What Is a Snagging Survey?
A snagging survey (also called a new build survey) is a detailed inspection of newly constructed properties by qualified chartered building surveyors. Unlike standard building surveys assessing older properties throughout Brighton, snagging surveys focus on construction quality, finishing defects, and compliance with building regulations for new homes around Sussex.
Our RICS chartered surveyors conduct comprehensive snagging inspections before completion, identifying defects that builders should rectify before you move in. From minor cosmetic issues to serious structural concerns, snagging surveys ensure new builds in Brighton meet expected quality standards throughout the Brighton area.
Why New Builds Need Professional Surveys
Myth: "Everything's Guaranteed with NHBC Warranty"
Many buyers throughout Brighton believe NHBC (National House Building Council) warranties make surveys unnecessary for new builds around Sussex. This is dangerous thinking. Our chartered building surveyors regularly find significant defects in warranted properties throughout Brighton and Hove.
Reality Check: NHBC warranties cover major structural defects for 10 years but exclude numerous issues our surveyors find regularly in Brighton properties: poor workmanship, cosmetic defects, minor building regulation breaches, fit-and-finish quality problems, and non-structural issues throughout Sussex.
Additionally, claiming under NHBC warranties requires proving defects existed at construction—difficult without professional documentation from our chartered building surveyors for properties around Brighton. Snagging surveys provide evidence supporting warranty claims throughout the Brighton area.
Construction Quality Varies Enormously
Not all developers build to the same standards throughout Brighton and Sussex. Our RICS surveyors inspect new builds from major national developers and small local builders around Brighton—quality varies dramatically across properties in Brighton and Hove.
Pressure to complete developments quickly leads to shortcuts, rushed work, and inadequate supervision for properties throughout Brighton. Our chartered building surveyors identify quality issues before you're legally committed to purchases around Sussex.
Common Snags Our Brighton Surveyors Find
1. Cosmetic Defects
Most numerous snags are cosmetic finishing issues throughout Brighton properties:
- Poor paintwork—drips, misses, inconsistent coverage around Brighton
- Scratched or damaged floor finishes throughout Sussex properties
- Chipped or cracked tiles in bathrooms and kitchens for Brighton homes
- Poorly fitted doors—misalignment, gaps, incorrect operation around Brighton
- Damaged kitchen cabinets or worktops throughout the Brighton area
- Scuffed or marked walls requiring repainting in Sussex properties
Brighton Context: While cosmetic, these defects affect enjoyment of new properties around Brighton. Getting builders to return post-completion is difficult throughout Sussex—our snagging surveys identify issues while leverage exists to demand rectification for properties in Brighton and Hove.
2. Plumbing and Heating Defects
Our chartered building surveyors regularly find plumbing issues in new Brighton properties:
- Inadequate heating system balancing—some rooms too hot, others too cold around Brighton
- Poorly sealed bathroom fixtures—potential leak sources throughout Sussex
- Incorrectly installed heating controls in Brighton properties
- Drainage problems—slow drains or poor falls around Brighton and Hove
- Noisy plumbing systems throughout Sussex properties
Cost Impact: Correcting plumbing defects post-completion can cost £1,000-£5,000+ for properties around Brighton. Our snagging surveys identify these while builders are responsible for corrections throughout the Brighton area.
3. Electrical Issues
Electrical defects our RICS surveyors find in new builds around Brighton:
- Incorrectly positioned switches or sockets throughout Brighton properties
- Missing or damaged light fittings around Sussex
- Non-functioning appliances or controls in Brighton homes
- Insufficient socket provision throughout the Brighton area
- Incomplete electrical certification for Sussex properties
4. Windows and Doors
Common problems our chartered building surveyors identify for new builds in Brighton:
- Windows not opening, closing, or locking properly throughout Brighton
- Damaged window seals or frames around Sussex
- Poorly fitted external doors allowing draughts in Brighton properties
- Internal doors sticking or misaligned throughout the Brighton area
- Missing trickle vents required by building regulations around Sussex
5. External Works
Exterior defects our RICS surveyors note in new Brighton properties:
- Poor external finish—rendering cracks, pointing issues around Brighton
- Inadequate drainage causing waterlogging throughout Sussex
- Unfinished or poorly laid driveways and paths in Brighton
- Damaged roof tiles or flashings around Brighton and Hove
- Incomplete boundary treatments throughout the Brighton area
6. Building Regulation Concerns
Serious issues our chartered building surveyors identify in new builds around Brighton:
- Inadequate ventilation—condensation risk for Brighton properties
- Missing fire protection measures throughout Sussex
- Insufficient insulation around Brighton homes
- Incorrect installation of fire doors in Brighton flats
- Non-compliant staircase or balustrade design throughout the Brighton area
These aren't cosmetic—they're safety and compliance issues requiring immediate rectification for properties around Brighton and Hove. Our RICS surveys identify concerns before completion throughout Sussex.
