Snagging?

Claremac

We're buying a new-build house froma local developer who is building just the 2 houses with 2 more to come. It is at the first fix stage and is due for completion in February. Our solicitor has suggested that we employ a surveyor to do the snagging on our behalf so that he/she will pick things up that we wouldn't notice and also so that we can maintain a good relationship with the builder by having a third party deal with problems.
Has anyone done this before and can give any advice on what should happen and how we find a surveyor? Thanks.

BigBumpaGirl

I'm in the process of booking an inspection through http://www.newbuildinspections.com/
I have read some previous recommendations on this site, although quite dated. Keeping my fingers crossed that they are still as good. I will let you know how it goes.

Jonbvn

We used NBI over 3 years ago and they were excellent. They even contacted the developer's Site Manager to expedite repair of some defects.

There are other outfits also:
http://www.inspectorhome.co.uk/snagginginspections.html
http://www.brickkickers.co.uk/
http://www.sitesnagging.co.uk/
http://www.rla.org.uk/html/suppliers/suppliers.shtml?class=Snagging+Inspections

It is possible to do it yourself.
http://www.snaggingchecklist.co.uk/

Andyfrain

When you pay a lot of money for a high end ceramic flat iron, you want it to last as long as possible. Many people do not know how to properly care for their flat irons, which can cause them to become damaged or break prematurely. If you have ever had your favorite flat iron die suddenly, you know how sad it is and all the bad hair days you must endure until you can replace it. By taking these simple precautions, you can prolong the life of your flat iron and protect your investment so you can continue using it for years to come.

Claremac

Thanks so much for the responses, BigBumpaGirl and Jonbvn. I would be very interested to see how you get on BBG. At what stage have you called New Build Inspections in as I'm not sure at what stage a new-build should be snagged.
There are some very useful links there Jonbvn which have kicked off a whole new series of questions! Thanks again.

bryanb

Andyfrain wrote: »

When you pay a lot of money for a high end ceramic flat iron, you want it to last as long as possible. Many people do not know how to properly care for their flat irons, which can cause them to become damaged or break prematurely. If you have ever had your favorite flat iron die suddenly, you know how sad it is and all the bad hair days you must endure until you can replace it. By taking these simple precautions, you can prolong the life of your flat iron and protect your investment so you can continue using it for years to come.

Yes, very interesting.

Jonbvn

Claremac wrote: »

At what stage have you called New Build Inspections in as I'm not sure at what stage a new-build should be snagged.

This is an interesting one. Our developer tried to force us to wait until after completion to do the snagging. However, with me being in the business (civil/struct eng'r) I flatly refused, saying I wanted to snag before completion to ensure no show stoppers. The developer tried their hardest to refuse, but I was prepared to delay completion and they then relented. NBI found lots of defects, but no show-stoppers!

I think the key is to make sure that your house is not the last one on the development to be sold, since the workers may not be around to repair the defects.

Officially the warrantee period should be 2 years from the date of completion. You can do a sagging inspection anytime within this period. The developer is responsible for the repair of all defects in that period, although not fair wear and tear.

BigBumpaGirl

My developer also tried to put me off the inspection, claiming that I didn’t need one as I would get a house 'demo' when I completed!
I told them that I would not proceed without an independent inspection so they have agreed to let it take place, as long as there site inspector can be present.

I was determined to get the inspection done prior to exchange, so if anything major is found it can be rectified.

putty71

I am a builder or rather a construction professional. Ideally you get a warranty of 10 years through nhbc or zurich with your house to cove rthe major things. For snagging though, you need to get this done when the house reaches 'practical completion' This means that it is fully complete and as it should be for you to live in, with nothing left to finish and fully certified, ie gas certs and elec. Don't exchange without it being snagged or the snags then having been completed as if you raise something afterwards, the builder will blame you (trust me I've seen it from both sides)!!! Dig your heels in if you are not happy as there is nothing worse for a builder than having to go back time after time. They or we do not like it, hence why you will then struggle to get the defects cleared.
If you are in Norfolk, I'll do it for a nominal fee, probably far less than what the name syou listed would charge.

Good luck with it and feel free to ask me any questions.

putty71

Jonbvn wrote: »

This is an interesting one. Our developer tried to force us to wait until after completion to do the snagging. However, with me being in the business (civil/struct eng'r) I flatly refused, saying I wanted to snag before completion to ensure no show stoppers. The developer tried their hardest to refuse, but I was prepared to delay completion and they then relented. NBI found lots of defects, but no show-stoppers!

I think the key is to make sure that your house is not the last one on the development to be sold, since the workers may not be around to repair the defects.

Officially the warrantee period should be 2 years from the date of completion. You can do a sagging inspection anytime within this period. The developer is responsible for the repair of all defects in that period, although not fair wear and tear.

Just to clear up a little issue, snagging needs to be done at PC, not anytime in 2 years or the warranty period. Anything in the warranty period, except fair wear and tear, is classed as a defect and not a snag, and therefore your builder is still responsible for it. Just thought I'd explain this in laymans terms.

Alias_Omega

Ideally,

I thought you would have had the house inspected prior to it being dry-lined / plasterboard nailed on.

Then inspected upon completion to sure no change.