Professional Snagging Companies - are they worthwhile?

hlou · 26 January 2014 at 11:53PM

We are first time buyers buying a new build one bed leasehold flat. Neither of us know a lot about property, and upon doing some research, I have seen that you can pay a professional snagging company to search for any imperfections before completion.

Would it be worthwhile using one, and how much can I expect to pay?

If anyone has any recommendations for particularly good companies in the east london/essex area, that would also be appreciated.

Thanks

ostrichnomore_2 · 27 January 2014 at 1:27PM

I don't know how much it costs through a firm but you might find a surveyor who will do it for you directly.

I'd say it's worth it. I used to work for a housing association and when we bought new properties one of our surveyors always snagged it. There was invariably a list of corrections to be done by the builder. These were exactly the same properties as bought by private buyers on the same development, so I can't see how their homes would have been fault-free. some of it was quite major and not easily spottable by a non-pro - in one case all the windows in our houses were replaced but the original ones stayed in the other properties!

ethank · 27 January 2014 at 2:33PM

I recently bought a new build and looked into this. I opted to buy the Snagging.org guide instead, and did it myself. Info at http://www.snagging.org/snagging-guide/

hlou · 27 January 2014 at 8:11PM

ethank wrote: »

I recently bought a new build and looked into this. I opted to buy the Snagging.org guide instead, and did it myself. Info at http://www.snagging.org/snagging-guide/

I actually found this last night - was it reasonably easy to follow? We are completely inexperienced and have never done something like this before!

bylromarha · 27 January 2014 at 9:34PM

We used snagging guides just fine on our 2 new builds. Paying a pro to do it seems a waste of money to me, but each to their own.

If it'll give you peace of mind, then do it. Most people just do it themselves though and use the NHBC certificate if anything major comes up after moving in.

ethank · 28 January 2014 at 9:25AM

hlou wrote: »

I actually found this last night - was it reasonably easy to follow? We are completely inexperienced and have never done something like this before!

Very easy to follow. I found about 42 items, and I cannot even do DIY!