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Snagging

New Build Snagging List

100+ item room-by-room snagging checklist for UK new build homeowners. Print and take on site, or check items off on screen before your legal completion.

New Build Snagging List

100+ item room-by-room snagging checklist for UK new build homeowners. Print and take on site, or check items off on screen before your legal completion.

How to use this checklist: Walk through the property systematically — exterior first, then room by room. Tick each item, note any snags in the space provided at the end, and photograph every issue. Do not sign your legal completion paperwork or hand over your reservation fee balance until all snags are either rectified or formally listed on a defect schedule agreed with your developer.

📋 Before you arrive

Obtain a copy of your floor plan and check room dimensions on site

Bring your reservation agreement and any agreed specification documents

Charge your phone fully — you will take a large number of photos

Bring a small torch for airing cupboards, under-sink areas, and loft hatches

Bring a spirit level to check floor and worktop levelness

Allow at least 3 hours — do not rush or let the site manager hurry you

Confirm whether your independent snagging inspector is attending

Bring a notepad or use the notes section at the end of this checklist

Check the weather — inspect gutters and drainage after or during rainfall if possible

🏠 Exterior

Brickwork — no cracked, chipped, or misaligned bricks; mortar joints consistent

Render — no cracks, crazing, hollows, or uneven surface finish

External walls — no efflorescence (white mineral staining) on brickwork or blockwork

Weep holes in cavity brickwork — present, clear, and unobstructed

Damp-proof course (DPC) — visible at correct height above ground level

Roof — inspect from ground for missing, slipped, or cracked tiles or slates

Ridge tiles — all secured, no gaps in mortar or dry-verge clips missing

Verge and eaves details — bargeboards and fascias painted, no gaps

Soffits — complete, no gaps, vents fitted where specified

Gutters — correct fall toward downpipes, no sagging sections

Downpipes — connected at top and bottom, no gaps in joints, secured to wall

Downpipes connect to below-ground drainage — lift cover and check if possible

All external windows — fitted squarely, no gaps between frame and reveal

All external doors — operate correctly, lock securely, weather seal in place

Mastic (silicone) seals around all external frames — continuous, no gaps or voids

Double-glazed units — no condensation between panes (indicates failed seal)

Front door — operates smoothly, letter box fitted (if specified), threshold strip present

Driveway — no cracks, sunken areas, or trip hazards; drainage falls away from garage

Paths and paving — level, no lips between slabs, joints consistent

Fencing and boundary walls — complete, upright, no panels missing or loose

Gate(s) — operate correctly, latch securely

Turf or topsoil — laid where specified, no large bare patches or puddling areas

Manhole covers — correctly located, flush with surrounding surface, cover fits properly

External lighting — fittings installed and operational

Garden tap — installed where specified and operational

Garage door — operates smoothly, auto-reverse safety function works, remote supplied

🍳 Kitchen

Fitted kitchen — all unit doors and drawer fronts aligned horizontally and vertically

Soft-close hinges and drawer runners — functioning on every door and drawer

Cabinet interiors — no damage, shelves level and secured

Worktop — no chips, scratches, or joins that have not been sealed; edge profiles consistent

Worktop — check level with spirit level along full length

Worktop to wall junction — mastic seal continuous, no gaps

Upstand or splashback tiles — straight, grout consistent in colour and depth, no cracked tiles

Sink — installed level, sealed to worktop with mastic, no movement when pressed

Taps — operational, no drips, hot and cold correctly labelled

Under-sink plumbing — no drips at joints, waste pipe connected and secured, no odour

Dishwasher — connected, operational; run a short cycle and check for leaks underneath

Washing machine connection — outlet and inlet hoses connected (if kitchen location)

Oven — all elements or gas burners operational, door seal intact, oven light works

Hob — all rings or burners operational, control knobs smooth

Rangehood or extractor — operational, filters in place, ducted to exterior or recirculating as specified

Integrated fridge/freezer — fitted flush with adjacent units, seal intact

Power sockets above worktop — at correct height, plates flush to wall, operational

Kitchen lighting — all downlights or fittings operational

Ceiling and walls — no paint defects, plaster waves, or staining

Skirting boards — straight, mitre joints tight, painted, no gaps at floor

Coving — continuous, no gaps or cracks at internal corners

Flooring — no chips, lippage between tiles, squeaks in timber or laminate; grout consistent

🛋️ Living and dining areas

Walls — inspect under raking light from windows for plasterboard waves, dents, or paint defects

Ceiling — flat and even, no water staining, no cracking at joins or junctions

Coving — straight and consistent, no gaps or cracks at internal and external corners

Skirting boards — consistent height throughout, mitre joins tight, painted, no gaps at floor

Flooring — no chips, gaps between boards, squeaks, or lippage between tiles

Floor-to-wall junction — mastic or beading consistent where required

Windows — open and lock correctly, handles operate smoothly

Window reveals — plaster square and painted, no gaps at frame

Window sills — no chips or scratches, sealed where required

Flyscreens — fitted to all openable windows (if specified)

French or sliding doors to garden — operate smoothly, lock correctly, threshold strip fitted

French or sliding door weather seal — continuous, no gaps

Downlights — all operational, evenly spaced, trims flush with ceiling, no paint overspray

Light switches — operational, plates flush to wall, no gaps at edges

Power sockets — at correct positions per electrical plan, plates flush, all operational

