How to Write a Snagging List: A Room-by-Room Checklist for New Build Buyers

Why a Systematic Approach Matters

Walking into a new build and noting down whatever catches your eye is not snagging — it is a cursory glance. A proper snagging list is methodical, exhaustive, and documented. Developers rely on buyers overlooking issues; a structured checklist closes that gap.

The approach below follows a room-by-room sequence, but within each room the inspection follows the same order: ceiling → walls → floor → windows → doors → electrics → heating → finishes. This consistency means you are less likely to skip a category under the distraction of something else.

Bring a torch (for inside cupboards and under stairs), a spirit level (check door frames and kitchen units), a socket tester (plug-in devices from any hardware shop, under £10), a phone for photographs, and a notepad. Allow at least 3–4 hours for a 3-bedroom house.

External Inspection — Before You Step Inside

• Roof: Are ridge tiles bedded and pointed correctly? Are all slates or tiles laid evenly without cracks?
• Fascias and soffits: Correctly fitted, painted, no gaps at joints?
• Gutters and downpipes: Securely fixed, falls correct, no paint splashes, end caps fitted?
• Brickwork / render: No cracks, efflorescence, or mortar smears on face brickwork?
• Windows from outside: Frames clean, sealed at reveals, trickle vents present and operating?
• Driveway / paths: Correctly graded away from the building, no cracked or sunken blocks?
• Garden: Turf laid, fencing secure and upright, gate hinges and latches functioning?

Hall and Staircase

• Ceiling: flat, no ridges at plasterboard joints, cornice (if specified) neatly mitred?
• Walls: paint finish even, no roller marks, skimming smooth with no trowel lines?
• Floor: tiles or engineered flooring laid square, grout lines even, no lippage between tiles?
• Stairs: every tread solid underfoot (no creaks), balustrade balusters evenly spaced and secure, newel post firm, handrail continuous?
• Door to under-stairs cupboard (if present): opens and closes freely, latch engages properly?

Living Room and Dining Room

• Ceiling: no cracks, stains, or blow holes in plaster?
• Walls: paint coverage complete to corners and behind radiators?
• Skirting boards: level, mitre joints tight, no gaps at floor, painted on all faces?
• Window reveals: plaster returned squarely, no gaps at frame, silicone bead neat and unbroken?
• Electric sockets: all level, flush to wall, socket tester confirms wiring correct?
• TV point and data points (if specified): present and functional?
• Radiator: securely bracketed, valves present both ends, no air locks?

Kitchen

The kitchen is typically the highest-value room for snag density. Check:

• Unit alignment: all base unit tops level (use your spirit level), wall unit bottoms level and aligned?
• Door gaps: gaps between cabinet doors consistent (aim for 2–3 mm), doors hanging square?
• Drawer runners: smooth operation, fully extending, soft-close mechanism functioning?
• Worktop joins: tight, silicone bead neat, no daylight visible at upstands?
• Tiling and grouting: tiles plumb and level, grout lines even, no cracked tiles, grout raked neatly at junctions with worktop?
• Appliances: each installed appliance working through a full cycle before completion?
• Plumbing: hot and cold under sink, waste trap correctly fitted, no drips under dishwasher connections?
• Extractor: ducting connected, fan operating, grease filter present?

Bathroom, En Suite, and WC

• Tiling: tiles plumb, no lippage, grout uniform, silicone bead unbroken at bath/shower tray joints?
• Bath or shower tray: level, no flex when stood upon, waste sealed?
• Shower enclosure: glass panels vertical, door seals present and contacting correctly, hinges straight?
• Sanitaryware: WC pan and cistern fixed to floor and wall respectively, seat hinge tight, flush mechanism functioning, no movement when sat upon?
• Basin: secure to wall or vanity unit, taps operating both hot and cold, waste plug engaging?
• Chrome fittings: no scratches, swarf from installation removed?
• Extractor fan: wired to light (as specified), grille present and unobstructed?
• Heated towel rail: hot throughout, no air lock?

Bedrooms

• Fitted wardrobe doors: aligned, gap consistent, handles fitted squarely?
• Loft hatch (master bedroom or landing): opens freely, hatch board present, insulation beyond?
• TV and data points as specified?
• All sockets level and correctly wired?

Loft Space

If accessible, inspect with a torch:

• Insulation laid to correct depth (270 mm mineral wool is current Building Regulations minimum)?
• No debris left by trades?
• Roof structure visible and undamaged?
• Water tank (if present) lagged and overflow directed correctly?

External Doors

• Open and close smoothly without sticking?
• Weatherstrip compresses fully when closed?
• Multi-point lock engages all bolts?
• Threshold strip correctly fitted, no gap at floor level?

Documenting Your List

For every defect, note: location, description, and photograph. Number your items so you can cross-reference them with the developer's response. Submit your list in writing — email creates a timestamp and paper trail. Our [new build snagging calculator](/new-build-snagging-calculator) can help you estimate the remedial cost of the items you find and prioritise which to chase first.

Property Passport UK

Use Property Passport UK to organise Documents, Media, Tasks, Events, and Flags for a Property, and to share a Public Passport when you want buyers or permitted Stakeholders to see selected facts without exposing private Documents.