Snagging
Acceptance with defects
- What it is
- A professional inspection of a property with a list of defects before handover
- Why it is needed
- So that the developer remedies defects at its own expense before the certificate is signed
- Who carries it out
- An independent technical specialist hired by the buyer
- When to carry it out
- Before the handover certificate is signed, not after
- What it gives
- A written document instead of verbal promises to fix things
In plain words
Snagging is a professional inspection of a property before handover, producing a detailed list of defects and unfinished work. Put simply: a specialist goes through the property and notes everything that has been done wrong — from crooked reveals and dead sockets to deviations from the design.
The point is for the developer to remedy the defects, at its own expense, before you sign the handover certificate. Once the certificate is signed without reservations, the buyer’s position weakens sharply: formally they have accepted the property in its current state, and everything then comes down to warranty obligations, if any.
The inspection is carried out by an independent specialist hired by the buyer, not by the developer’s representative. They know where problems usually hide: building services, joints, waterproofing, ventilation, deviations in area. Such an inspection costs a small fraction of the property’s value, and the list of defects for a new build is rarely empty.
When such an inspection is needed
What is usually checked
- Walls, floors, ceilings
- Doors and windows
- Quality of seams and joints
- Electrics and sockets
- Plumbing and drainage
- Ventilation and climate control
- Cracks and settlement
- Waterproofing
- Damp and signs of leaks
- Deviations from the design
- Actual area
- Fittings under the contract
How it works
- 01Hire an independent specialist
- 02Carry out the inspection before handover
- 03Pass the list to the developer
- 04Wait for the defects to be remedied
- 05Re-inspection and handover
What you need to know
- The inspection is carried out before the certificate is signed
- The list of defects is put in writing
- The specialist must be independent of the developer
- A re-inspection is carried out after the remedial work
- An empty list of defects for a new build is a rarity
Common mistakes
- Accepting a property without a technical inspection
- Accepting verbal promises to fix everything
- Signing the certificate before defects are remedied
- Inspecting the property yourself without experience
- Not re-inspecting after defects have been repaired
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We recommend a technical inspection for any property from a developer — especially if you are taking handover remotely and cannot walk through the flat in person. A specialist on site sees what is not visible in the seller’s photographs.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is snagging?
A professional inspection of a property before handover, producing a list of defects that the developer must remedy at its own expense.
02 /When should it be carried out?
Before the handover certificate is signed. After signing without reservations, getting defects put right is considerably harder.
03 /Who should carry out the inspection?
An independent technical specialist hired by the buyer. The developer’s representative in this role is a conflict of interest.
04 /How much does it cost?
A small fraction of the property’s value. As a rule, considerably less than the cost of the works the developer ends up carrying out.
05 /What if the developer refuses to remedy defects?
You rely on the contract and the law of the country: deadlines, warranties, liability. A list recorded in writing is the main argument.
06 /Is a re-inspection needed?
Yes. Without it some defects remain unremedied or are remedied only formally — and you will already have signed the certificate.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Taking handover of a new build?
We will help arrange a technical inspection before the certificate is signed — so that the developer remedies the defects.