New Build Snagging Surveys in Derby & Derbyshire: What to Check Before You Complete

What Is a New Build Snagging Survey?

A snagging survey is a detailed inspection of a newly built home. Its purpose is to identify defects, poor finish, and items that fall short of the building specification or regulations. The term “snagging” comes from the construction industry, where a “snag” is any item of incomplete or defective work that needs to be corrected before the project is signed off.

Unlike a standard homebuyer survey or structural survey, a snagging inspection is specific to new build homes. It looks at workmanship quality, fit and finish, and compliance with the developer’s promised specification. It also covers more significant issues such as structural problems, damp, and drainage faults.

New builds in Derby and Derbyshire are subject to the same standards as anywhere else in England. But even well-regarded developers deliver homes with defects. Research by consumer groups finds that new build buyers report issues in the weeks and months after moving in — many of which could have been spotted and resolved before completion if an independent inspection had taken place.

Why Do New Builds Have Defects?

Construction sites operate under time pressure. Developers often have contractual deadlines tied to quarterly sales targets and incentive schemes, and trades work in sequence — meaning one team finishes before the next begins, often under tight timescales. This can result in:

• Poorly finished plasterwork, skirtings, and door frames
• Incorrect tile laying or grout quality
• Scratched glass, damaged fixtures, or misaligned cabinetry
• Incorrectly installed insulation
• Drainage and plumbing issues
• Gaps in seals around windows, doors, and baths
• Missing ventilation or incorrect fan installation
• Structural cracks (particularly above lintels and at ceiling junctions)

Many of these issues are relatively minor to fix — but only if they are identified and reported before completion. Once you have legally completed and moved in, you are still entitled to have defects repaired under the developer’s warranty, but the process can be time-consuming.

What Does a Snagging Survey Cover?

A thorough snagging survey will inspect the property inside and out, across all rooms and all accessible elements. The main areas covered typically include:

Exterior

Roof covering, ridge tiles, gutters, and downpipes. Brickwork, pointing, and render. Window and door frames, seals, and drainage. Paths, driveways, fencing, and boundary walls.

Interior — General

Wall and ceiling finishes, including cracks and patching. Skirting boards, architraves, and door frames. Flooring installation and fixings. Staircase, balustrades, and handrails. Loft hatch and visible loft space.

Kitchen and Bathrooms

Worktop joints and cabinet alignment. Tiling, grouting, and silicone seals. Plumbing connections for taps, showers, and sanitary ware. Extractor fans and ventilation.

Services

Electrical installation, sockets, and switches. Heating system controls and radiator balance. Boiler commissioning and certification. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm placement and function.

Can I Do My Own Snagging Inspection?

You are entitled to walk through your new build home before completion. Many buyers carry out their own informal inspection with a checklist. However, a professional snagging surveyor brings experience, a trained eye, and the credibility of an independent report that the developer is more likely to take seriously.

A surveyor will typically spot things that a non-expert would miss: incorrectly installed cavity wall insulation, ventilation gaps blocked by mortar, incorrectly hung doors, or structural cracking that looks cosmetic but is not. An independent written report also gives you a clear record of what was reported and when — which can be important if disputes arise later.

Is a Snagging Survey Different from a RICS Survey?

Yes. A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey is designed for older properties and assesses their overall condition, identifying defects and risks for a buyer considering purchase. A snagging survey is specifically designed for new build homes and focuses on identifying workmanship defects and specification shortfalls in a recently completed property.

If you are buying a second-hand property in Derbyshire, a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey is the appropriate inspection. For a new build, a snagging inspection is the right tool. Some firms offer both services, and a RICS-qualified surveyor who also offers snagging inspections is generally a good choice.

New Build Warranty: What Does NHBC Buildmark Cover?

Most new build homes in England and Wales come with an NHBC Buildmark warranty, or an equivalent warranty from providers such as Premier Guarantee or LABC Warranty. These warranties provide defects and damage cover for ten years from the date of legal completion.

In the first two years, the developer is responsible for repairing defects under the warranty. From years three to ten, the warranty covers major structural defects. It is important to understand that the warranty is not a substitute for a snagging inspection — the warranty only covers defects that are reported and claimed under the correct process, and the developer’s two-year period begins from completion, not from when you move in.

Spotting and recording defects promptly, ideally before completion, gives you the clearest possible route to getting them fixed at the developer’s cost.