Snagging Survey

snagging

New-build defect report · Internal & External · Minor / Major / Critical · Building Regulations & NHBC referenced

AI-generated defect list: Our AI analyses your inspection photos room by room — internal and external — and generates a structured punch list with severity ratings, regulatory references, tolerances, and recommended actions. Covers pre-completion, post-completion, 12-month de-snag, and extension & refurbishment inspections.

Inspection Types Supported

Pre-completion Snagging

Before legal completion — developer must rectify

Post-completion Snagging

After keys handed over — within defects liability period

De-snag (12 months)

Statutory 12-month NHBC defect notification period

Extension & Refurbishment

New works on existing property — phase sign-off

Severity Ratings:Minor — cosmetic or low-priority defectMajor — significant defect requiring attentionCritical — urgent safety or Building Regs compliance issue

A — Inspection Details

Flat section

Field	Description
Inspection Type	Pre-completion / Post-completion / De-snag (12 months) / Extension & Refurbishment / Other
Property Address	Full postal address of the new-build property
Client Name	Name of the buyer or commissioning party
Developer / Builder	Name of the developer or main contractor responsible for the build
NHBC Registration / Warranty	NHBC Buildmark or alternative structural warranty reference
Plot Number	Developer plot or unit reference number
Inspector	Name of the snagging inspector who carried out the inspection
Inspection Date	Date the on-site inspection was completed
Property Type	e.g. Semi-detached, Detached, Flat, Terraced, Town House
Bedrooms	Number of bedrooms in the property
Tenure	Freehold / Leasehold / Shared Ownership
Weather at Inspection	Relevant where external defects or damp/water ingress are noted

B — Defect Summary

Flat section

Field	Description
Total defects	Total count of all defects across all internal and external areas
Critical count	Defects requiring immediate resolution — safety, structural, or Building Regulations compliance
Major count	Defects requiring remediation — workmanship, NHBC standards, tolerances exceeded
Minor count	Cosmetic or low-priority items — decoration, finish, minor adjustment
Regulatory flags	Defects referencing specific Building Regulations parts (K, B, L, F, J, P) or NHBC chapters
Property Overview	AI-drafted narrative summarising the overall condition and build quality of the new property

C — Internal Inspection (Room by Room)

Dynamic rooms

One section is generated per internal room or area inspected. Rooms are selected in the wizard across six groups. AI analyses photos for each room and generates a defect list with severity ratings, regulatory references, and recommended actions.

Circulation

Room / Area	Typical defect categories identified
Hall, Stairs & Landing	Balustrade spindle spacing (max 100mm — Approved Doc K), stair nosing finish, handrail fixings, newel post tightness, floor screed flatness (±5mm / 3m — NHBC Ch.5), skirting/architrave joints
Hallway	Floor screed flatness, skirting gaps, door threshold, architrave finish, ceiling coving, socket/switch alignment
Corridors (First Floor)	Floor level and flatness, skirting joints, door alignment, ceiling finish, any fire door compliance (Part B)

Living & Study

Room / Area	Typical defect categories identified
Living Room / Lounge	Glazing in critical locations (toughened/laminated — Approved Doc K / BS EN 12150), floor flatness, skirting splits/gaps, radiator level and pipe covers, door latch/binding, window seals
Dining Room	Floor level and transitions, radiator level, window restrictor (Part K — above ground floor), ceiling coving joins, skirting joints
Study	Skirting, architrave and door frame finish, floor flatness, socket alignment, window draught seals

Bedrooms

Room / Area	Typical defect categories identified
Bedroom 1 (Master)	Door binding/latching, skirting and architrave joints, floor screed flatness, radiator level and valve finish, window operation and restrictor (Part K), socket/switch alignment, wardrobe fitment
Bedroom 2 / 3 / 4	Same categories as Bedroom 1 — repeated per additional bedroom
Dressing Room / Walk-in Wardrobe	Built-in wardrobe door alignment and hinges, internal rail fixings, floor flatness, socket/switch alignment, lighting fitment

Kitchen & Utility

Room / Area	Typical defect categories identified
Kitchen	Unit door alignment and swing clearance, worktop joint finish, tile grout and trim (±2mm), extractor fan ducting, under-sink plumbing, tap operation, splashback tile flatness, socket alignment
Utility Room	Appliance connection point levels, drainage fall to waste, tile grouting, ventilation compliance (Part F), door threshold, plumbing access panels
Pantry	Shelf fixings and level, door alignment, floor flatness, any power provision