TV aerial and data points — installed where specified

Smoke alarm — installed in correct location and operational

Carbon monoxide alarm — installed where required (adjacent to gas appliances)

Air conditioning unit — operational on heating and cooling (if specified)

Fireplace or log burner — installed as specified, flue sealed (if applicable)

🛏️ Bedrooms (check each room)

Walls — no paint defects, plasterboard waves, or staining; inspect under raking light

Ceiling — flat and even, no cracking at joins

Coving — continuous, no gaps or cracks

Skirting boards — straight, painted, no gaps at floor junction

Door — operates smoothly, no binding at top or sides, latches correctly

Door handle and latch — operational, no play or looseness

Door frame — plumb, no gaps between frame and wall plaster

Fitted wardrobe — doors aligned and operate correctly, internal shelving level and fixed

Wardrobe hanging rail — secured at both ends at correct height

Wardrobe interior — painted or lined finish as specified, no rough edges

Window — opens and locks correctly, handle operates smoothly

Window reveal — plastered square, painted, no gaps at frame

Flooring — no gaps, squeaks, damaged boards, or chipped tiles

Light fitting — operational, shade or fitting as specified

Power sockets — at correct positions, plates flush, operational

TV aerial and data points — installed where specified

Loft hatch (if in bedroom) — insulated lid fitted, pull cord or hatch mechanism works

🚿 Bathrooms and ensuites (check each)

Shower enclosure — glass panels correctly installed, door operates smoothly, seals in place

Shower tray — installed level, mastic seal at tray-to-wall junction continuous and void-free

Shower floor falls — water drains fully, no pooling

Shower tiles — all grout joints consistent in colour and depth, no cracked tiles

Mastic (silicone) at all shower tile-to-tray and tile-to-glass junctions — continuous, no gaps

Waterproofing — tanking certificate or building regulations sign-off sighted

Shower head and handset — operational, no drips at connections

Shower thermostatic valve (if fitted) — operates correctly across temperature range

Bath — no chips or scratches in enamel or acrylic surface

Bath — overflow and waste sealed with mastic, waste operates correctly

Bath taps — operational, no drips, hot and cold correct

Bath panel — fits correctly, removable access panel (if fitted) works

Bath-to-wall junction — mastic seal continuous on all sides, no gaps

Vanity unit — doors and drawer fronts aligned, soft-close operational

Basin — secured to wall or vanity, no movement

Basin taps — operational, no drips at base or spout

Basin waste — pop-up or click-clack waste operates correctly, no drips below

Basin-to-wall junction — mastic seal continuous

Under-basin plumbing — no drips, waste pipe secured, no odour

Toilet — flushes correctly on both full and half flush

Toilet cistern — fills and stops at correct level, no running

Toilet seat and lid — hinges secure, seat does not move sideways

Toilet connection to soil pipe — no odour, sealed correctly

Extractor fan — operational, ducted to exterior (not into roof void)

Mirror or mirrored cabinet — secured at correct height, no chips in glass

Heated towel rail — operational, valves accessible

Towel rings and toilet roll holder — installed securely, correctly positioned

Floor tiles — no lippage, grout consistent, mastic at floor-to-wall junction

Wall tiles — straight, grout consistent, no cracked tiles, no hollow tiles (tap to check)

Door — privacy lock operational from inside, emergency release from outside

Ceiling — no staining, extractor correctly positioned

⚡ General — throughout the home

All light switches operational throughout

All power sockets operational — test with phone charger in every socket

Consumer unit (fuse board) — correctly labelled, RCD protection in place

Smoke alarms — installed in required locations (hallways, landings), all operational

Carbon monoxide alarms — installed adjacent to all gas appliances as required

Boiler — operational, pressure correct, hot water produced at all outlets

Radiators — all heat up correctly, no air locks (bleed if necessary)

Thermostat and heating controls — operational and clearly labelled

Hot water cylinder (if present) — pressure correct, immersion heater operational

All internal doors — operate smoothly, no binding at top, bottom, or sides

No internal doors clash when two adjacent doors are open simultaneously

Staircase — balusters secure, no movement; handrail fixed at correct height

Stair treads — no squeaks, nosings secure

Airing cupboard — shelving installed and secured, cylinder or pipework lagged

Loft hatch — access ladder or hatch works correctly, hatch insulated

Loft space — insulation laid to correct depth, no debris or waste materials

Painting — consistent sheen throughout each room, no holidays, brush marks, or drips

Painting at ceilings — clean edge to wall, no paint on coving

Caulking at all wall-to-ceiling junctions — continuous, no gaps

Caulking at skirting board to floor junctions — continuous where specified

No evidence of water ingress — check ceilings, walls near windows, and loft if accessible

All keys handed over — front door (minimum 2 sets), back door, garage, window locks

Window lock keys — accounted for and labelled

Appliance manuals — all provided, including boiler, hob, oven, extractor

Boiler service record and benchmark commissioning certificate provided

NHBC Buildmark warranty (or equivalent) documentation provided

Building regulations completion certificate provided or confirmed

Gas Safe certificate for all gas works provided

Part P electrical installation certificate provided

Water Regulations compliance confirmation for plumbing

📝 Snagging notes

Track defects digitally with Checka

This checklist helps you spot issues. Checka helps you document them with photos, share reports with your builder, and track what gets fixed.

Download free on App Store Google Play

Use Checka to document defects digitally — snap photos, generate reports, track resolutions.