Moving into a new-build home can come with a surprising amount of paperwork. You might receive an EPC, warranty documents, electrical certificates, boiler instructions, appliance manuals and information from your developer — sometimes in a folder, sometimes by email and increasingly through an online portal. The problem is that nobody necessarily explains what all of it actually means. Some documents could be important when you sell your home. Others explain how equipment wor

UK new-build home with wet driveway and visible gutters shortly after heavy rain If it's just stopped raining, walk around the outside of your home. Check the gutters and downpipes for drips, overflows or staining. Look at external walls for unusually dark or persistently wet patches, particularly beneath joints and pipe runs. Check gullies and drainage points for backed-up or slow-moving water. Look at paths, patios and driveways for water pooling or heading in the wrong dir

Something goes wrong in your new-build home. Do you call the site manager? Customer care? The developer? Your warranty provider? The boiler manufacturer? Your utility company? The right answer depends on what has gone wrong and how urgent it is. For most construction defects, the developer’s aftercare or customer care team should be your main formal contact. But emergencies, utility problems, appliances and unresolved disputes may need a different route. Here’s a simple way t

You find a problem in your new-build home, report it to the developer and get a frustrating response: “That should have been reported within the first 7, 14 or 30 days.” Does that automatically mean they can refuse to deal with it? Not necessarily. A short initial snagging window can be relevant to obvious cosmetic damage, where it becomes harder to prove when the damage occurred after you have moved in. But that is different from a construction defect that may have existed f

Finding something unusual in a new-build home can quickly lead to conflicting advice. One person may suggest a thermal imaging survey. Another may recommend sending up a drone. Someone else may say you need a specialist damp survey. But these inspections are designed to investigate different problems, and paying for the wrong one may give you little more than additional photographs or readings without explaining what is actually wrong. The simple answer Most new-build homeown

A leaking gutter, deteriorating bathroom sealant or damaged kitchen worktop can raise a surprisingly difficult question: Is this still a new-build defect, or has it become ordinary wear and tear? The answer is rarely based on the issue alone. It also depends on: how old the home is; when the problem first appeared; how the item has been used; whether it has been reasonably maintained; the material and expected durability; and whether the failure points back to the original in

Published: July 2026 SnagClear – Helping UK New Build Homeowners Record, Report and Track Snags If you've recently moved into a new-build home, you're probably wondering: "How long does the developer have to fix my snags?" Unfortunately, there isn't a simple legal deadline that applies to every defect. The timescale depends on the nature of the snag, your warranty provider, your developer's aftercare process and how serious the issue is. The good news is that most reputable d

Published: July 2026 Buying a new-build home is exciting, but discovering defects before completion can leave many buyers asking the same question: Can I refuse to complete on a new-build property because of snags? The short answer It depends. In most cases, minor cosmetic snags are not enough to justify refusing legal completion. However, if significant defects affect the property's safety, security, weatherproofing or habitability, you should seek advice from your solicitor

Buying a new-build home comes with a long list of decisions, and one of them is whether to pay for a professional snagging inspection or inspect the property yourself. For many homeowners, the decision comes down to cost. A professional snagging inspection can cost several hundred pounds, while a DIY inspection costs little beyond your time and, if you choose to use one, the cost of a snagging app or reporting tool. But cost is only part of the decision. A good professional i

Finding defects in your new-build home is frustrating enough. Receiving an email saying "No defect found", "Within tolerance", or "No further action required" can be even more so. Many homeowners assume this is the end of the conversation. In reality, it often isn't. Sometimes the developer is correct. Sometimes the issue genuinely falls within accepted industry tolerances. But in other cases, the defect may not have been fully understood, adequately inspected, or clearly evi

Most snagging issues can be resolved directly with your developer. In many cases, a simple email, photograph and a bit of patience are all that is needed to get a problem fixed. However, not every defect is straightforward. Sometimes a developer disagrees that a problem exists. Sometimes repairs fail repeatedly. In other situations, homeowners receive conflicting advice from developers, warranty providers and contractors, leaving them unsure who is correct. In these circumsta

Buying a new-build home is exciting, but it can also be frustrating when you start noticing issues after moving in. A common question homeowners ask is: "Is this actually a defect, or am I being unreasonable?" The answer is not always straightforward. Some issues are genuine defects that a developer should investigate and rectify. Others may be cosmetic imperfections, normal settlement, maintenance items or features that fall within accepted construction standards. Understand

Many homeowners assume that once they have completed on their new-build home and any snagging inspection has been carried out, all significant defects should already have been identified. In reality, some issues only become apparent after weeks, months or even seasons of occupation. This doesn't necessarily mean a defect was missed. A professional snagging inspection is a snapshot in time. Some defects simply do not exist yet. Materials continue to dry out, homes settle, exte

Timber frame construction is becoming increasingly common across the UK. Modern timber frame homes can be energy efficient, quick to build and perform extremely well when designed and constructed correctly. However, timber frame homes work slightly differently to traditional masonry construction, particularly when it comes to moisture management, ventilation and movement. If you're buying a timber frame new build, understanding a few key construction details can help you bett

If you own a new build home, your 2-year developer warranty period can pass surprisingly quickly. Many homeowners only realise they are nearing the end of it when a problem becomes more noticeable — and by then, it can be harder to get issues acknowledged or resolved. The period leading up to your 2-year warranty expiry is one of the most important times to inspect your home properly and make sure any outstanding defects are clearly recorded. What Is the 2-Year Warranty Perio

New build homes often spark debate among buyers and experts alike. Some people are drawn to the idea of owning a brand-new property with modern features, while others hesitate because of concerns about build quality or value compared to older homes. The truth is that new builds come with clear advantages and some drawbacks. Whether they are worth buying depends on your personal priorities, budget, and how well you understand what to expect before making a purchase. Modern new

Buying a new-build home is exciting, but many homeowners are surprised to discover that even brand-new properties can contain defects or unfinished items. From uneven paintwork and scratched window frames to poorly fitted doors or cracked sealant, most new-build homes will have some level of snagging items that need attention after completion. One of the most common questions buyers ask is: Can I snag my own new-build home, or do I need a professional snagging company? The ho

Buying a home comes with a huge amount of paperwork, inspections and advice — and many buyers are left confused by terms like Level 2 Survey, Level 3 Survey, Homebuyer Report and Snagging Inspection. They all serve different purposes, and understanding the difference can help you decide what level of inspection is right for your property and stage of purchase. In this guide, we’ll explain: what each report is who carries them out what they cover what they don’t cover and whet

Buying a new build home often comes with reassurance that the property is protected by a 10-year warranty. But many homeowners only properly look at the policy once something goes wrong. That’s usually when the confusion starts. Questions like: “Is this covered?” “Do I contact the developer or the warranty provider?” “What’s the difference between the first 2 years and the structural cover?” “What actually counts as structural?” “If something is built incorrectly, does that a

Your demo day (also called a pre-completion inspection) is one of the most important steps before you move into your new build home. It’s your chance to walk through the property, understand how everything works, and raise any questions or concerns before handover. Many buyers aren’t sure what to expect — or what they should be asking. This guide covers what you need to know so you can make the most of the visit. What is a demo day? A demo day is a walkthrough of your new hom