“Snags” are the defects, incomplete items, and workmanship issues that crop up in a property—most commonly in new builds, but also after conversions, refurbishments, extensions and loft conversions. Some are minor cosmetics; others are functional problems or details that can lead to bigger issues (especially where water, ventilation and external weathering are involved).
Below is a detailed guide to the most typical property snags, grouped in a practical way so you can understand what to look for—and why it matters.
1) Decoration and finishing snags (the most common)
These are the classic “new home” issues, and they’re often widespread:
Paintwork and plaster finishes
- patchy paint coverage, missed areas, roller marks and drips
- poor cutting-in at ceilings, corners and around sockets
- hairline plaster cracking (often shrinkage), poor sanding, uneven surfaces
- nail pops or visible fixings through plaster
- poor caulking lines at skirting and architraves
- staining or blemishes on ceilings and walls
Why it matters: Many are cosmetic, but repeated cracking or poor finishing at junctions can signal rushed work or movement at interfaces.
2) Joinery, doors and internal fittings
Small alignment and adjustment issues are extremely common:
Internal doors
- doors rubbing, sticking, not latching properly
- misaligned hinges, loose handles, rattling hardware
- uneven gaps around door frames
- damaged door edges or chipped frames
Skirting, architraves and trims
- gaps at joints and corners
- poorly filled mitres, rough cuts, inconsistent finishing
- trims not flush with walls, uneven lines
- unfinished edges around pipe boxing
Why it matters: Poor fitting can worsen with humidity changes and can indicate rushed final fix work.
3) Windows and external doors (a frequent complaint area)
Typical snags include:
- windows stiff to open/close or not seating correctly
- locks and keys not operating smoothly
- draughts around frames due to incomplete sealing
- scratched glass or damaged frames
- missing or poorly fitted trickle vents (where applicable)
- external door thresholds not properly finished or sealed
Why it matters: Poor sealing and alignment can lead to draughts, water ingress, and premature deterioration.
4) Kitchens, bathrooms and wet areas (high-risk snag zones)
Wet areas are where “small” defects can become costly.
Bathrooms and showers
- incomplete or messy silicone (bath/shower edges, shower screens)
- cracked grout, loose tiles, uneven tiling (“lipping”)
- poor falls to shower areas (where observable)
- leaks under basins, around wastes, or inside vanity units (where visible)
- loose sanitaryware fixings and wobble in fittings
Kitchens and utilities
- leaking taps, traps, or wastes (often slow drips)
- poor sealing around sinks and worktops
- misaligned cabinet doors/drawers, soft-close not working
- damaged worktops, chips, scratched splashbacks
- extractor not working correctly or excessive noise
Why it matters: Water-related snags can cause hidden damage behind finishes, leading to mould, staining, and costly remedial works later.
5) Floors and stairs (often noticed after you move in)
Typical floor and staircase snags include:
- creaking or squeaking floors
- uneven thresholds between rooms
- lifting edges to laminate/LVT
- damaged flooring finishes or scratches
- loose stair spindles or handrails
- squeaking stair treads or poor stair finishing details
- cracks at stair string junctions (often finishing related)
Why it matters: Some floor noise is common, but excessive deflection, loose components, or poor transitions should be recorded early.
6) Heating, plumbing and ventilation “snags” (basic functional defects)
A snagging list won’t replace specialist testing, but it should capture obvious issues:
Heating
- radiators not warming evenly (basic symptom)
- loose brackets or poorly finished pipe entries
- leaking valves or weeping joints (visible)
- thermostat/controls not responding as expected (basic use)
Plumbing
- slow draining sinks/baths
- poor water pressure at some outlets
- visible leaks under sinks or around pipework
- poor finishing around pipe penetrations
Ventilation
- extractor fans not operating, or running very noisily
- poor airflow signs (steamy bathroom with ineffective extraction)
- missing vents/grilles (where expected)
Why it matters: Ventilation and plumbing snags can quickly turn into condensation/mould or hidden moisture damage.
7) Electrical and “fit-out” snags (visible symptoms)
A snagging inspection typically records:
- loose sockets/switches or poorly aligned faceplates
- damaged fittings
- lights not operating (where safely testable)
- missing or poorly finished plates
- obvious issues with external lights/sockets (where present)
Why it matters: While not a substitute for an EICR, these defects should be corrected promptly and properly.
8) External snags (often the most important long-term)
External defects are easy to overlook but can drive the biggest problems over time.
Brickwork/render and external finishes
- poor pointing, stains, inconsistent finish
- cracks in render or mastic lines
- gaps around external penetrations (pipes/vents)
- unfinished or messy sealing around windows and doors
Rainwater goods and drainage
- leaking gutter joints, poor falls, sagging gutters
- downpipes not secured or discharging badly
- ponding water near walls
- paving falls directing water toward the property
- ground levels too high against external walls
External joinery and site completion
- poorly finished thresholds
- damaged external paintwork/timber
- incomplete landscaping/boundary finishing
- fences and gates not fitted properly
Why it matters: Water management issues outside are a major cause of damp, staining and premature deterioration. These are often more “serious” than cosmetic internal snags.
9) Loft, roofline and high-level details (as visible)
Depending on access and visibility, common snags include:
- slipped tiles or poor ridge/verge finishing (visible from ground)
- poorly finished flashings at junctions
- gaps at soffits/fascias
- defects around rooflights/dormers
- insulation/ventilation issues in accessible loft areas (where visible)
Why it matters: High-level defects can lead to water ingress and may require scaffold access to fix—so spotting them early is valuable.
10) Paperwork and “handover” snags (often forgotten)
Not all snags are physical. Typical handover snags include:
- missing keys for windows/doors
- incomplete manuals, warranties, commissioning certificates (where applicable)
- missing access panels or service labels
- appliance documentation not provided
Why it matters: Missing handover items can slow down repairs, servicing, and warranty claims.
The takeaway: typical snags fall into two “impact” groups
Cosmetic and comfort issues
Paint, plaster, trims, minor scratches—these affect quality and appearance.
Performance and risk issues (the ones to prioritise)
Wet area sealing, rainwater goods, external sealing gaps, drainage falls, ventilation—these are the snags that can become expensive if ignored.
A strong snagging list will include both, but it will highlight the high-risk items clearly.
Want a professional snagging list that catches the important issues—not just the obvious ones?
Email mail@howorth.uk or call 07794 400 212. Tell us what you’re buying (new build, conversion, refurb, extension) and your stage (pre-handover or post-completion). We’ll advise the best timing and produce a clear snagging list you can use to get defects resolved quickly and properly.