Its easy to get swept away with the excitement of a new home whether you're a first time buyer starting out, or a senior heading into a retirement setting to enjoy well earned golden years. But it is important to make sure your home meets NHBC and Building Regulation standards, and your own expectations.
Snagging should ideally be done before you move in, best before you sign on the dotted line, but if like most you've moved in, go ahead and make that first cuppa, eat a take away from the top of a cardboard box and enjoy at least one nights peaceful sleep, after which its time to take a critical look at your new home and decide if the issues - and there will be issues - are easily dealt with by the sales team or site manager, or if you need a professional to take a deep dive look at life's main investment. Here's a few steps in helping you make that decision -
(i) The NHQB have produce a Consumer Code Book that can be downloaded from Downloads (nhqb.org.uk) The code requires the developer to inform you of any items of work internal or external, that remain incomplete or non-functional. Check this in your completion documentation. If there are no exceptions related to the house, the developer is in effect stating the house is complete and without defect.
(ii) Read this handy NHQB leaflet about snagging - what is a snag, what is not a snag, and what a snagging inspection is: https://developers.nhqb.org.uk/asset/8F1B966E%2D3A5C%2D4E84%2DA92E572EA714098F/
(ii) The NHQB also produce a handy albeit very basic snagging checklist called a Pre Completion Inspection. This is meant for professional snaggers to inspect the house when the property is substantively completed by the developer although snag inspectors rarely use this basic inspection. However, the house owner can use the checklist as a guide to assessing their house and deciding if a professional sang inspection is needed, or not. This checklist is available from Northern Survey email us at support@northernsurvey.net
(iii) If you find more defects than you are comfortable dealing with, or you are not confident in climbing into your attic to check the fire protection of your party wall is upto regulation, go online and google the snagging inspectors and building surveyors in your area for a professional opinion.
(iv) I earlier mentioned to snag as soon as you move in - or even better, prior to completing - but you do have two years to report defects to your developer. Snags are best reported before the build teams leave site, or before 2 years passes, after which defects become an HNBC warranty issue. In our experience the difficulty of getting snags corrected becomes exponentially difficult after this period.
(v) Your snag inspector will help you discuss matters with the developer or their customer teams, but if matters are not resolved you do have some fall back through the NHQB, NHBC and the Ombudsman. Keep these links safe for a rainy day - For Homebuyers (nhqb.org.uk) , Contact Us | NHBC , NHOS - The New Homes Ombudsman Service
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