Usually no — most new build snags are not deal breakers. They’re common, often minor, and typically resolved through the developer’s aftercare process. However, some snags can become deal breakers when they point to bigger risks: water ingress, safety failures, serious incomplete works, or a developer who won’t engage meaningfully.
The smarter way to look at it is this:
Snags themselves rarely kill a purchase.
Unresolved high-risk snags, repeated failed repairs, or a poor developer response can.
Below is a detailed guide to help you judge whether snags should change your decision—and what to do at each stage of the purchase.
1) Why most snags aren’t deal breakers
New build snagging often includes:
- small paint and plaster defects
- minor scratches or scuffs
- door adjustments
- small gaps needing caulk/sealant finishing
- minor tiling/grout imperfections
These are annoying, but they are usually:
- straightforward to fix, and
- routinely addressed during the defects/aftercare period.
If the issues are cosmetic and easy to remedy, it’s rarely rational to walk away—especially if the location and overall property suit your needs.
2) The real question: what type of snags are we dealing with?
A snag becomes more serious based on consequence and uncertainty.
A) Low-risk snags (rarely a deal breaker)
These are typically fixable without major disruption:
- paint touch-ups and minor plaster blemishes
- small chips to trims or doors
- minor grout touch-ups (non-wet zones)
- minor alignment issues that don’t affect function
- snag items that are clearly isolated and easy to access
B) Medium-risk snags (not usually a deal breaker, but require a plan)
These can be resolved, but you want them acknowledged and scheduled:
- doors and windows that don’t operate properly
- noticeable draughts around frames
- extractor fans not working effectively
- repeated shrinkage cracking (beyond a few hairlines)
- incomplete external sealing
These aren’t automatically “walk away” items—but they warrant a structured snagging list, written acceptance, and a clear remedial timetable.
C) High-risk snags (can become deal breakers)
These are the ones that can change the financial and practical risk of buying:
Water ingress and damp risk
- leaks (even minor), persistent staining, or damp smells
- failed shower/bath seals, loose trays, poor wet-area detailing
- gutter leaks, downpipes discharging badly, overflow staining
- external gaps around openings and penetrations
- paving falls directing water toward the building / ponding at walls
Water is the biggest “small defect becomes big cost” category.
Safety and security issues
- doors/windows not locking securely
- loose balustrades/handrails
- unsafe stairs/threshold trip hazards
- missing or defective safety-critical items (depending on context)
Significant incomplete works
- key items not installed/commissioned
- missing access panels or critical components
- parts of the property not truly ready for occupation (not just snagging)
Evidence of systematic poor workmanship
- widespread, repeated defects across many rooms
- rushed or inconsistent finishes everywhere
- snag items being “fixed” repeatedly but not properly resolved
A developer who won’t engage
Even moderate snags become deal-breaker territory if:
- the developer refuses to acknowledge issues,
- won’t provide dates,
- repeatedly closes items without fixing them, or
- makes aftercare excessively difficult.
3) The stage of your purchase changes what “deal breaker” means
Before exchange (maximum leverage)
If you’re pre-exchange, snags can affect:
- whether you proceed at all
- whether you renegotiate price/incentives
- what you require as a condition of exchange (e.g., works completed, written schedule)
This is the stage where you can be most demanding—because you can still walk away relatively easily.
After exchange, before completion (practical leverage)
You may be contractually committed, but you can still:
- require a written remedial plan
- push for critical items to be addressed pre-completion
- negotiate an allowance/discount if completion is imminent and works cannot reasonably be finished
After completion (aftercare and escalation route)
At this stage, “deal breaker” means:
- whether you can live comfortably and safely in the home, and
- how effectively the developer responds to defects.
If the developer won’t act, your focus shifts to structured complaints and evidence—rather than renegotiation.
4) A practical “deal breaker” decision test
Ask these five questions:
1) Is it cosmetic, or is it performance-related?
Cosmetic issues are rarely deal breakers. Performance issues (water, ventilation, security, safety) matter more.
2) Could this defect worsen quickly if not fixed?
If yes—treat it as high priority.
3) Is the defect easy to access and rectify?
Some fixes are simple; others require:
- re-tiling,
- opening up,
- scaffold access,
- multiple trades,
- disruption after you move in.
Hard-to-fix items deserve stronger leverage before you commit.
4) Can the developer give written acceptance and a date?
A good developer response reduces risk dramatically.
5) Do you trust the developer’s aftercare process?
If communication is poor before you move in, it often won’t improve after completion.
If you answer “no” to 4 and 5—and the snags are more than cosmetic—that’s when walking away becomes a rational option.
5) What to do if snags feel serious (without derailing the purchase unnecessarily)
Step 1: Get a proper snagging list with photos
A professional snagging inspection helps you distinguish:
- minor finish snags from
- defects that suggest deeper risk.
Step 2: Prioritise: urgent vs important vs cosmetic
Push hard for:
- water/weather-tightness defects
- safety/security issues
- functional failures
These should be resolved before you accept “completion” as a practical reality.
Step 3: Demand a written remedial programme
Ask the developer to confirm:
- what they accept
- when they will fix it
- how many visits are planned
- what access they need
Step 4: Consider a “hybrid” solution
Often the best outcome is:
- developer fixes high-risk defects promptly
- you agree a small allowance/credit for minor cosmetics if timing is tight
Step 5: Don’t ignore warning signs
If you see repeated failed repairs, evasion, or refusal to commit to dates—treat that as a risk signal in its own right.
6) So… are snags a deal breaker?
Most of the time:
No. They’re part of the new build reality and are usually resolved.
But they can be when:
- snags involve water ingress, safety, security, or significant incompletion
- defects appear widespread/systemic
- the developer refuses to engage properly or repeatedly fails to fix issues
- the cost/disruption or uncertainty is too high for your budget and tolerance
Want help deciding if your new build snags are “normal” or a red flag?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212. Tell us your stage (pre-exchange, exchanged, or completed) and the top snags you’re worried about—especially anything involving leaks, external drainage, windows/doors, ventilation, or recurring cracking. We’ll help you prioritise what matters, decide whether to proceed, and set out the strongest way to get issues resolved without unnecessary dispute.