New Build Snagging Reports

From October 2022 buyers of brand-new homes can benefit from the formation of the 

New Home Quality Board (NHQB) not only does it put the buyer at the heart of the new build process and increases your protection in the event of any disputes with the developer, it allows you the time to have an independent inspection undertaken on your new house, called a Snagging Report.

When buying a new-build property you would expect everything to be pristine. However, the speed at which developers build homes these days together with the hundreds of tradesmen that will have constructed them, often leads to defects and issues, throughout.

Although most new-build properties are covered by a 10-year structural warranty, the NHBC (National House Building Council) being the most common of these, you only have a two-year time period to report issues with fixtures. fittings, cosmetic damage and any other remedial work. 

During the Snagging Report, I will check every accessible area of the property.  

This type of report will involve inspecting:

Windows, Ceilings, Walls,  Wall tiling, Kitchen fittings, Bathroom fittings, Pipes, Radiators, Heating, Fireplaces, Doors & frames, Staircases, Appliances, Loft area, Flooring, General woodwork, Skirting boards & architraves, Brickwork, External pipes, Outside drainage, External paintwork, External Roof and Walls, Fences & gates, Drives & pathways, Gardens, Outbuildings and the overall finish and quality of the workmanship. 

What you need to know:

• Only members of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and the RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors) are permitted to undertake Pre-Completion Inspections under the NHQB guidelines.
• The report will provide information about the fabric of the property.
• The report will list issues that need the attention of the developer, including photographs.
• Separate reports can be provided for individual trades.
• From May 2023 the developer must allow you to have an independent report undertaken on your new build, this is usually done between the exchange of contracts and before legal completion.
• The developer agrees to address the issues reported within set timescales (if signed upto the NHQB code)

It is very important to remember the following points.

• A bank valuation is not a snagging report or a survey, people often get confused between mortgage valuations and surveys. A mortgage valuation just assesses whether or not the property is a good investment for your lender. Often with new builds, they don't even visit the property.
• The warranty provider (NHBC, Premier etc) do not inspect every property, they will at best inspect a small sample of properties and offer an insurance-backed warranty.
• The build warranty does not cover fixtures, fittings, cosmetic damage and remedial works.
• Any defects or issues with the property are the responsibility of the developer for the first two-years.
• Only members of the RICS and RPSA are accepted to undertake snagging reports under the NHQB guidelines.

When you are ready to book a Snagging Report just contact us, we will then ask you for some basic information about you and the property you're buying. Then leave the rest to us!