When to Commission Snagging Surveys
Pre-Completion Inspection (Ideal Timing)
Our chartered building surveyors recommend snagging surveys 1-2 weeks before legal completion for properties in Brighton. At this stage, construction is virtually complete but you haven't taken ownership of properties throughout Sussex. Builders must rectify identified defects before completion around Brighton and Hove—you have maximum leverage.
Post-Completion Inspection
If pre-completion surveys weren't possible for Brighton properties, our RICS surveyors conduct post-completion snagging inspections throughout Sussex. While builders are still responsible under warranty for properties around Brighton, getting them to return quickly is harder post-completion throughout the Brighton area. Still valuable—documenting defects supports warranty claims for properties across Sussex.
What Our Snagging Surveys Include
Detailed Room-by-Room Inspection
Our chartered building surveyors methodically inspect every room in new properties around Brighton:
- Walls, ceilings, floors—finish quality, damage, defects throughout Brighton
- Windows and doors—operation, seals, locks, damage around Sussex
- Electrics—switches, sockets, lighting functionality for Brighton properties
- Plumbing—taps, fixtures, seals, drainage throughout the Brighton area
- Joinery—skirting, architraves, built-in furniture around Sussex
External Areas
Our RICS surveyors assess external aspects of properties in Brighton:
- Roof—visible tiles, flashings, gutters around Brighton
- Walls—render, brickwork, pointing quality throughout Sussex
- Gardens—drainage, levels, completion quality for Brighton properties
- Boundaries—fences, walls, access throughout the Brighton area
Services and Systems
Our chartered building surveyors test services where possible for properties around Brighton:
- Heating systems—operation, controls, radiator functionality throughout Sussex
- Hot water—adequate supply, temperature around Brighton
- Ventilation—extractor fans, trickle vents for Brighton properties
- Appliances—where included, basic operation throughout the Brighton area
Comprehensive Snag List
Our RICS surveyors provide detailed reports listing every defect found in properties throughout Brighton—complete with photographs, locations, descriptions, and recommended actions for properties around Sussex. You provide this to builders demanding rectification before completion for properties in Brighton and Hove.
Snagging Survey Costs and Value
Our chartered building surveyors charge £350-£700 for snagging surveys depending on property size around Brighton. Compared to purchase prices of £300,000-£700,000+ for new builds throughout Sussex, this represents tiny insurance protecting substantial investments in Brighton properties.
Return on Investment: Our typical snagging surveys identify defects costing £3,000-£10,000+ to rectify for properties around Brighton and Hove. Without professional surveys throughout Sussex, buyers often discover these issues after completion when negotiating leverage is lost for properties throughout the Brighton area.
Working with Builders Post-Survey
Present Snag Lists Professionally
Our RICS chartered building surveyors' reports provide professional documentation builders take seriously throughout Brighton and Sussex. Clearly list defects, reference our survey reports, and request rectification schedules for properties around Brighton and Hove.
Set Realistic Timeframes
Allow reasonable time for builders to address snags identified by our chartered surveyors for properties throughout Brighton—typically 2-4 weeks depending on extent around Sussex. Major issues may require delaying completion for properties in Brighton until resolved throughout the Brighton area.
Re-Inspection After Remedial Works
Our chartered building surveyors offer re-inspection services confirming builders properly rectified identified defects for properties around Brighton and Hove. This protects your interests ensuring works meet acceptable standards throughout Sussex properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but developer inspections serve different purposes for properties around Brighton. Builders conduct snagging to identify issues before handover throughout Sussex, but they're checking their own work for properties in Brighton and Hove. Our independent RICS chartered building surveyors represent your interests—not builders—throughout the Brighton area. We identify defects builders miss, overlook, or consider acceptable but shouldn't for properties throughout Sussex. Builder snagging lists typically contain 10-15 items; our independent surveys regularly find 50-100+ defects in new properties around Brighton requiring rectification. Professional independent snagging protects buyers' interests throughout the Brighton area with qualified chartered surveyors' objective assessment across Sussex properties.