Bathrooms

Room / Area	Typical defect categories identified
Main Bathroom	Bath panel alignment, tile layout and grout, mastic sealant bead quality at bath/shower, WC pan level and fixings, basin waste and trap, taps and waste operation, extractor fan (Part F — 15 l/s min), floor fall to drain (1:60 min)
En-suite	Shower screen seals and alignment, tile grout and trim, mastic sealant at tray and walls, basin waste, extractor fan (Part F), radiator/towel rail fixings, floor fall to drain (1:60 min)
WC / Cloakroom	WC pan level and fixings, mastic seals, basin waste, tile grout, ventilation (Part F), cistern fixings and flush, pipework concealment

Services & Storage

Critical areas — certificates required

Room / Area	Critical checks
Boiler / Plant Room	Gas Safe commissioning certificate present, flue terminal clearances (min 300mm below any opening — Part J), gas pipework joints (IGEM UP/2), PRV discharge pipe routed safely, controls labelled, boiler straps and fixings
Consumer Unit Area	EICR or electrical completion certificate present, RCD protection on all circuits (Part P), unit enclosure and fixings, circuit labelling complete, no exposed conductors, earthing and bonding visible, 500mm working clearance
Hot Water Cylinder / Airing Cupboard	Cylinder lagging intact, T&P relief valve discharge pipe routed safely, pipework insulation (Part L), thermostat max 60°C (Legionella prevention), pressure vessel condition, airing cupboard ventilation
Cupboards / Storage (Under Stairs)	Door alignment and operation, internal finish, shelf fixings, fire stopping if adjacent to circulation space (Part B)
Loft Space	Insulation depth and coverage (min 270mm mineral wool — Part L), party wall fire stopping (Part B), truss integrity, cold bridge risk at eaves, hatch sealing and insulation, any boarding level and fixings

D — External Inspection

Dynamic areas

External areas are inspected separately to internal rooms across four groups. AI applies regulatory and NHBC references where defects relate to structural, drainage, or weatherproofing requirements.

Elevations

Area	Typical defect categories identified
Front Elevation	Brickwork perpend/bed joint consistency (±5mm — NHBC Ch.6.1), pointing and mortar colour match, lintel overhang (25mm min), weep holes above cavities, DPC level (150mm min above FGL), window frame seals, render cracks
Rear Elevation	Same brickwork tolerances, patio drainage falls (1:60 min away from structure — NHBC Ch.9), French door threshold weatherproofing, soil pipe fixings, overflow pipe locations
Left Side Elevation	Sub-floor vent height (75mm min above ground — NHBC Ch.5), soil/vent pipe fixings, boundary wall finish, gate ironmongery, meter box sealing, brickwork consistency
Right Side Elevation	Mirror of left side checks; shared boundary party fence condition, drain cover positioning and frame seating

Roof & Drainage

Critical areas

Area	Critical checks
Roof	Ridge tile bedding and pointing (no loose tiles), hip/valley lead flashing (150mm min lap — NHBC Ch.7), verge overhang consistency, roof tile alignment, flat roof upstand and membrane (150mm min upstand), chimney stack pointing if applicable
Gutters & Downpipes	UPVC gutter falls towards downpipes (1:600 min fall), gutter joint seals (no leaks), bracket fixings at max 900mm centres, downpipe fixings at max 1.8m centres, downpipe shoe directing away from building
Soffits & Fascias	Soffit board fixings and paint/UPVC finish, ventilation gaps clear (NHBC Ch.7), fascia fixings, gutter bracket integration, no cracking or delamination
Drainage / Inspection Chambers	Manhole cover frame seating and cover flush with surrounding surface, benching condition, surface water gulley gratings clear, rodding access labelled, drainage fall direction confirmed, no standing water

