New Build Snagging Survey – NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection
Buying a brand-new home? Our new build snagging survey (NHQB pre-completion inspection) spots defects before you hand over the final payment. A RICS-registered surveyor checks workmanship, finish, and compliance with the New Homes Quality Board standards, giving you a clear snag list to pass to your builder. Book now and move in with confidence.
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Quick answer: A pre-completion inspection is a new-build inspection carried out before handover. It helps identify unfinished work and visible defects while there is still time to raise them before you complete and collect the keys.
What Is an NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection?
An NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection (PCI) is a detailed snagging survey carried out 7–14 days before legal completion. It gives you an independent assessment of your new-build’s finish and compliance with the New Homes Quality Code, so the developer can put things right before you get the keys.
- Purpose: Identify snags, defects, and incomplete works.
- Standards Checked: NHQB checklist covering over 250 quality points.
- Areas Inspected: Brickwork, roof, windows, doors, joinery, plumbing, electrics, decoration, gardens, and garages.
- Deliverable: Same-day digital snag list with photos and priority ratings.
- Outcome: Leverage for the developer to remedy issues before you complete and move in.
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What can a pre-completion inspection help identify?
This stage of inspection is about spotting issues before handover, while the property is still with the builder. The exact findings will vary from one home to another, but the aim is to give you a clear report on visible issues and incomplete items.
- Unfinished work
- Visible defects in fittings and finishes
- Issues that need correction before you move in
- Items you may want to raise with the builder before completion
When should you book a pre-completion inspection?
Book once your build is close enough for access to be arranged and before legal completion takes place. The main aim is to leave enough time for the report to be reviewed and for issues to be raised before handover.
- Book as early as you can once access is realistic
- Check who is arranging site access
- Share any key dates when you enquire
- Leave time to review the findings before completion
When Should You Book a Pre-Completion Snagging Survey?
The best time to arrange your pre-completion snagging survey is once the developer issues a formal notice that the property is “build-complete” but before you exchange final funds. This window—typically 7 to 14 days before completion—gives the builder enough time to fix defects without delaying move-in.
- 7-14 Days Pre-Completion: Ideal slot to spot snags and allow trades back on site.
- Developer Walk-Through: Schedule our inspection before or alongside your hand-over visit for independent reassurance.
- Mortgage Deadlines: Booking early avoids last-minute stress with lenders or solicitors.
- Year-End Builds: December completions often feel rushed—an independent survey protects you from defects being glossed over.
Need advice on timing? Contact us and we’ll coordinate directly with your site manager.
What We Check During Your New-Build Snagging Survey
Our inspection follows the full NHQB Pre-Completion Checklist and goes beyond cosmetic snags. A RICS surveyor checks each room and external element, logging every issue with photo evidence and priority grading.
External Shell
- Brickwork, render, pointing
- Roof tiles, flashings, gutters & downpipes
- Windows, seals, sills, vents and trickle-vents
- Driveway finish, drainage falls, garage fit-out
Internal Finish
- Walls, ceilings & joinery for cracks or poor paintwork
- Doors, ironmongery, stairs & balustrades
- Floor levels, squeaks & trip hazards
- Tiling alignment, grout lines & sealant
Services & Safety
- Boiler install, radiators & pipework leaks
- Consumer unit labelling & socket testing
- Plumbing traps, flow rates & drainage falls
- Smoke/heat alarms, ventilation & trickle-vents
Gardens & Boundaries
- Turf quality, top-soil depth & levels against damp-course
- Fences, walls & gates for alignment and fixings
- External taps, lighting & power points
- Driveway finish, kerbs & drainage channels
Every snag is logged in a digital report the same day, so your site manager can schedule remedial work before completion.
What Happens After the Inspection?
Within 24 hours you’ll receive a PDF snag list with photographs, priority codes and clear descriptions. Simply forward the report to your site manager, who is obliged under the New Homes Quality Code to address the issues before legal completion. We remain on hand to clarify any items with the developer if required, ensuring every snag is fixed—not ignored.
What to do with the report before completion
Once you receive the report, review it while there is still time to act. The main value of a pre-completion inspection is that it gives you a clearer picture before handover, not after you have already moved in.
Useful next steps
- Read through the findings and flag any points you want clarified
- Send the report or snagging points to the builder or site team
- Keep a record of what has been acknowledged or agreed
- Decide whether you also need a Post-Completion Survey or a New Build Snagging Survey after handover
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FAQs
What is an NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection?
An NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection (PCI) is an independent snagging survey carried out 7–14 days before you legally complete on a new-build home. It follows the New Homes Quality Board checklist to identify defects so the developer can put them right before you move in.
How long does a pre-completion snagging survey take?
Most surveys take 2–3 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the property. You’ll receive the digital snag list within 24 hours of the inspection.
How much does a new-build snagging survey cost?
Fees typically start from £350 for an apartment and from £450 for a three-bed house, increasing with property size. The cost is usually far less than the price of fixing hidden defects after completion.
Is a post-completion survey still useful if I miss the PCI window?
Yes. If you’ve already completed, a post-completion snagging survey will highlight missed defects during your warranty period. However, a PCI is preferable because it obliges the builder to fix issues before you hand over the final payment.
Pre-Completion Inspection FAQs
What is a pre-completion inspection?
A pre-completion inspection is a new-build inspection carried out before handover. It helps identify unfinished work and visible defects before you complete on the property.
When should I book a pre-completion inspection?
You should book when the property is close enough for access to be arranged and before legal completion takes place. Booking too late can reduce the time available to review the report and raise issues before handover.
What is the difference between a pre-completion inspection and a post-completion survey?
A pre-completion inspection happens before you get the keys, while a post-completion survey happens after you have moved in. The main difference is the stage of the buying process and when the findings are raised.
Not sure which new-build inspection fits your stage?
If you are close to handover and want a clear report before completion, a pre-completion inspection may be the right next step. If you have already moved in, you may be better suited to a Post-Completion Survey or a New Build Snagging Survey.
Ready to Book Your Level 3 Survey?
Ready to secure a flawless hand-over? Call us on 01733 590038 or email info@blueblossomsurveysltd.co.uk and ask for a pre-completion snagging survey. We’ll book your inspection, liaise with the site manager, and deliver your snag list within 24 hours—so you can complete with confidence.
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Call 01733 590038| Inspection stage | Best for | When it happens | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Completion Inspection | Buyers who want visible issues and unfinished work identified before handover | Before legal completion and before getting the keys | Raise findings before handover |
| Post-Completion Survey | Buyers who have already moved into a new build and want issues recorded early | After completion | Raise issues with the builder or warranty provider |
| New Build Snagging Survey | Buyers who want a broader snagging-focused review of visible defects | Usually around handover or shortly after | Create a clear snagging list for follow-up |