The Chartered Institute of Builders are clear - snag surveys are essential for newly built homes.
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has published its ‘New Build Housing: How Regulation Can Improve the Consumer Journey’ report. Its findings highlight how housebuilders need to do more to demonstrate quality to potential buyers when marketing new homes. It also includes results from a consumer survey of 2,000 UK adults* which found that 55% believe older homes are of better quality than new builds compared to 21% who think new builds are better. Almost a third of survey respondents (32%) chose to describe newly built housing as ‘poor-quality’.​The reality is good housing is the product of a complex production and maintenance process and achieving the quality standard you expect as a buyer is difficult, be it newly built or an established property. But unlike established property, new builds are an opportunity for buyers to start anew, with all services and features fully functioning and guaranteed.
The snag surveyor's role is to ensure that newly built housing delivers on a buyer's expectation and is supported by a valid warranty.
A snag survey is more than just a list of defects - it's the assurance to move forward confidently.
A snag survey is an inspection carried out by a professional surveyor to identify any defects or issues that need to be addressed before a property is handed to the owner. The surveyor will inspect the property thoroughly, looking for any issues such as incomplete work, poor workmanship or materials, damage and non-compliance with standards.
The benefits of a snag survey are numerous. Firstly, it can help to ensure that the property is in good condition and meets all necessary standards. This can help to avoid potential issues and costs in the future. Secondly, it can help to identify any issues that need to be addressed the property is handed over to the owner, which can help to avoid disputes and delays. Finally, it can provide peace of mind for the owner, knowing that their property has been thoroughly inspected and any issues have been identified and addressed.
Snag surveys and RICS surveys can be used in conjunction to provide a thorough evaluation of a property's condition. Snag surveys are designed to identify any defects and deviations in newly constructed buildings, while RICS surveys offer a more general analysis of a property's overall condition, including any potential issues that may arise in the future and are best suited to existing properties.
By utilizing both surveys, buyers and owners of newly built properties can gain a more complete understanding of their property's condition and take action to get the property right before moving in, or shortly after occupancy.
Snagging surveys complement RICS Home Buyer level 2 surveys and are more specific than Level 1 condition reports.