developer’s warranty period.
What Is a Snagging Survey?
What Does a Snagging Survey Cover?
A Snagging Survey typically covers internal finishes, fixtures, fittings, and visible building elements.
It also considers workmanship quality, alignment, operation of doors and windows, and
basic service installations where accessible. The survey focuses on
quality and completeness rather than structural design or valuation.
When Is a Snagging Survey Needed?
A Snagging Survey is usually carried out just before legal completion, shortly after moving in, or during the initial warranty or defects liability period. It is commonly arranged for new-build homes, newly converted flats, and recently refurbished properties.
Timing the survey correctly helps ensure that identified issues can be rectified by the developer at no extra cost.
Who Needs an EPC Certificate?
EPC certificates are commonly required by homeowners selling their property, landlords renting out
residential or commercial buildings, and developers completing new builds. Letting agents
and estate agents also rely on EPC certificates to ensure
properties are legally compliant before marketing.
Anyone responsible for the sale, lease, or construction of a
property may be required to obtain an EPC certificate.
How the Snagging Survey Process Works & What the Report Includes
Who Carries Out a Snagging Survey?
Snagging Surveys are carried out by experienced surveyors or building professionals
with knowledge of construction standards and new-build practices.
Using an independent professional ensures an
objective assessment and a clear, reliable report.
Snagging Survey FAQs
Yes. The report is designed to be shared with the developer or contractor. It clearly lists issues in plain language, often with photographs, making it easy to request remedial work.
No. Snagging surveys focus on workmanship, defects, and incomplete items. They do not include a property valuation or assessment of market value.
Developers are generally expected to address valid defects identified within the warranty or defects liability period. The exact obligations depend on the contract and warranty provider.
Look for an independent professional with experience in new-build inspections, clear reporting, and transparent pricing. This directory allows you to compare surveyors and request quotes easily.
Snagging surveys often identify issues such as poor finishes, uneven surfaces, faulty fittings, misaligned doors or windows, inadequate sealing, and incomplete work. They may also highlight minor safety concerns or workmanship issues that require correction.
Snagging surveys are most commonly used for new-build properties, but they can also be carried out on newly converted or recently refurbished homes where work has been completed by a developer or contractor.
The ideal time is just before legal completion or shortly after moving in, during the developer’s warranty or defects liability period. This allows identified issues to be rectified by the developer without additional cost to the buyer.
Snagging survey costs vary depending on property size and complexity. Typical price ranges are:
Apartments and small houses: £300 – £500
Medium to large houses: £500 – £800
Large or complex properties: £800 – £1,200+
Prices may vary between surveyors, so comparing quotes is recommended.
The cost is influenced by the size of the property, number of rooms, complexity of finishes, and whether communal areas are included. New-build houses with multiple levels or bespoke features may take longer to inspect.
Most snagging surveys take between 2 and 4 hours to complete. Larger properties or developments with communal areas may require additional time.
The surveyor will carry out visual and basic operational checks of visible services, such as switches, sockets, taps, and fittings. Full testing of services is not included unless specifically agreed.