Snagging: checking finished work before handover

“Snagging” is the process of checking finished work for defects and incomplete items before handover. The list that comes out of it, the snag list, is the builder’s last to-do list. Done properly, it means you move into a home that is finished, not nearly finished.

When to snag

Snagging usually happens when the builder says the work is practically complete. Walk the house with the site manager and, on larger projects, the architect. Go in daylight, with good lighting, and allow plenty of time. A house is easier to inspect when it is empty and clean.

How to snag

Take a notebook or use your phone, and photograph each item
Work methodically room by room, top to bottom: ceiling, walls, windows, doors, floor, fittings
Use a small piece of tape to mark each snag
Test everything that moves, opens, switches or runs water
Be specific: “scratch on bedroom 2 door, outside face” is better than “doors need touching up”

What to check

Walls and ceilings

Paint coverage, drips and patchy areas
Cracks, visible joints in ceilings and uneven plaster
Clean lines where colours meet

Doors and windows

Open and close every door and window. Do they swing freely and close properly?
Check locks and handles, and that keys work
Look for scratches on frames and glass
Check sealant around frames, inside and outside

Floors

Cracked, chipped or hollow-sounding tiles (tap them)
Grout gaps and uneven joints
Scratches on timber floors
Skirtings fixed and finished

Kitchen and joinery

Doors aligned and gaps even
Drawers run smoothly and close softly
Worktop joints and edges
Appliances installed and working

Bathrooms

Run every tap, shower and bath. Check hot and cold.
Check water drains away quickly and does not pond in showers
Flush toilets and check for leaks underneath basins
Silicone neat and complete
Extractor fans working

Electrical

Every light switch and plug point works
Covers straight and clean
Distribution board labelled

Outside

Gutters and downpipes complete and connected
Paving falls away from the house
Gates, garage doors and motors working
Site cleared of rubble and materials

Documents to receive

Electrical certificate of compliance
Plumbing certificate of compliance and geyser installation certificate
Gas certificate of conformity, if applicable
Glazing certificate
Roof truss and waterproofing certificates and guarantees, if applicable
Engineer’s completion certificates for structural work
Occupation certificate from the City, where applicable
NHBRC enrolment documents for new homes
Manuals and warranties for appliances and equipment

After handover

Some defects only show up after you have lived in a house for a while: small cracks as the building settles, a door that sticks in winter. That is what the defects liability period is for. Keep a list and give it to your builder at the agreed time.

Our approach

We do our own internal snag before we invite clients to inspect, so the list you create should be short. If you are getting close to the end of a project with us, we will set a time to walk through it together. If you want to know more about how we finish projects, ask us.