External Areas

Area	Typical defect categories identified
Garage	Garage door operation and weather seal, floor slab crack and flatness, fire door rating and self-closing (Part B — FD30 min for integral garage), electrical provision, threshold/step levelness
Driveway & Parking	Block paving or tarmac surface level and joint sand, drainage fall away from building (1:60 min), dropped kerb alignment, any cracking or settlement
Paths & Steps	Path surface level and drainage fall (1:60 min), step riser/going consistency, step nosing contrast marking (Part M), handrail on 3+ risers (Part K), no loose or cracked slabs
Garden & Landscaping	Turf or topsoil depth (150mm min — NHBC Ch.9), boundary fence post setting and rail fixings, gate latch and hinge operation, path flatness, gulley grating clear
Balcony / Terrace	Balustrade height (1100mm min — Part K), balustrade gap (100mm max), drainage fall and outlet (1:60 min), waterproof membrane upstand (150mm min), door threshold weatherproofing, structural fixings

Boundaries & Services

Area	Typical defect categories identified
Boundaries (Fences, Walls, Gates)	Fence post setting depth and fixings, rail fixings to posts, gate post alignment and operation, latch and hinge condition, boundary wall pointing and coping, any planning condition compliance
Meter Boxes (Gas / Electric)	Meter box door operation and latch, sealing around box surround to wall (Part L — no draughts), box fixing to wall, service pipe entry sealing, correct box type for service, access clearance

E — Regulatory References

Reference section

Standard / Regulation	Applied to
Approved Document K	Glazing in critical locations (toughened/laminated), stair balustrade spindle spacing (max 100mm), window restrictors above ground floor, balustrade heights (min 1100mm), step handrails (3+ risers)
Approved Document B	Fire door rating and self-closing in integral garages (FD30 min), fire stopping at party walls in loft and under-stair storage, cavity barriers
Approved Document F	Extractor fan compliance in bathrooms (15 l/s min), kitchens and utility rooms — mechanical ventilation rates
Approved Document J	Boiler flue terminal clearances (min 300mm below any opening), combustion air provision
Approved Document L	Loft insulation depth (270mm mineral wool min), pipework insulation, HWC thermostat max 60°C, meter box and service entry sealing
Approved Document M	Step nosing contrast marking, accessible threshold heights, sanitary fittings heights where applicable
Approved Document P	Electrical installation EICR or completion certificate, RCD protection on all circuits, consumer unit specification
NHBC Standards Ch.3	Brickwork perpend joint tolerance (±5mm), lintel overhang minimum (25mm), DPC level minimum (150mm above FGL)
NHBC Standards Ch.5	Floor screed flatness tolerance (±5mm over any 3m), sub-floor ventilation — 75mm min vent height above ground
NHBC Standards Ch.7	Roof — ridge/hip mortar bedding, lead flashing laps (150mm min), gutter falls (1:600 min), soffit ventilation
NHBC Standards Ch.9	Drainage fall direction, topsoil depth (150mm min), patio drainage falls (1:60 min away from structure)
BS EN 12150	Toughened safety glass specification — critical location glazing compliance
Gas Safe / IGEM UP/2	Boiler commissioning certificate, gas pipework joints, flue specification, PRV discharge pipe routing
HBF / Consumer Code	Defects liability period obligations, developer response timescales, pre-completion inspection rights

F — Fields Captured per Defect

Flat section

Field	Description
Defect code	Auto-assigned reference (e.g. HSL-D01, FREL-D03, BOIL-D01) for tracking and developer correspondence
Severity	Minor / Major / Critical
Location	Room or area name (e.g. Bedroom 1, Front Elevation, Boiler / Plant Room)
Title	Short description (e.g. "Tile grout missing at bath surround junction")
Description	Full AI-drafted defect narrative including location, extent, and context
Regulatory reference	Applicable Building Regulation part, NHBC chapter, Gas Safe or BS standard where relevant
Tolerance / standard	Specific numeric tolerance cited where applicable (e.g. ±5mm floor flatness, 150mm DPC clearance, 1:600 gutter fall)
Recommended action	Suggested remediation — specific and actionable for developer correspondence
Photos	One or more inspection photos attached to the defect record
Resolved toggle	Mark as resolved once developer has completed remediation — visible in de-snag revisit report

G — Summary & Declaration

Flat section

Field	Description
Summary narrative	AI-drafted closing summary covering overall build quality, most significant defects, and recommended developer actions — surveyor reviews and edits before issuing
Developer action list	Consolidated list of all Critical and Major defects formatted for handover to developer / main contractor
Inspector's Declaration	Professional statement confirming inspection was carried out on the stated date by the named inspector
Inspector name & date	Populated from surveyor profile and inspection date entered in wizard
Signature	Digital signature from surveyor profile — shown in PDF export when uploaded

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