Before You Get the Keys: 7 New-Build Snags to Check Before Handover

Buying a new-build home? A careful check before handover can help you spot unfinished work and defects while they’re easier to raise with the developer.

Moving into a new home is exciting, but “brand new” doesn’t always mean every detail is finished properly. Paint and sealant are easy to notice; other issues can be less obvious. Here are seven areas worth paying attention to when your new home is ready.

7 things to look out for

1. Doors and windows

Check that doors open, close and latch smoothly. Look for scratched glass, damaged frames, draughts and seals that appear loose or incomplete.

2. Walls, ceilings and paintwork

Look across walls and ceilings in good light for uneven finishes, cracks, missed areas, visible repairs and paintwork that needs attention. Small marks are common, but unfinished or poor-quality work should be recorded clearly.

3. Tiling, sealant and bathroom fittings

Check tile edges and grout, and look at the sealant around baths, showers, sinks and worktops. Make sure doors and screens move freely and don’t clash with nearby fittings.

4. Kitchen units and worktops

Open drawers and cupboard doors to check their alignment and operation. Look for chipped edges, gaps, loose handles and untidy finishes around appliances and splashbacks.

5. Heating, plumbing and ventilation

Check that taps and visible fittings operate as expected, and look for leaks or damage around pipework. Ask the developer for the relevant handover documents, including certificates that apply to the installed systems.

6. Outside walls, roofline and drainage

From safe, accessible viewpoints, look for damaged brickwork, unfinished pointing, loose-looking roofline details, blocked gutters and paving or ground levels that may direct water towards the property. Roof areas may need specialist or drone inspection where access is limited.

7. Loft and insulation

If the loft is accessible, check for visible gaps or displaced insulation and ask whether the ventilation and duct connections have been completed. Don’t move insulation or enter an unsafe space just to investigate.

Make a clear record

Take dated photographs, note where each issue is and send a clear list to the developer. Keep copies of your messages and any replies. If you’re unsure whether something is a minor finishing issue or needs closer attention, an independent inspection can help document what was visible on the day.

NW Snag Surveys provides independent new-build snagging inspections across the Wirral, Liverpool, Chester and North Wales. You’ll receive a photographic report with findings and practical actions to raise with your developer.

Book an independent snagging survey

Ask about availability and the right inspection timing for your property.