The new build checklist that could save you THOUSANDS

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The new build checklist that could save you THOUSANDS: Experts reveal the 12-point snagging questionnaire every home buyer needs to answer

  • Builders are responsible for fixing major issues, or ‘snags’, in new build homes
  • Without this, the work to get the property up to scratch could cost thousands
  • Experts have revealed the checklist every new build owner needs to use 
  • Could save you a total of £5,000 if you spot these snagging issues in your home 

By Stephanie Linning For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Housing experts have revealed the 12-point checklist every buyer needs to tick off before moving into a new build home. 

The list, compiled by UK-based company MyToolShed, identifies the 12 areas where buyers are most likely to find faults, commonly known as ‘snags’, in their property. 

Failure to promptly identify and address snagging could lead to the buyer spending thousands of pounds on repairs.   

The list, compiled by UK-based company MyToolShed, identifies the 12 areas where buyers are most likely to find faults, commonly known as ‘snags’, in their property. Stock image

Home truths! How much YOUR snagging could cost to repair

The 12 things to check in a snagging survey and the estimated cost of repairs, according to MyToolShed.

  1. Loose and/or cracked roof tiles (£150)
  2. Insecure and/or unstable walls, fences & gates (£800-£950)
  3. Loose and/or cracked guttering and downpipes (£475)
  4. Loose and/or cracked brick and paintwork (£600)
  5. Unfinished and/or poorly laid driveway (£100 per sq m)
  6. Insufficient garage insulation (£210)
  7. Poorly fitted doors hinges and handles (£25 per door) 
  8. Cracked and/or poorly sealed window frames (£94) 
  9. Uneven and/or loose staircase and banisters (£33 per stair) 
  10. Improperly fitted or functioning kitchen (£1,048 per suite)
  11. Improperly fitted or functioning bathroom (£184 per suite)
  12. Uneven and/or unfinished paint, wallpaper and/or tiles (£275) 

Carrying out each of these repairs would cost between £4,000-£5,000. 

It comes amid a rise in the number of British buyers reporting snags in their new build homes. 

The Home Builders Federation reported a six per cent increase in the number of buyers reporting issues, raising from 93 per cent in 2015 to 99 per cent in 2018.

The snags can be separated into two categories. ‘Functional snags’, refers to practical issues that stop the house from working as it should, such as a door that is missing a handle.  

Meanwhile ‘aesthetic snags’ describe appearance-based issues, such as chipped paintwork. 

Failure to promptly identify and address snagging could lead to the buyer spending thousands of pounds on repairs. Above, an illustration by MyToolShed illustrating the most common snags and the estimated costs. It would cost £4,000-£5,000 to address all of the points above

Failure to promptly identify and address snagging could lead to the buyer spending thousands of pounds on repairs. Above, an illustration by MyToolShed illustrating the most common snags and the estimated costs. It would cost £4,000-£5,000 to address all of the points above

Sharing the list, the team at MyToolShed explained the snagging survey is ideally carried out before the buyer moves into the home. 

After this, it is a good idea to do it within the first two years of living at the property.  

Who is responsible?

In the UK all new homes are covered by a free 10-year home warranty and insurance guarantee, which provides protection against problems with the home’s construction and many other eventualities.

DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS 

If you have paid a deposit and something unforeseen happens with the building of your new home, such as the builder goes out of business, either your deposit will be refunded or, if the construction is close to competition, the home will be finished.

WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS 

The builder will rectify any problems picked up within the first two years that do not meet the warranty provider’s technical requirements at no cost to the homeowner.

BETWEEN THREE AND 10 YEARS 

The warranty protects against issues with items such as staircases and internal plastering during years three to ten, as well as a range of structural defects too.

Source: MyToolShed 

That’s because, up until this point, the responsibility for fixing issues will fall to the company that built the home. After this period, it often becomes the homeowner’s job to sort. 

Failing to conduct a thorough ‘snagging survey’ could lead to a repair and alterations bill of thousands of pounds.

Some problems, such as replacing door hinges or handles, would set you back an estimated £25 per door, according to the experts. 

However other issues are far more costly. Fixing kitchen snags could cost around £1,000, while securing walls and gates could be roughly the same amount.    

Ross Goodwin, Managing Director of MyToolShed said: It’s extremely important to conduct your own checks when purchasing a new build property. 

‘Consumers are protected under their 10-year home warranty and insurance guarantee; however, snags can often take up to six months to correct once the property developer has finished on the site. That’s why it’s extremely important to catch these issues before you move in. 

‘Many homeowners, when they discover snags once they’ve moved in, are tempted to fork out themselves to fix issues rather than waiting their property developer to get around to it. It can cost anything up to £5,000 depending on the issues you find.

‘In order to catch potential problems quickly, it’s important to follow our new build snagging checklist when inspecting your new home. You can then present this list to the property developer and get the issues sorted out before you move in.’