There's a common misconception that new build properties don't need surveying. "It's brand new — what could possibly be wrong with it?" I hear this fairly regularly, and I understand the logic. But in practice, new build properties routinely have defects — sometimes minor cosmetic issues, sometimes more significant problems with drainage, insulation or structural elements.
What Is a Snagging Survey?
A snagging survey is a detailed inspection of a newly built property, carried out before legal completion or within the initial defects period. It's designed to identify any issues — from cosmetic snags like poorly fitting doors and unfinished paintwork to more structural concerns like inadequate insulation, drainage problems or incomplete fire stopping.
A thorough snagging survey produces a detailed schedule of defects that the developer is contractually obliged to address under the terms of your sale agreement and, in most cases, your new build warranty (NHBC Buildmark, Premier Guarantee, etc.).
What Do We Typically Find?
In our snagging surveys across Crawley's new developments — including Forge Wood and other modern estates — we routinely find:
- Poorly finished internal joinery — gaps, misaligned door frames, skirting boards not properly fixed
- Inadequate or incomplete silicone sealing around baths, showers and kitchen units
- Incomplete or poorly applied decoration — missed areas, paint drips, uneven application
- Drainage issues — incorrectly fall gutters, blocked or misaligned drainage
- Thermal bridging — cold areas caused by inadequate insulation, often detectable by thermal imaging
- Incomplete fire stopping at service penetrations
- Inadequate ventilation to roof voids and subfloor areas
- External finishes — poorly pointed brickwork, incomplete paving, boundary fencing issues
When to Commission a Snagging Survey
Timing is critical. Ideally, the survey should be carried out before legal completion — this gives you the strongest leverage to require the developer to address issues before you move in. However, many developers refuse access before completion, in which case the survey should be carried out as soon as possible after completion, while you're still within the initial defect reporting period under your warranty.
Doesn't My NHBC Warranty Cover This?
New build warranties like NHBC Buildmark provide protection, but they have limitations. The warranty covers major structural defects, but cosmetic and minor issues are generally only covered within the first two years under the developer's own defects liability. After that, you're largely on your own. A comprehensive snagging survey identifies every issue before your initial defects period runs out.
Is a Snagging Survey Worth It?
Absolutely. The cost of a new build snagging survey is typically a few hundred pounds — modest relative to the purchase price of a new home. But the issues it identifies can be significant. We've prepared snagging lists with defects totalling £3,000–£8,000 of remediation work that the developer was required to address. Without the survey, many of these would have gone unreported and eventually become the buyer's cost to fix.
To book a new build snagging survey in Crawley or West Sussex, contact our team today.