A home inspector (or snagging surveyor) is a specialist who inspects new build homes and produces a detailed list of defects - from minor cosmetic issues such as paint splashes and scratched glass to more significant items such as poorly fitted doors, inadequate drainage falls and missing insulation. Unlike the purchase of an older property, new build buyers often assume the home will be defect-free. In practice, most new build properties contain dozens of snagging items. A professional inspection before or shortly after legal completion gives buyers a formal record that the developer must act on. The home inspector market is currently unregulated - anyone can call themselves a home inspector - so RICS membership or RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association) membership is the best quality indicator.
What they do
- Inspect new build properties for cosmetic and workmanship defects
- Produce a detailed photographic snagging report for submission to the developer
- Check compliance with Building Regulations and NHBC standards
- Inspect roof spaces, drainage, external works and landscaping
- Carry out end-of-warranty inspections as the two-year developer warranty expires
- Assist with NHBC Buildmark warranty claims and dispute resolution
- Inspect shared ownership and Help to Buy properties before completion
- Provide re-inspection reports after developer rectification works
When you need one
New build buyers should consider commissioning an inspection at two key stages - before legal completion and just before the two-year developer warranty expires.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Snagging survey (2-bed flat) | £300 - £450 |
| Snagging survey (4-bed house) | £400 - £600 |
| End-of-warranty inspection | £350 - £550 |
| Defect report | £250 - £500 |
| Re-inspection after rectification works | £150 - £300 |
| Hourly rate | £60 - £100 / hr |
Costs vary by property size and location. Confirm that the fee includes a full written photographic report - a verbal inspection without a written report has limited value for developer negotiations.
Qualifications to look for
RPSA membership is a quality indicator for home inspectors and residential surveyors. Members must hold adequate qualifications, maintain PII and adhere to professional conduct rules. RPSA produces its own standardised snagging report format. Check membership at rpsa.org.uk.
Some home inspectors are RICS members with a building surveying background. RICS membership provides additional assurance of professional training and conduct, though it is not specific to new build snagging.
Many of the best snagging surveyors are experienced in construction - former site managers, building inspectors or clerks of works. Ask specifically about their new build experience and request sample reports before appointing.
How to find a reputable home inspector
Related Calculators
Extension Cost CalculatorFrequently asked questions
When should I get a snagging survey on a new build?
Ideally before legal completion - when the property is finished but before you exchange keys. This gives you a formal list of defects that the developer must rectify before or immediately after completion. If you missed the pre-completion window, a snagging survey in the first few weeks of occupation is still valuable, as you are still within the developer's initial rectification period. A second inspection at the end of the two-year developer's warranty period captures any defects that must be remedied before NHBC structural warranty takes over.
Can the developer stop me getting a snagging survey?
Developers can restrict access before completion - they are under no legal obligation to allow an independent inspector onto the site. However, after completion you can instruct an inspector at any time. Many developers will attend to snagging items identified in a professional snagging report more readily than informal lists from buyers, as the report establishes a formal record.
What is the difference between a snagging survey and an NHBC claim?
A snagging survey is a professional inspection that identifies defects and produces a report for the developer to act on. An NHBC claim is a formal complaint raised through the NHBC's resolution service when the developer has not remedied defects within a reasonable time. The NHBC Buildmark warranty covers structural defects for 10 years and developer defects for two years. A snagging report strengthens any subsequent NHBC claim.