New build snagging: your rights and what to look for

5 min read · June 2026

Completing on a new build is not the end of the process — it's the beginning of a phase where you'll discover what the developer got wrong. Snagging is the inspection and correction of defects in a newly built home, and it's something every new build buyer should take seriously from day one.

What snagging actually covers

A snag is any defect or incomplete item in a newly built property. In practice, that means:

• Paintwork runs, drips, or missed sections
• Doors and windows that don't close or seal properly
• Tiles that are cracked, uneven, or poorly grouted
• Gaps around skirting boards, coving, or architraves
• Electrical sockets or switches that aren't flush
• Radiators that don't heat properly
• Damaged or scratched kitchen units, worktops, or appliances
• Incomplete outdoor areas or drainage issues

The average new build has dozens of snags. A thorough independent snagging survey on a three-bedroom house typically identifies 50–150 items.

Your warranty: what the NHBC covers

Most new builds come with an NHBC Buildmark warranty, which works in two phases:

• Years 1–2: The developer is responsible for fixing defects that arise from their failure to build to the NHBC's standards. This includes most snagging issues.
• Years 3–10: NHBC provides insurance cover for major structural defects — things like subsidence, roof failure, or structural movement.

The two-year developer responsibility period is your primary protection. Report defects promptly and in writing. Keep records of everything.

The New Homes Quality Code

Most large developers are registered with the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) and are bound by the New Homes Quality Code. This gives buyers rights including:

• A two-year snagging period with the developer responsible for remediation
• Access to an independent resolution service (the New Homes Ombudsman) if the developer won't act
• A cooling-off period of 14 days after reservation

Check whether your developer is registered — ask before you exchange. If they're not a member, your protections depend more heavily on the NHBC warranty and your contract terms.

Getting an independent snagging survey

An independent snagging surveyor will inspect your home before or shortly after completion and produce a detailed report of defects. This typically costs £300–£600 depending on property size.

Critically, try to get access before you complete — some developers allow this, others resist it. A surveyor on site before handover gives you documented defects to address immediately rather than after you've moved in.

If the developer won't allow a pre-completion inspection, book one in the first few weeks after moving in and submit the report formally to the developer's aftercare team.

What to do if the developer won't fix it

Escalate in this order:

1. Report in writing to the developer's aftercare team (email, with a read receipt if possible)
2. Escalate to the developer's head office or customer complaints team
3. Contact the New Homes Ombudsman (if the developer is NHQB registered)
4. Raise a claim with NHBC directly under the Buildmark warranty
5. Seek independent legal advice if significant structural issues are unresolved