You can, but untrained eyes miss significant issues our chartered building surveyors identify for properties around Brighton. Our RICS surveyors have construction knowledge, building regulation understanding, and experience identifying defects throughout Sussex. We know what's acceptable and what isn't for properties in Brighton and Hove. DIY snagging might catch obvious cosmetic issues around the Brighton area, but you'll likely miss plumbing problems, electrical defects, building regulation breaches, and structural concerns our professional surveys identify throughout Sussex. Additionally, builders take professional reports from chartered building surveyors more seriously than buyer complaints for properties around Brighton. Our comprehensive documented surveys carry weight in negotiations throughout the Brighton area providing professional credibility across Sussex properties.
If builders refuse rectifying legitimate defects our RICS chartered building surveyors identified for properties around Brighton, you have several options throughout Sussex: delay completion until issues are resolved for properties in Brighton and Hove; negotiate retention of funds to cover rectification costs around the Brighton area; pursue through NHBC warranty process for properties throughout Sussex; seek legal advice if defects are significant for properties in Brighton; consider whether to proceed with purchase if builders are completely uncooperative around Brighton and Hove. Most reputable developers throughout Sussex rectify genuine snags identified by professional chartered building surveyors—our reports provide credible evidence of defects requiring correction for properties throughout the Brighton area. Poor builder response is a red flag about future cooperation across Sussex properties.
Absolutely! Our chartered building surveyors conduct snagging surveys for new flats throughout Brighton and Sussex regularly. New build apartments around Brighton have the same construction quality issues as houses in Brighton and Hove—poor finishing, plumbing defects, electrical problems, joinery issues throughout the Brighton area. Additionally, new flats have specific concerns our RICS surveyors assess for properties around Sussex: fire door installation and sealing; soundproofing between units in Brighton; communal area quality around Brighton and Hove; ventilation adequacy throughout the Brighton area; balcony/terrace finishes for Sussex properties. New build flat buyers throughout Brighton deserve the same protection our professional snagging surveys provide throughout Sussex—ensuring quality meets expectations before completion across properties in Brighton and Hove.
Book our chartered building surveyors as soon as you have a completion date for properties around Brighton and Sussex. Developers typically provide 1-2 weeks' notice before completion throughout the Brighton area. Contact our RICS surveyors immediately upon notification for properties in Brighton and Hove—we'll schedule inspections shortly before completion around Sussex. Ideal timing is 5-10 days before legal completion for properties throughout the Brighton area, giving builders time to rectify defects our surveyors identify before handover around Brighton and Hove. If you've already completed without surveys for properties throughout Sussex, commission post-completion snagging inspections soon after moving in—our chartered building surveyors can still document defects supporting warranty claims throughout the Brighton area for properties across Sussex.
Yes—our RICS chartered building surveyors conduct different inspections for new versus older properties around Brighton. Snagging surveys focus on construction quality, finishing defects, and building regulation compliance for new builds throughout Sussex. Standard building surveys (Level 2 or Level 3) assess condition, structure, and defects in existing properties around Brighton and Hove. New builds throughout the Brighton area don't need structural surveys—they should be sound—but they need quality inspections our snagging surveys provide across Sussex. Conversely, older properties throughout Brighton need comprehensive structural assessment our building surveys deliver around Brighton and Hove. Our chartered surveyors tailor inspection types to property needs throughout Sussex—snagging for new builds; structural surveys for established properties across the Brighton area.
If our RICS chartered building surveyors identify serious defects in new properties around Brighton—structural issues, significant building regulation breaches, major installation problems throughout Sussex—we advise delaying completion for properties in Brighton and Hove. Serious defects require immediate rectification before taking ownership around the Brighton area. Options include: refuse completion until builders resolve issues for properties throughout Sussex; commission specialist structural engineer reports for properties in Brighton if our surveyors recommend; negotiate significant compensation or price reduction around Brighton and Hove; withdraw from purchases if defects are unacceptable for properties throughout the Brighton area. Fortunately, major issues are relatively rare in new builds throughout Sussex—most snags our chartered building surveyors find are moderate or minor requiring straightforward rectification for properties around Brighton.
Protecting Your New Build Investment
Buying new build properties around Brighton represents significant investment—often £300,000-£700,000+ throughout Sussex. Professional snagging surveys from our RICS chartered building surveyors provide essential protection, ensuring properties meet quality expectations before completion in Brighton and Hove.
Don't assume "new" means "perfect" for properties around Brighton. Construction quality varies throughout Sussex, and defects are common even in warranted properties across the Brighton area. Our comprehensive snagging inspections identify issues while you have leverage requiring builders to rectify problems for properties throughout Brighton and Hove before you complete purchases across Sussex.
Buying New Build in Brighton?
Our RICS chartered building surveyors provide comprehensive snagging surveys throughout Brighton and Sussex. Protect your investment with professional pre-completion inspections.
Book Your Snagging Survey