New-build snagging checklist: room by room

When to snag a new build

There are two moments that matter.

Before completion. If your builder is registered with the New Homes Quality Code, you have the right to a pre-completion inspection by a suitably qualified inspector. It must happen before completion and within five days of the notice to complete being served, unless you and the builder agree an earlier date. Unless a significant defect is found, issues raised are generally dealt with as snagging after you move in, so it won't normally delay completion.

After you move in. Do your own thorough snag in the first few weeks, then keep adding to the list as things show up. You'll usually have two years from completion to report snags to your builder, who must put them right; after that, the warranty generally only covers major structural issues. Don't wait for the end of year two to report everything in one go — report as you find things, in writing, with photos.

Work each room in the same order: ceiling, walls, windows, doors, floor, fixtures, services. Open and close everything that opens. Turn on everything that turns on.

Outside

• Brickwork: no cracks, chips or heavy mortar smears; pointing complete and even; no white staining left un-cleaned.
• Roof: no slipped, cracked or missing tiles; ridge and verge secure (look from the street and the garden).
• Gutters and downpipes: fixed firmly, sloping to outlets, joints sealed, discharging into a drain, not onto paving.
• Air bricks and vents: clear, not buried by soil or paving.
• Damp-proof course visible, with ground or paving kept below it.
• Window and door frames: sealed to brickwork all round, no gaps, cills undamaged and draining away from the wall.
• Paths, drive and patio: level, no rocking slabs, falls away from the house, no standing water after rain.
• Fences, gates and walls: upright, secure, gates open, close and latch.
• Garden: builders' rubble removed, turf laid and level, boundaries match your plan.
• Outside tap, lights and sockets work; meter boxes closed and undamaged.

Entrance, hall and stairs

• Front door opens, closes and locks without force; all keys work; letterbox and draught seals fitted.
• No daylight around the front door when shut.
• Stairs: no creaks or movement in treads, handrail and balusters firm, nosings undamaged.
• Smoke and heat alarms fitted and working (press the test button).
• Under-stairs cupboard: door fits, light works, consumer unit labelled (if it's here).

Every room: walls, ceilings, doors, windows, floors

• Ceilings: no cracks, nail pops, bumps or visible board joints. Shine a torch across at a low angle to reveal them.
• Walls: even paint finish, no roller marks, patches, drips or paint on sockets, switches or glass.
• Corners and edges straight and clean; no gaps where walls meet ceiling or skirting.
• Skirting and architrave: fixed tight, joints filled, mitres neat, painted fully.
• Internal doors: open and close without catching, stay where put, even gaps all round, handles and latches work.
• Windows: open, close and lock; restrictors fitted upstairs; trickle vents work; glass unscratched; no condensation between panes.
• Window boards level, secure and undamaged.
• Floors: no creaks, bounce or dips; carpets and flooring fitted tight to edges with thresholds fixed.
• Sockets and switches: straight, flush, working (try every one with the socket tester or a phone charger).
• Radiators: fixed firmly, warm all over when heating is on, valves turn, no leaks at joints.

Kitchen

• Cupboard doors aligned with even gaps; hinges adjusted; drawers run smoothly and close fully.
• Worktops: no chips, scratches or lifted joints; sealed at walls, sink and hob.
• Sink: taps run hot and cold, no drips, drains quickly, no leaks under the sink (look with the torch).
• Appliances: oven, hob, extractor, fridge, dishwasher and washer each switch on and work; manuals and warranties left.
• Extractor fan vents outside, not just into the cupboard.
• Tiling and splashback: no cracked tiles, grout full and even, clean edges.
• Plinths and end panels fitted; cooker hood and wall units level.

Bathrooms and en-suites

• Silicone complete and neat around bath, shower tray, basin and WC, no gaps or smears.
• Shower: good pressure and temperature, screen sealed, no water escaping onto the floor, tray drains fully.
• Bath fills and drains; panel secure; no creaking or movement when you stand in it.
• WC flushes fully and refills, seat secure, pan fixed to the floor, no leaks at the back.
• Basin and taps secure, no drips; wastes drain freely.
• Extractor fan works and runs on after the light goes off (if designed to).
• Tiles: level, no cracks or hollow-sounding tiles (tap gently), grout complete.
• Towel rail heats up; shaver socket works.

Bedrooms

• Fitted wardrobes: doors aligned, runners smooth, shelves and rails secure.
• Window restrictors fitted and can be released for escape.
• TV and data points where the plan says, faceplates straight.
• No draughts at windows; room heats evenly.

Loft and services

• Loft hatch opens, closes and seals; ladder fitted if promised.
• Insulation laid evenly with no gaps; nothing compressed or missing at the edges.
• No daylight through the roof; no damp patches on timbers.
• Water tanks (if any) lidded and insulated; pipes lagged.
• Boiler or heat pump works, controls and thermostat set up, you've been shown how to use them.
• Consumer unit circuits labelled; stopcock located and turns.
• Ventilation system (MVHR or extract) running, filters accessible.

Garage and parking

• Garage door opens, closes and locks; remote works if powered.
• Garage floor finished, no large cracks; lights and sockets work.
• Parking spaces as per plan and marked if allocated.

Reporting what you find

Put every snag in writing to the builder's customer care team, one list, numbered, with a photo for each. Say exactly where it is and what's wrong ("Bathroom, silicone missing along back edge of bath"), not "bathroom needs sorting". Keep a copy with the date you sent it. If items aren't dealt with, a dated written record with photos is what you'll need if you escalate — for builders registered with the New Homes Quality Code, that can include the New Homes Ombudsman.

Our guide to writing a snagging report shows how to word each item so it gets fixed first time.

Questions