Snagging list: what to check, with a free checklist
A snagging list is a written record of the faults and unfinished work you find at the end of a building job or in a new-build home, so the builder or developer puts them right before you sign off and release the final payment. Do it before completion, in good daylight, and check every room methodically.
What is a snagging list?
A snag is any defect or unfinished detail: a chip in the paint, a door that catches, a tile that is not level, a radiator that stays cold. A snagging list collects them all in one written, photographed record so nothing gets forgotten and the builder has a clear list to work through. It applies just as much to a kitchen or extension as to a brand-new house.
When to do your snagging
Do your main snagging inspection before the job is signed off and before the final payment is released, while the builder is still on site and motivated to fix things. Check in good daylight, ideally before furniture goes in. For a new-build home you usually have a defects period (often up to two years) when the developer must fix faults, so report anything as early as you can.
Room-by-room snagging checklist
Work through every room the same way. Here is what to look at:
- Walls and ceilings: cracks, uneven plaster, full paint coverage, marks and scuffs
- Floors: level and solid, no squeaks or gaps, even tiles with neat grout
- Doors and windows: open, close and lock smoothly, even gaps, intact seals, no scratched glass
- Kitchen: units level and aligned, worktop joints neat, appliances working, sealant tidy
- Bathroom: silicone neat, tiles even, taps and shower running, water draining, toilet secure
- Electrics: every socket and switch works, light fittings secure, consumer unit labelled, certificate provided
- Heating and plumbing: radiators heat evenly, no leaks, boiler and controls working, decent water pressure
- Outside: render and brickwork, guttering and downpipes, drainage falls away from the house, paving level
- Paperwork: building control sign-off, gas and electrical certificates, guarantees and manuals
How to use the list
Number each item and photograph it. Share the list with your builder in writing, not just verbally, and agree a date for the fixes. Re-check each item once they say it is done, and hold back the final payment until the list is clear. Agreeing this retention in the contract up front makes the conversation easy.
Common questions
Just before the job is signed off and the final payment is due, while the builder is still on site. For a new-build home, do an inspection soon after you move in and report snags within the developer's defects period.
Yes, and it is normal to retain the final payment until the snagging list is cleared. The cleanest way is to agree that retention in the written contract before work starts, so there is no dispute later.
For a new-build house a professional snagging inspection can be well worth it, as inspectors find things an owner would miss. For a smaller home-improvement job you can usually do it yourself with a checklist like this one.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.