Yes — snags are extremely common after construction works, even when the contractor is reputable and the standard of workmanship is generally good. In fact, snagging is a normal part of how building projects finish: multiple trades overlap, materials settle, final fix items need adjustment, and small details are often left until the last days of the programme.
What matters isn’t whether snags exist — it’s how quickly they’re identified, documented, and resolved, and whether the snags are genuinely minor or are warning signs of deeper issues.
Below is a detailed explanation of why snags happen, what kinds are most common, what’s “normal”, and when snagging should raise concern.
1) Why snags happen (even on good projects)
A) Construction is sequential and multi-trade
Most projects involve:
- demolition/strip-out
- structure and first fix
- plastering
- second fix joinery and services
- tiling, decorating, flooring
- final sealant, trimming and touch-ups
Each stage depends on the one before it, and delays at one stage compress time at the end. When the programme tightens, minor defects and incomplete finishing are more likely.
B) “Practical completion” isn’t the same as “perfect”
Many projects reach a point where the property is safe and usable, but still has:
- touch-ups, adjustments, and making good
- minor alignment issues
- incomplete sealant or finishing details
- small damage from other trades
This is precisely what snagging is designed to capture.
C) Materials settle and change slightly
Even after the contractor leaves, the building continues to “settle” in small ways:
- new plaster can shrink, causing hairline cracks
- timber moves with humidity, affecting doors and trims
- sealants cure and can pull away if applied poorly
- new floors can reveal movement or creaks once lived on
Some of these are normal; some indicate rushed finishing.
D) The last 10% of the job is the hardest
Finishing work is detail-heavy. It includes:
- silicone and mastic lines
- door and window adjustments
- aligning ironmongery
- making good around sockets/pipework
- threshold details and trims
- snag repairs from earlier phases
This is where “good enough” thinking can creep in if the project is under time or cost pressure.
2) What types of snags are most common after construction?
Snags typically fall into a few predictable categories:
A) Finishes and workmanship snags (very common)
- patchy paintwork, drips, poor cutting-in
- plaster blemishes, small cracks, sanding marks
- gaps at skirting and architraves
- rough trim joints, inconsistent caulking
- scratched surfaces (glass, floors, worktops) from late-stage trades
B) Doors, windows and joinery adjustment issues
- doors rubbing or not latching
- hinges and handles loose or misaligned
- windows stiff, not sealing well, or needing adjustment
- draughts due to incomplete sealing
C) Wet area defects (must be taken seriously)
- incomplete or messy silicone around baths/showers/sinks
- poor grout lines, cracked grout, loose tiles
- minor plumbing leaks under basins/sinks (slow drips)
- shower screens not sealed properly
D) Services “functional” snags
While snagging isn’t specialist testing, common post-work issues include:
- extractor fans noisy or ineffective
- lights not working correctly (basic symptom checks)
- loose sockets/switches
- radiator balancing issues (some rooms warmer than others)
- thermostat controls not behaving as expected
E) External finishing and rainwater management (often overlooked)
- gutters leaking, poor falls, joints not sealed
- downpipes discharging poorly (saturating ground/walls)
- mastic lines around external frames incomplete
- poor falls to paving causing ponding
- cracks in render or incomplete pointing
External snags are especially important because water management defects can create longer-term deterioration.
3) What’s “normal snagging” vs what should worry you?
Normal (expected) snags
These are common and usually easy to resolve:
- minor paint and plaster touch-ups
- hairline shrinkage cracks
- doors needing adjustment
- small caulking/sealant tidying
- minor cosmetic marks from final fix work
Snags that should raise concern
These are the ones that can signal deeper issues or create expensive consequences:
Water and weathering risks
- leaks (even minor)
- failed shower/bath seals
- gutter leaks and downpipe discharge issues
- external gaps around penetrations
- ponding water toward walls
Recurring defects or repeated failed repairs
- cracks that reappear quickly after being “fixed”
- sealant that pulls away repeatedly
- persistent staining returning after decoration
Quality issues that suggest systemic poor workmanship
- consistently poor finishes across multiple rooms
- widespread misalignment of doors/windows
- multiple areas of loose or incomplete fixing
Safety or security issues
- front doors/windows not secure
- loose handrails/balustrades
- trip hazards from poor threshold finishing
If you see these, treat snagging as more than a cosmetic checklist—it becomes a risk-control exercise.
4) How common snags vary by project type
Extensions and structural alterations
Snags commonly appear at junctions:
- roof-to-wall interfaces
- flashings and abutments
- external making good
- internal cracks at old/new junctions
Loft conversions
Typical snags include:
- stair finishing issues
- doors and fire-protection details needing adjustment
- insulation/ventilation issues (where visible)
- roof junction and dormer finishing concerns
Bathroom/kitchen projects
Most snags relate to:
- sealing and water management
- alignment and finishing of units
- plumbing leaks and drainage falls
- ventilation effectiveness
Full refurbishments
Common snags include:
- widespread finishing inconsistencies
- flooring transitions
- joinery alignment
- making good around services and new openings
5) The role of a snagging list after construction
Because snags are common, the best approach is to plan for them:
A) Snag at the right time
- at practical completion (before final payment if possible)
- then a short follow-up snag a few weeks later for settling defects (optional but useful on bigger projects)
B) Document properly
A snagging list should be:
- numbered items
- clear locations
- photographs
- priorities (urgent vs minor)
C) Keep leverage where you can
If possible, align snagging with:
- retention
- staged payments
- final sign-off conditions
This encourages timely return visits and proper completion.
6) The takeaway
Snags are common after construction works—so common that snagging should be treated as a normal project stage, not an exception. The key is to identify and resolve them properly, prioritising anything involving water, external weathering, ventilation, safety, and security, because those are the snags that can escalate.
Want a professional snagging inspection after your building works?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212. Tell us what work has been completed and where you are in the process (practical completion, final payment, post-completion). We’ll advise the best timing and produce a clear snagging list that helps you get defects resolved quickly and properly.