If you are not buying the property off-plan and the property is build complete you should have it inspected before you exchange contracts. This will allow you to have clauses written into your contract to cover snagging issues, such clauses could allow you to hold back a sum of money or delay completion until the remedial work is completed to standard.

If you are buying off-plan it is usual to exchange contracts before the house has been finished or even started. In this case the best time to have the snagging inspection completed is when the builder serves notice to complete. This is usually done two weeks before you move in (legal completion) and will provide the builder with a reasonable amount of time to deal with any snagging defects identified during the inspection.

It is important to note that you can have the inspection carried out at any time in the first two years of your warranty and submit a snagging list at any time during this period.