Once you receive your snagging list survey, you’ve moved from “I think there are issues” to “Here is a clear, evidenced record of what needs fixing.” The next steps are about using that document properly so defects are resolved quickly, correctly, and with minimal dispute.
A good snagging list is only half the job. The other half is how you submit it, track it, and manage the remedial works.
Below is a detailed guide to what typically happens next—and how to get the best results.
1) Read it properly and understand how it’s structured
Most professional snagging lists are laid out in a practical format, usually:
- Room-by-room (e.g., Hallway → Kitchen → Bathrooms → Bedrooms)
- Then external areas (front/rear/side elevations, roofline observations, drainage falls, etc.)
- Often with photo references and sometimes priority levels
Before you send it on, do three things:
- confirm each snag includes a clear location (so it can’t be “missed”)
- check the photos are easy to match to the written items
- identify anything you want to flag as urgent (water ingress, safety, security)
2) Sort the snags into priorities (this helps you get action faster)
Developers and contractors respond better when the list is clearly prioritised. A useful way to group them is:
Priority 1: Urgent / high-risk
These are the snags most likely to lead to damage, safety concerns, or rapid deterioration:
- incomplete or failed sealant in bathrooms/showers/kitchens
- leaks (even slow drips under sinks or around wastes)
- guttering/downpipe leaks or poor discharge points
- external gaps around openings/penetrations
- paving falls directing water toward the building
- faulty locks, doors/windows not closing properly
- loose balustrades/handrails or trip hazards
Priority 2: Important quality issues
- sticking doors or windows needing adjustment
- cracked tiles, loose tiles, poor grout lines
- flooring defects likely to worsen
- poor finishing that will deteriorate (gaps, poor caulking, rough joinery)
Priority 3: Cosmetic / minor
- paint touch-ups, small scuffs, minor chips
- minor alignment issues that aren’t safety-related
- small hairline cracks that are clearly shrinkage-related
Why this step matters: If you send a long list with no structure, it’s easy for a developer to treat everything as “minor” and move slowly.
3) Submit the snagging list the right way (and do it promptly)
If it’s a new build (developer purchase)
Most developers have a customer care process (portal/email). Follow their method so there’s no argument about whether it was “logged correctly.”
Best practice:
- submit as soon as possible after handover (or pre-completion if allowed)
- attach the snagging list as a document and include key photos if required
- in your message, highlight Priority 1 items clearly (water/safety/security)
If it’s post-construction works (private contractor)
Send it to the contractor and request:
- confirmation they accept the list
- a proposed schedule for remedial works
- clarity on who is responsible for each item (especially where trades overlap)
Important: keep everything in writing. It’s not about being difficult—it’s about avoiding misunderstandings.
4) Agree a remedial plan: dates, access, and responsibility
After submission, the developer/contractor should respond with either:
- a list of actions and dates, or
- a visit to inspect the snags before scheduling work
At this stage, try to pin down:
A) Who is doing what
Many snags involve multiple trades. For example:
- a leak may need a plumber, then a joiner, then redecorating
- tile repair might require re-grouting and resealing
- external sealing may involve follow-on making good internally
Agree the sequence to avoid “half-fixes” that leave the property in a mess.
B) When the works will happen
Request firm dates where possible, especially for Priority 1 items.
C) What access is needed
If you live in the property:
- clarify working hours
- ensure someone is available for access
- protect your belongings if trades are returning (dust/damage risk)
5) Expect an initial visit (often a “snagging walk-through”)
It’s common for a developer/contractor to attend and verify items. This can be useful, but it can also be where disputes start if snags are minimised.
To keep it productive:
- walk them through Priority 1 items first
- keep the conversation factual: location, defect, photo reference
- avoid bundling issues into emotional statements (“the whole finish is poor”)
- agree what will be done and record it in writing afterwards
If an item is challenged, ask:
- “Can you confirm your position in writing?”
- “What is your proposed remedy?”
- “When will it be completed?”
6) Track progress properly (otherwise snags can drift for months)
Create a simple tracking system. Even a basic spreadsheet works:
- snag number / reference
- location
- status (logged / accepted / scheduled / completed / re-opened)
- date attended
- notes and photos after repair
Developers sometimes mark items as “completed” when they’ve been visited, not when they’ve been properly resolved. Tracking prevents that.
7) Check the remedial work quality (this is crucial)
It’s not uncommon for snag fixes to be rushed. Common examples:
- sealant re-done messy or incomplete
- paint touch-ups visibly mismatched
- door adjustments that “work today” but fail again
- tiles re-grouted without addressing the underlying movement or poor substrate prep
After remedial works:
- inspect the areas promptly
- re-check operation (doors/windows, fans, taps)
- take “after photos”
- re-log anything that isn’t genuinely resolved
8) Consider a follow-up snagging inspection (often worthwhile)
Some defects only become apparent after living in the property for a short period:
- shrinkage cracking in new plaster
- doors moving slightly as humidity changes
- sealant pulling away in wet areas
- minor leaks that appear after repeated use
A follow-up snagging check can be valuable if:
- your list was extensive
- remedial works were spread over multiple visits
- the property is a conversion (where junctions and moisture behaviour matter)
9) What if the developer disputes items or delays?
If you hit resistance:
- keep communication written and polite, but firm
- refer to the snagging list item number and photo evidence
- ask for a clear response and timeframe
- escalate through the developer’s customer care process if needed
- avoid letting Priority 1 items drift (water/safety/security)
The power of a snagging list survey is that it gives you a credible evidence base—use it calmly and consistently.
10) The best outcome: a closed snag list and a properly finished home
The goal isn’t conflict—it’s closure. A well-managed snagging process ends with:
- urgent items fixed quickly
- quality issues corrected properly
- cosmetic items resolved in batches
- a final walk-through or check-off
- written confirmation where needed that items are completed
Quick “what to do next” checklist
- Read the snagging list and identify Priority 1 items
- Submit it promptly using the developer/contractor’s process
- Get dates and responsibilities agreed in writing
- Track snags until completion
- Inspect remedial work quality and re-log issues if needed
- Consider a follow-up inspection for settling defects
Want help using your snagging list survey to get the best results?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212. Tell us whether it’s a new build handover or post-construction works, and we’ll advise how to submit the list, prioritise items, and manage the remedial process so defects are resolved quickly and properly.