How Does a Snag List Work?

When buying a new home, it’s important to know what kinds of trouble lurk in the walls before the deal is done. This is because when you buy a new home, there are lots of things that can go wrong. Failing to discover them before signing on the dotted line can cost you thousands—or even more. This also means that you could end up living in a dangerous house.

The problem is that most people don’t have the knowledge or experience to spot potential issues with their new home before moving in. This is why it’s a must to order a snag list when buying a new home.

Snag List: Meaning and Importance

A snag list is meant to be a comprehensive list of everything wrong with a newly built house—from small cosmetic issues like paint chips on walls and flooring stains in corners all the way up to major structural problems like foundation cracks.

Apart from the snags or defects, the snagging report also includes a detailed description of all outstanding issues, including where they are located in your new home and what needs to be done to remedy them. Most snag lists nowadays also include photos of the defects.

The developer or builder should repair the defects and complete all unfished work listed in the list at no additional cost to you.

Having a snag list drawn up is important because it is the only way to ensure everything is up to code. This prevents surprises after closing and ensures you get what you’re paying for. It also protects you from any danger that may result from living in a poorly built house.

When Should You Schedule a Snagging Inspection?

Generally speaking, it’s best if you order one before occupying your new home to ensure everything is up to your standards and you don’t have to worry about any issues later on down the road.

You can also order a snag list after moving in. However, keep in mind that doing it during this stage has many challenges. For one, developers or builders tend to act slow on repair requests when the sale has already been completed. It can also be costly, particularly when you decide to have someone else rectify the error since your builder is ignoring you.

It is worth mentioning that if you decide to order a snag list after you move, make sure you do it as soon as possible. Remember, your builder would no longer be liable to fix the snags after a given period. Scheduling a snagging survey immediately after you move in also minimises the chance of your builder claiming that the defect is your fault or the result of wear and tear.

What Should Be on a Snag List?

• Things that need to be repaired or replaced, specifically items that are broken, damaged, worn out, or otherwise not working properly.
• Things that require a re-do or improvement, like walls with chipping paint.
• Parts or areas that need to be adjusted or modified because they do not match what’s in the building plan or do not meet building regulations.
• Missing items like a door, faucet, or toilet bowl.
• Things that need to be cleared like debris in the backyard or construction materials in your hallway

Where to Order a Snag List in Dublin?

Get it from a reputable snagging company – one with trained snaggers who adhere to standards set by governing bodies like the NSAI. This way, you can be confident that they will conduct a thorough and systematic inspection of your new house.

It is equally important that you pick a snagging company that is reliable. They should be able to stick to the schedule and deliver the snagging report as soon as possible. Keep in mind that delays in the snagging process affect your move-in date.

It is also imperative that you hire an independent snagging company in Dublin. By independent, we mean a firm that is not affiliated with or does work for builders and developers in Ireland. This ensures that the snagging specialists prioritise your interests during the inspection. This means uncovering and reporting all snags.

What to Do With Your Snag List?

Once you receive your snag list, go through each item. If possible, do this with your snagging specialist. Alternatively, you can list your questions and then call your snagger for answers.

Next, give the developer or builder a copy of the snag list and schedule a meeting right away. This is necessary so you can agree on the next steps. After this, they go to work and inform you when everything’s done.

How can you know that they will actually do what you asked? The best way is to make sure there’s a clear understanding of what each item on the list entails. If multiple steps are involved in fixing a problem, ensure everyone knows exactly what’s going on at every step along the way.

It’s also essential to communicate with them throughout the process so that if something goes wrong or takes longer than expected, they can let you know immediately and give you an estimate of when they will be able to finish up.

Lastly, save your snag list for insurance purposes. If any damages occur during the build process, it’s essential to save the snag list as proof of prior damage in case you need to file an insurance claim later on down the road.

In conclusion, a snag list is a list of issues that need to be addressed by the builder. A snag list is not a guarantee that all defects will be resolved, but it does make it easier for you and your builder to communicate about the progress of the home construction project.

For your snags to be addressed, you must work with your builder to choose an appropriate solution. It’s important to understand that although things can go wrong when purchasing a new build house in Dublin, you should not let those setbacks get in the way of enjoying your new home once construction is finished.

Do you need to order a snag list for your newly built house in Dublin? Hire our qualified snagging specialists and get your snagging report 24 hours after the inspection! Call us today on 016874452 (9am to 5pm) or 0852563277 or click here to schedule a new build survey.

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