How Can a New Build Snagging Checklist Help Home Buyers?

Is the paintwork complete and blemish-free? Do all locks and bolts work properly? Do all doors and drawers close and open easily? These are some of the things you need to check before you sign the papers and move into your newly built home. These are also the same questions you would see in a new build snagging checklist.

Buying a new house is not cheap. Most people would spend a substantial amount of their savings to purchase a home. Many also rely on their future earnings to pay their mortgage for 15 to 30 years.

Since a house is a major investment, it’s crucial to ensure that you get your money’s worth. You need to make sure that everything in the house is built according to agreed standards and in tiptop condition.

But how do you do this? How do you determine if the house has excellent workmanship? How do you find the laws (if there are any)? It’s simple – order a snag list from a reputable snagging company in Dublin.

What’s In a New Build Snagging Checklist?

A new build snagging checklist is a list of several questions that serve as a guide in checking the house’s condition.

The checklist is divided into several categories, which are typically named after the different parts of the house – living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc. Some categories are labelled paintwork, woodwork or landscaping, among others.

Snagging specialists go through each part of the house with the checklist in hand. Every corner of the house is inspected thoroughly to ensure that everything is up to standard. The inspection not only focuses on the home’s interiors but also the exteriors – the fence, driveway, lawn and roof.

The survey identifies cosmetic and functional defects as well as structural flaws.

A common aesthetic snag found during inspections is poor paintwork. This could mean that the walls aren’t painted evenly or, worse, the paint is peeling or flaking already. Other cosmetic-related issues are dents or chips on the cabinetry and scratches on the windows.

Meanwhile, for functional defects, doors and cabinets that won’t open or close properly top the list. Professional snaggers also note if these house parts make a creaking sound.

Aside from the doors and windows, faucets and toilets are also checked for water flow and leaks. Similarly, electric sockets are tested if they are working.

These are just some of the items you can find in a snagging checklist. The list is quite long as the inspection is meant to be thorough.

The Benefits of Getting a New Build Snagging Checklist

How exactly can the snag list help home buyers like you?

It enables you to avoid buying or moving into a house that is full of snags or not built well. This can save you a lot of headaches and money later on.

Many home buyers who opt to forego an independent snagging inspection regret their decision. Instead of spending their first months in the house enjoying their property, they end up agonising over minor and major snags they’ve uncovered.

Further adding to their stress is the fact the builder or developers are slow to respond to repair requests even if these snags are covered by warranty. So, many home buyers end up paying for the repair work, which means additional expenses.

You can easily avoid being in the same situation by getting a professional snagging survey before finalising the deal.

You can use the snagging report to start a conversation with your builder or developer about the condition of the house. As the report includes photos of the snags, they cannot refute the existence of the problems.

Here’s the thing:

Developers or builders rarely agree to repair all items on the snag list. This is because some of them cannot be improved to your satisfaction, or repairing them can worsen the problem.

Hence, it is important to identify and convey your non-negotiables. At the same time, find out what their proposed actions are for the other snags and determine if these are things you can live with.

To add, scheduling the inspection before you finalise the sale gives you more leverage when it comes to getting the snags fixed quickly. You can inform them that you will agree to complete the deal only when all issues are rectified.

Basically, ordering a snagging checklist lets you ensure that you get the house that you paid for. It is all about avoiding costly repair expenses. It also means spending your first months enjoying your home instead of worrying about the defects.

Are you buying a new house? Hire our competent snagging specialists and get a comprehensive new build snagging checklist! Call us now on 085 256 3277 to request a quote.