◆ Service · 03§ 03/04

§ New-Build Inspection

The quiet leverage before you complete.

Commonly called a 'snagging' report, my New-Build Inspection tells you, your builder, the developer or the contractor which items need remediation on a newly completed home.

The quiet leverage before you complete.
§ At a glance
Timing
Prior to / on occupation
Standard
NHQC-aligned
Method
Drone · binoculars · camera
Fee (no VAT)
£425 – £475

§ Brief

I carry out a non-invasive inspection, suitable for new finished properties prior to or on occupation. My visit is visual — I use a drone, binoculars and camera images where appropriate — and I don't include market valuations, rebuild/repair costs or warranties.

I write the report on a Skyline template in line with NHQC reporting standards, agreed with most building contractors. It contains numerous annotated photographs and plain, easily understandable text explaining defects, the remedial repairs I recommend and general observations.

§ Inspected

What the visit covers.

External

  • ◆Walls, roofs, ridges, flashings
  • ◆Gutters and downpipes
  • ◆Fascias and soffits
  • ◆Boundaries and outbuildings
  • ◆Driveways, paths, landscaping

Internal & finishes

  • ◆Ceilings, walls, decorations
  • ◆Fitted cupboards and wardrobes
  • ◆Kitchen units and worktops
  • ◆Bathroom fixtures and fittings
  • ◆Glazing to windows and doors

Services & site

  • ◆Electrical sockets and switches
  • ◆Heating and plumbing function
  • ◆Ventilation and extraction
  • ◆Smoke and CO alarms
  • ◆General site conditions after completion

§ Why bother

Three honest reasons.

01

New does not mean perfect

Even reputable developers hand over homes with dozens of small defects. A fresh, independent pair of eyes catches what the site manager won't.

02

Leverage before completion

Once you complete, getting the developer back becomes a conversation. Before, it is a contractual item on their punch list.

03

A document the developer can work to

You get a clear snagging list the site team can action, with photographs and enough context that no one has to guess what you mean.

§ Common finds

The recurring cast of new-build defects.

No two sites are the same, but the same categories keep coming up. The list below is a fair sample of what I regularly find on a new-build instruction — and what should be fixed before you put a key in the front door.
◆Poor paintwork and decorating
◆Gaps in sealant around baths and showers
◆Doors that don't close properly
◆Uneven or poorly laid flooring
◆Scratched or damaged glazing
◆Incomplete external landscaping
◆Missing or loose fixings
◆Plumbing leaks under sinks
◆Poorly aligned kitchen units
◆Insufficient loft insulation
◆Faulty electrical fittings
◆Outstanding site snags

§ No valuations

This is a building inspection, not a valuation.

My report does not include market valuations, rebuild/repair costs, or any form of guarantee. Sample reports and terms & conditions are available on request.

§ Plates

From recent files.

A handful of recent properties — composition and crop only, no identifying detail.

New-build property

Pl. 01 — New-build property

Modern apartment

Pl. 02 — Modern apartment

New detached home

Pl. 03 — New detached home

Semi-detached new build

Pl. 04 — Semi-detached new build

Get in touch

Ready to commission a Residential Survey or EPC

Send the address and the type of report you're after. A fixed fee and likely inspection window follow the same working day.