How Snag Lists Can Help New Property Owners

How can snagging lists help new property owners? If you’re thinking about buying a newly built house or apartment, snag lists are one of the most important property surveys you can have carried out. Unlike previously occupied properties, new builds tend to be free of superficial damage and wear and tear from inhabitants, however, damage and defects can be introduced during the construction, not to mention poor workmanship.

A snag list provides would-be buyers with peace of mind that when all the finishing touches are complete, the property will be of an acceptable standard when you take ownership. 

What is a Snagging List? 

If you’re looking to purchase a new build property, you’ll almost certainly encounter so-called snagging lists. Snag lists are provided by engineers and surveyors who seek to identify minor issues with a property, including ‘snags’ like unfinished renovations or superficial damage to floors or paintwork. They’re a useful pre-purchase survey for buyers worried about taking ownership of a poorly finished home.  In some cases, snagging lists will identify larger problems too.

Many buyers look to new builds when they don’t want to have to deal with extensive renovations or upkeep. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t experience too many issues with a new build property. However, there’s always the chance you’ll have to contend with minor problems that may have been overlooked during the development stage. 

When completing a purchase, putting together a snagging list is essential. These snagging lists will identify all concerns you have with the property and what needs rectifying before you complete a sale and move in.

If you’re moving into a second-hand property, things are a little different. It’s advisable to invest in an in-depth prepurchase or house survey and employ the services of an experienced building surveyor to engineer to carry it out. This way, you can be confident that any underlying issues with the property are identified before you sign a contract. In many cases, you may be able to negotiate with the seller to have these issues resolved at no cost to you.  

Do I Need a Snagging List? 

Snagging lists are highly recommended when buying a newly built property, in many cases the contractors will insist on one. It’s not uncommon for buyers of new builds to identify snags after moving into a property. Compiling a snagging list reduces the number of unwelcome surprises down the line, minimising the amount you’ll have to spend on rectifying issues yourself. Many issues highlighted by snag lists can be resolved immediately, but you’ll need to produce a list of defects before completing a purchase if you want any negotiating power with developers.

Once you’ve finalised a sale, it can be almost impossible to negotiate repairs with developers if you’ve failed to produce a snagging list. New build properties come with structural warranties. Although the checks involved are thorough, they won’t always flag minor defects.

For maximum peace of mind, it’s always a good idea to have a snagging list compiled. It not only reassures you that a property has been built to a high standard, but it also gives you the freedom to negotiate with developers before making the single biggest financial investment of your life.  

How Snagging Lists Can Help New Property Owners: What’s Included? 

If you have sufficient experience, it’s possible to put together a snagging list yourself. However, most property buyers don’t have the knowledge to produce an exhaustive property condition survey. Ultimately, it’s best to invest in the services of an expert.

An experienced surveyor will carry out a detailed inspection of the property, focusing on problem areas that usually yield the biggest concerns. Any issues, however minor, will be noted and compiled in a detailed report once the inspection is completed. Most of these concerns will be largely cosmetic, although structural problems may be identified. 

An external inspection will also be carried out, with a surveyor noting any damage to things like brickwork and facades. Snag lists usually don’t concentrate on things like boundary lines and land registry maps. Furthermore, they won’t delve too deeply into structural issues that should have been identified in an engineering report.

Because a snagging list is straightforward, you can expect the final report to be delivered quickly. Most of the time, you should receive a completed survey within 48 hours. A good surveyor or engineer should be able to accommodate a snagging survey at short notice and appreciate how time-sensitive the process is.  

How Much Will a Snagging Survey Cost? 

A range of factors determines the final cost of a snag list. Major factors include the size and layout of a building, as well its geographical location. The building stage of a new build can also influence the overall cost of carrying out a snag list survey.

At HomeCheck, we offer affordable solutions to anyone looking to have a snag list carried out. On a typical 1-2 bedroom apartment, snag lists typically cost in the region of €280 ex VAT.  

For a 3-4 bedroom house or duplex, a snag list survey will cost you €300 ex VAT.  

For larger buildings like 5-bedroom properties, snag list surveys may cost €350 ex VAT. 

If you’re looking for a second inspection to be carried out, the recheck typically costs €200 ex VAT. These prices cover the inspection of the property of itself, as well as the creation of a comprehensive survey report.  

What Should I Do Once I Receive the Report? 

Once you receive a final copy of a snagging list report, study it carefully. If there are any notes you don’t understand, it’s important to consult with the original surveyor so they can explain everything in detail.

Once a survey is completed, you’ll need to send a copy of the final report to the developer of the new build itself. Once they’ve received a copy, you can begin negotiating any repairs and agree upon a time frame for these remedial works to be completed. If a developer agrees to the terms and completes the work, it’s always worth having a second inspection carried out. This final survey will ensure remedial works have been completed to a high standard.  

Get in Touch Today 

Looking to purchase a new build property? Arranging a snagging list survey is essential. HomeCheck specialise in providing snag lists for prospective buyers in Ireland. We’ll ensure you’re as confident as possible with the condition of your new build before signing on the dotted line and moving in. 

Our expert surveyors will quickly identify anything that might be a cause for concern. With a snag list survey, you’ll be in a much stronger position to negotiate repairs and remedial work be carried out before committing to a purchase.

Ready to take the next step? Speak to the team at HomeCheck today. You can use the form on this page, or the Quote Form on the snag list page or drop us a message at info@homecheck.ie. Alternatively, call us on 1800 938 860 to speak to the team directly.