New-Build Kitchen and Bathroom Snags: What to Check Before Handover
Kitchens and bathrooms bring together fitted units, plumbing, tiles, sealant and ventilation. They may look finished at first glance, but small defects can be easy to miss during a quick handover visit.
Here are some visible checks you can make safely. For a more systematic inspection, find out about our independent new-build snagging surveys.
Kitchen units and worktops
Open and close the cupboards and drawers. Note any that catch, do not sit properly, or appear loose. Look for damaged doors, handles, shelves, plinths or end panels, and check that worktop edges and visible joints appear complete.
Sealant and tiled finishes
Look at the visible sealant around sinks, worktops, baths and shower trays. Record any obvious gaps, breaks or untidy areas. Check tiles and grout for visible chips, cracks or missing sections. Avoid disturbing sealant or grout yourself; photograph anything you want the developer to review.
Taps, sinks and visible plumbing
Use the taps and other fittings normally, then look for visible drips or signs of leakage around accessible connections. Check whether water drains away during normal use. Don’t remove panels or dismantle fittings to inspect concealed pipework.
Bathroom fittings and shower screens
Check that doors, screens and accessible fittings open, close and operate as expected. Look for visible damage or movement, and note any water escaping beyond the intended shower or bath area during normal use.
Extractor fans and ventilation
Use the normal control to check that the extractor responds. Some fans continue running after the light is switched off. Make a note if it does not appear to operate, or if ventilation openings have been covered. A visual check cannot measure airflow, so ask the developer to investigate any continuing concern.
Keep a clear record
Take a wider photo to show where an issue is and a closer one to show the detail. Note the room and the date, then report the concern to your developer through their usual process.
If you are also seeing persistent moisture or mould, learn about our damp and mould survey service. To understand what happens during an inspection, you can also meet your surveyor.
An independent snagging survey checks accessible areas of the property and provides a written, photographic record of the findings. The inspection is visual and non-destructive; its scope depends on the property’s stage of completion and safe access.