Moving into a new house is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with responsibilities, one of which is the critical task of identifying and reporting snags within the first seven days of legal completion. But what exactly does this entail?
When you receive the keys to your new home, your builder will typically request that you report any scratches, dings, dents, or other defects within seven days. This process ensures that any immediate issues are documented and addressed promptly.
While you can walk through your home and note any visible defects yourself, an increasing number of homebuyers are opting for professional snagging services. Engaging a service like New Build Inspections can be beneficial as professionals are trained to identify even the smallest of issues and understand the proper methodologies for reporting them.
Many new homeowners feel pressured to complete their snagging inspection within the first week due to builder requirements. However, this timeline is part of the builder’s internal process and is not tied to your legal rights under your warranty agreement.
Most builders conduct a three or seven-day call to check on your settling in and to address any initial faults. These initial snagging lists are managed by your site manager before handing over to the customer care department.
It’s advisable to inform your builder early on, ideally during the home demonstration or key handover, that you will be using a professional snagger. This can help set expectations and ensure that your professional snagging report is taken into account.
Under your warranty agreement, you are entitled to submit snagging lists throughout the first two years. However, builders will only address defects that fail to meet the warranty provider’s technical manual standards. Always ensure that any snagging lists given to your site manager are also copied to customer care. This ensures a formal record and protects your rights if any defects affect your warranties on items like boilers or appliances.
It is important to thoroughly read and understand what is and isn’t covered under your warranty agreement. Many new homeowners are disappointed when builders refuse to address issues that aren’t considered defects according to the warranty guidelines.
Here are links to the three main warranty providers, which offer valuable information on what to expect and how to care for your new home:
Need More Information?
For more detailed advice or to book a professional snagging inspection, feel free to get in touch with us at New Build Inspections. Our team of experts is here to ensure your new home is as perfect as it should be.