A new-build home might look perfect when you first walk through it. Fresh paint, brand-new kitchens and spotless bathrooms can make it difficult to spot the smaller problems.
But new homes can contain hundreds of individual components, and even minor defects can be expensive or frustrating if they are missed.
Whether you are buying a new-build house in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex or elsewhere in the South of England, this checklist will help you understand some of the things worth looking for.
Outside the property
Start with the exterior before you even walk through the front door.
1. Brickwork
Look for cracked, damaged or poorly finished bricks and inconsistent mortar joints.
2. Roof
Check for missing, damaged or poorly aligned tiles and visible gaps around roof features.
3. Gutters and downpipes
Make sure gutters are securely attached and that downpipes appear correctly connected.
4. Windows and doors
Open and close every external door and window. They should operate smoothly and seal properly.
5. External sealant
Check around window and door frames for gaps, cracks or incomplete sealant.
6. Drainage
Look at external drains and gullies. They should be clear and correctly finished.
7. Garden levels
Check whether the ground around the property appears to drain away appropriately and whether there are obvious areas where water could collect.
Walls, ceilings and floors
These are some of the easiest areas to inspect but also some of the most frequently overlooked.
8. Walls
Look for cracks, dents, uneven surfaces and poor plastering.
9. Ceilings
Check for cracks, staining, uneven finishes or visible imperfections.
10. Paintwork
Look carefully around corners, skirting boards, door frames and ceilings for missed areas or splashes.
11. Flooring
Check for damaged flooring, loose boards, uneven surfaces and poor joins.
12. Skirting boards
Look for gaps, damage and poorly finished joints.
Doors and woodwork
13. Internal doors
Open and close every door. Check that they don’t stick, scrape or fail to close properly.
14. Door frames
Look for damage, gaps and poor finishing.
15. Handles and locks
Check every handle, latch and lock.
16. Staircase
Walk up and down the stairs and check for movement, damage or excessive squeaking.
17. Balustrades and handrails
Make sure they are secure and properly finished.
Kitchen
18. Cupboard doors and drawers
Open everything. Check that doors are aligned and drawers run smoothly.
19. Worktops
Look for chips, scratches, poor joins and gaps around appliances.
20. Sealant
Check around sinks, worktops and splashbacks for complete and neat sealing.
21. Appliances
Where possible, check that included appliances are installed and functioning correctly.
22. Taps and sink
Run the tap and check for leaks underneath the sink.
Bathrooms
23. Toilets
Flush every toilet and check that it fills and empties correctly.
24. Taps
Run hot and cold water from every tap.
25. Shower
Check the shower operates correctly and that water drains away properly.
26. Baths and basins
Look for chips, scratches and poor sealant.
27. Extractor fans
Check that bathroom ventilation operates correctly.
Electrics, heating and ventilation
28. Sockets and switches
Check that sockets and switches are secure and appear correctly fitted.
29. Heating
Test the heating system and check radiators are working.
30. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Check that required alarms are installed and functioning.
Don’t stop at the obvious
The biggest mistake buyers can make is only looking for things that are immediately visible.
Some problems only become apparent when the property is occupied.
For example, you may notice:
- A door that catches when humidity changes
- Water that drains slowly
- A radiator that does not heat properly
- A window that develops condensation
- Poor ventilation
- Uneven flooring
- Heating controls that don’t operate as expected
This is one reason why an independent professional snagging inspection can be worthwhile.
Why use an independent snagging inspector?
A developer’s inspection team has an important role, but an independent inspector works for you.
At Snagmaster, our inspections are designed to systematically assess your new-build home and identify defects that may otherwise be overlooked.
The earlier problems are identified, the easier it is to raise them with the developer and have them addressed.
Buying a new-build?
Don’t assume that because everything is new, everything is finished properly.
Use this checklist as a starting point, but for a comprehensive inspection, consider arranging an independent professional snagging survey before or shortly after completion.