New-build snagging checklist: room by room

A new home should be finished, but few are perfect. Snagging means walking through it before you move in, recording every defect and unfinished job, and giving the developer the chance to put them right. Here's a room-by-room checklist you can print or follow on your phone.

Before you start

• Go in daylight. Natural light shows paint finish, scratches and uneven surfaces far better than lamps.
• Take a torch, a tape measure, a phone charger or socket tester, a small spirit level and a pencil.
• Take a friend. A second pair of eyes, and someone to hold the end of the tape.
• Photograph as you go. Each problem needs a close photo and a wider one showing where it is.
• Note the room and wall for every item, so the builder can find it without asking.
• Don't be afraid to be thorough. Developers expect a list.

Outside

• Roof: missing, cracked or slipped tiles, and flashing around the chimney
• Gutters and downpipes: fixed firmly, sloping to the outlet, no drips at the joints
• Brickwork: even pointing, no cracks or loose bricks, no mortar splashes
• Windows and doors from outside: frames sealed, no gaps or damage
• Driveway, paths and patio: level, no pooling water, drained away from the house
• Drains and manholes: covers fitted, nothing blocked
• Fencing, gates and boundaries: match the plans and close properly
• Garden: levelled and finished as promised

The front door and hall

• Front door opens, closes and locks smoothly, and the letterbox, handles and spyhole work
• Hinges, locks and keys: the right number of keys, all working
• Smoke alarms fitted and working
• Floor level and no loose boards or squeaks
• Paint: even, with no drips, patches or brush marks
• Light switches and sockets work, and the consumer unit is labelled

Kitchen

• Cupboard doors and drawers align, open and close properly
• Worktops: no chips or scratches, joints neat and sealed
• Tap: runs hot and cold, no drips, and the water drains away freely
• Appliances: switch on, and check you have the manuals
• Extractor fan works and vents outside
• Tiles and splashbacks: no cracks, even grout
• Sockets: all work, and are where the plan says

Bathrooms and en-suites

• Toilet flushes properly and refills, with no rocking or leaks
• Taps and shower: hot and cold work, decent pressure, no leaks under the sink or bath
• Silicone sealant neat, and no gaps around the bath, basin or shower tray
• Tiles level with even grout, none cracked or loose
• Extractor fan works, and the window or vent is clear
• Door closes and locks, and the floor drains away from the shower
• Mirrors and fittings fixed firmly

Bedrooms and living rooms

• Walls and ceilings: look along the surface in side-light for bumps, cracks and uneven plaster
• Paint finish even, no stains or marks
• Skirting boards and architraves: tight to the wall, neatly joined
• Doors: open and close freely, latch and don't rub on the frame or the carpet
• Windows: open, close, lock and seal, and the glass is free of scratches
• Radiators: fixed firmly, warm up, valves work
• Sockets and switches: every one tested
• Floors: carpets fitted neatly, laminate or wood level with no gaps or creaks
• Fitted wardrobes: doors hang straight

Loft and utilities

• Loft: insulation laid evenly, hatch fits, and no daylight showing through the roof
• Boiler: working, with a certificate, and the pressure looks normal
• Consumer unit: circuits labelled, and a certificate provided
• Meters: note the readings for gas, electric and water on the day you move in
• Stopcock: you know where it is, and it turns

Safety checks

• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted and working
• Electrical and gas safety certificates provided
• Windows above ground floor: restrictors where needed
• Stair handrails firm, no loose banisters
• Any glass in doors or low windows looks suitable

The paperwork

Ask the developer or your solicitor for:

• the building control completion certificate
• the warranty documents (and what's covered, and for how long)
• gas and electrical safety certificates
• the energy performance certificate
• manuals and warranties for appliances
• a plan showing where services and stopcocks are

How to report what you find

1. Put it in writing. An email with a clear list is better than a conversation.
2. Group by room, with photos, so it's easy to work through.
3. Number the items, so you can refer to each one.
4. Date everything, and keep a copy.
5. Follow up. Ask for a date by which each item will be fixed, and re-check them.

We've written more on how to write a snagging report that gets things fixed, and on the difference between a snag list and a punch list.

Snagging on a phone

SnagLine is built so you can walk the home, photograph each snag, mark it up, pin it on the floor plan and send a PDF report. It's aimed at professionals as well as buyers. See the page for landlords and inspectors.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Check your contract and warranty for what applies to your home.