Snagging After Completion: Can You Still Get a Survey Once You’ve Moved In?

You completed on your new build, moved in, and now you are finding things that should not be there. A door that will not close properly. Cracked grout in the bathroom. A boiler that trips the electrics. You are wondering whether you missed your chance to snag before completion — and whether anything can still be done.

The answer is yes. Snagging after completion is not only possible, it is often more thorough than a pre-completion inspection. This guide explains what post-completion snagging covers, when you can still act, what your developer is responsible for, and why a professional snagging survey after moving in can still save you significant money and frustration.

What Is Post-Completion Snagging?

Snagging is the process of identifying defects — workmanship issues, unfinished details, faults in materials or fixtures — in a newly built property. Pre-completion snagging happens before you legally complete and receive keys, ideally with a professional inspector walking through the property with a defects list.

Post-completion snagging is exactly the same process, carried out after you have moved in. It is not a lesser version — in some ways it is more thorough, because you can now test everything: every plug socket, every tap, every door, every window, under real living conditions. Some defects only become apparent once a property is occupied and heating is running through the system.

A post-completion survey from a qualified surveyor documents every defect with photographs, location references, and descriptions — creating a formal record that you can submit to your developer and, if necessary, use to escalate a complaint.

When Can You Still Snag After Moving In?

The short answer: within your warranty period, typically up to 2 years for most defects.

The first 2 years: developer’s responsibility

For the first two years after completion, your developer is contractually obliged to fix defects caused by their workmanship or materials. This is not a courtesy — it is a requirement under most new build warranty schemes (NHBC Buildmark being the most common).

Importantly, “defect” means something that deviates from the building standards and specification the property was built to. It does not mean normal wear and tear, cosmetic deterioration, or damage you have caused.

There is no single deadline for reporting

Some buyers assume there is a fixed point — usually just before the 2-year mark — by which all defects must be reported. In reality, you can submit defects reports at any time within the warranty period. What matters is that you report promptly once you discover an issue, and that you have documentation to show when the defect was first noticed.

Years 3–10: structural warranty

From year 3 to year 10, most NHBC and equivalent warranties cover major structural defects only. These include issues with foundations, load-bearing walls, roofs, and floors. Smaller defects — uneven plastering, stiff doors, cracked caulking — are no longer covered once the 2-year defects period expires.

What the NHBC Warranty Covers (and What It Does Not)

The NHBC Buildmark warranty is the most widely used new build warranty in the UK. Understanding what it does and does not cover helps you set expectations when dealing with your developer.

Not all new builds have NHBC cover. Some developers use alternative warranty providers such as LABC Warranty, Premier Guarantee, or Build-Zone. The principle is similar across providers, but the specific terms can vary. Check your title documents for your warranty certificate and provider details.

Common Defects Found in Post-Completion Snagging Surveys

New build properties vary widely in quality, but certain defects appear repeatedly in post-completion surveys. Knowing what to look for helps you identify issues that are genuinely the developer’s responsibility.

Internal defects

• Cracked or uneven plasterwork on walls and ceilings
• Doors and windows that stick, do not seal properly, or have misaligned hinges
• Gaps and cracking around skirtings, architraves, and window surrounds
• Poorly fitted kitchen units, drawers, or appliances that are not level
• Bathroom tiles with hollow spots, loose grout, or cracked adhesive
• Electrical sockets or switches that are not flush or properly secured
• Inadequate ventilation in bathrooms or kitchens leading to condensation

Heating, plumbing, and services

• Noisy pipes, unbalanced radiators, or heating zones that do not respond correctly
• Hot water that runs cold intermittently or takes too long to reach temperature
• Taps or showers with poor pressure or slow drainage
• Boiler faults, error codes, or repeated pressure drops
• Extractor fans that are noisy, underpowered, or incorrectly ducted

External defects

• Cracked render, gaps in pointing, or damaged brickwork
• Flat areas on driveways or pathways that allow water to pool near the property
• Poorly fitted or misaligned gutters and downpipes
• Gates or fences that are not properly installed or secured
• Uneven landscaping or inadequate drainage in gardens

How to Report Snagging to Your Developer After Completion

Reporting defects effectively — and in a way that creates a clear paper trail — gives you the best chance of getting them fixed promptly and without dispute.

Report in writing, always

Do not rely on verbal conversations with site managers or customer care representatives. Submit all defect reports in writing via email or the developer’s formal customer care portal. This creates a timestamped record of when the defect was first reported, which matters if the developer disputes responsibility later.

Be specific and use photographs

Vague reports like “there are cracks in the plaster” are easy for developers to deprioritise. Specific reports with photographs, room locations, and descriptions of the defect are harder to ignore and easier for the developer’s contractor to action without a site visit.

Use the warranty provider if the developer is unresponsive

If your developer fails to acknowledge your defects report or refuses to repair legitimate issues within a reasonable time, you can escalate to your warranty provider. For NHBC properties, their Resolution Service helps mediate disputes between homeowners and developers during the defects period.

Keep a defects log

Note the date you first noticed each defect, the date you reported it, and the developer’s response and promised repair date. If issues recur or the developer cancels appointments repeatedly, this log supports any escalation.

Do You Need a Professional Snagging Survey After Moving In?

You can absolutely compile a snagging list yourself. Many new build buyers do. But there are clear advantages to having an independent professional carry out a post-completion survey.

A professional identifies what you miss

A trained surveyor will check areas and systems that most homeowners overlook: roof ventilation, drainage falls, boiler flue positioning, fire door compliance, structural settlement patterns, and the condition of components above ceiling height. These issues may not present obvious symptoms for months.

An independent report carries more weight

Developers take professional reports seriously in a way they do not always extend to buyer-compiled lists. A formal document from a qualified surveyor — with photographs, descriptions, and references to building standards — is much harder to dispute or delay.

It provides a record for the future

If disputes escalate, or if you later sell the property and issues are raised in a buyer’s survey, having a documented professional snagging report from shortly after completion gives you evidence of the property’s condition and the developer’s obligations.

Our post-completion snagging surveys are available across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Corby, Rutland, and the surrounding area. We produce a clear defects report you can use immediately with your developer.