Independent Snagging Surveys Across Northern Ireland
Buying a new-build home in Belfast or elsewhere in Northern Ireland?
A new property may look finished, but poor workmanship, incomplete work and defects can easily remain hidden beneath the fresh paint and new fittings. Learn more about our independent new-build snagging surveys.
NW Snag Surveys provides scheduled independent snagging inspections across Belfast and surrounding areas of Northern Ireland. Every inspection is personally completed by Andrew Kerrigan, RPSA Tech., bringing more than 30 years of practical construction and site-management experience to your new home.
You will receive a detailed, photographic report explaining what has been found, why it matters and what your developer should do to put it right.
Independent advice. No connections to developers. No sales pressure.
Request a Northern Ireland snagging survey
Why arrange an independent snagging survey?
Your developer will have its own inspection and handover processes, but those checks are carried out as part of the developer’s construction programme.
An independent snagging survey is different. I work entirely for you.
The inspection provides an impartial assessment of the visible condition, finish and workmanship of your new home. Defects are recorded clearly, supported by photographs and organised into a professional report that can be sent directly to your developer or site manager.
Finding problems early gives the developer an opportunity to correct them before they become more disruptive, costly or difficult to demonstrate.
Discover why homeowners choose NW Snag Surveys for independent property inspections.
What does the snagging survey include?
The inspection covers accessible internal and external areas of the property.
Depending on the property and access available, checks can include:
- Roof coverings, flashings, gutters and rainwater goods
- External brickwork, render, pointing and cladding
- Windows, external doors and seals
- Internal walls, ceilings and decorative finishes
- Floors, stairs, doors, skirting boards and joinery
- Kitchen units, worktops and fitted appliances
- Bathrooms, sanitary fittings and visible plumbing
- Heating controls, radiators and ventilation
- Electrical accessories and visible installations
- Loft insulation and accessible roof-space areas
- Drainage covers and visible external drainage
- Gardens, paths, driveways, fencing and boundaries
- Evidence of incomplete work or poor workmanship
- Visible defects affecting safety, function or durability
The inspection is visual and non-destructive. Services are not dismantled, and concealed construction cannot be inspected unless safe access has been provided.
A clear photographic report
Following the inspection, you will receive a structured digital report containing:
- Photographs of the defects identified
- A clear description of every snag
- The location of each item
- Severity or priority ratings where appropriate
- Practical corrective actions
- A summary of the most important findings
- A professional document suitable for your developer
Reports are normally issued within 24 hours, subject to the size and complexity of the property.
The aim is not to overwhelm you with technical language. It is to give you clear evidence and a practical document that helps get the work completed properly.
Get an exact price through WhatsApp
Personally inspected by Andrew Kerrigan, RPSA Tech.
Your property will not be passed to an unknown subcontractor.
Every Northern Ireland inspection is personally carried out by Andrew Kerrigan, RPSA Tech., who has more than 30 years’ experience in construction, civil engineering and site management.
Professional training and qualifications include:
- Construction Management
- OND Civil Engineering
- RPSA Tech. membership
- NHBC Snag Inspection training
- Building Pathology training
- Damp and Mould inspection training
- SMSTS
- Thermal-imaging capability
- Drone inspection capability
This practical background helps identify not only cosmetic imperfections but also defects involving installation, construction quality, moisture risk, safety and long-term performance.
View professional qualifications and credentials
You can also meet your surveyor and learn more about the practical experience behind every inspection.
Northern Ireland snagging survey prices
Clear guide prices are shown below:
- 1 or 2-bedroom apartment – £395
- 2-bedroom house – £425
- 3-bedroom house – £475
- 4-bedroom house – £525
- 5-bedroom or larger property – please request a quotation
Final prices depend on the size, location and complexity of the property. Your exact fee will always be confirmed before booking.
A £50 deposit secures the appointment, with the remaining balance payable on the day of the inspection.
Optional drone and thermal-imaging inspections
Some defects cannot be assessed properly from ground level or by eye alone.
Drone roof inspection – £90
Where conditions, permissions and location allow, a drone roof inspection can provide clear aerial images of:
- Roof coverings
- Ridge and verge details
- Flashings
- Chimneys
- Gutters
- Flat roofs
- Solar panels
- High-level external finishes
Drone operation is always subject to suitable weather, safe flying conditions and applicable restrictions.
Thermal imaging – £70
Thermal imaging can help identify temperature differences associated with:
- Missing or uneven insulation
- Cold bridging
- Air leakage
- Heat loss
- Possible moisture-related anomalies
Thermal results are affected by weather, internal temperature and heating conditions, so I will advise whether the inspection is likely to provide useful evidence.
Pre-plaster inspections in Northern Ireland
The best time to discover hidden construction problems is before walls and ceilings are closed.
A pre-plaster inspection examines accessible elements of the build before plasterboard and finishes conceal them. This can help identify issues involving insulation, blockwork, timberwork, service penetrations, fire stopping and general workmanship.
Other independent property surveys in Northern Ireland
Alongside new-build snagging and pre-plaster inspections, selected Northern Ireland appointments are also available for Level 2 Home Surveys and independent damp and mould investigations.
Level 2 Home Surveys
Buying a conventional house or apartment rather than a new-build property?
A Level 2 Home Survey provides a structured assessment of the property’s accessible condition before you commit to the purchase. The report uses clear condition ratings to identify significant defects, safety concerns, maintenance issues and areas requiring further investigation.
Where damp or moisture concerns are discovered during the inspection, an enhanced damp assessment may be completed during the same visit, subject to the property and prior agreement.
[View our Level 2 Home Survey service]
Independent damp and mould surveys
Independent damp and mould inspections are available for homebuyers, homeowners and landlords during scheduled Northern Ireland visits.
The inspection considers the likely causes of moisture problems rather than simply recommending damp-proofing treatments. Depending on the circumstances, this may include visual inspection, moisture readings, humidity assessment, thermal imaging and examination of relevant external defects.
Common concerns include condensation, penetrating damp, plumbing leaks, defective gutters, poor ventilation, cold bridging and insulation problems.
NW Snag Surveys does not sell damp-proofing treatments, so the findings and recommendations remain completely independent.
[View our independent damp and mould survey service]
If you are unsure which inspection you need, send the property details and a brief description of your concerns. I will explain the most appropriate survey before you book.
Ask Andy about a Northern Ireland property survey
Pre-plaster inspections in Northern Ireland are available from £325, depending on the property and location. Read more about what is checked during a pre-plaster inspection.
Ask about a pre-plaster inspection
Areas covered in Northern Ireland
Scheduled inspection visits are available across Belfast and surrounding areas, including:
- Belfast
- Lisburn
- Bangor
- Holywood
- Newtownabbey
- Carrickfergus
- Newtownards
- Carryduff
- Comber
- Hillsborough
- Dundonald
- County Antrim
- County Down
- Newry
Properties outside these areas may also be covered when appointments can be grouped efficiently. Send the postcode and expected completion date for availability.
Scheduled Northern Ireland inspection visits
NW Snag Surveys is based in the North West of England and provides scheduled inspection visits to Northern Ireland.
Appointments are grouped geographically so that customers receive a personal inspection from Andrew rather than being allocated to an unfamiliar subcontractor.
Northern Ireland availability is limited. If your completion or handover date is approaching, contact me as early as possible. Provisional dates can be discussed even if your developer has not yet confirmed the exact handover date.
When should you book your snagging inspection?
Ideally, arrange the inspection:
- Before legal completion, if your developer permits access
- Between completion and moving into the property
- Shortly after moving in
- Before the developer’s initial defect-reporting deadline
- Before the end of the applicable warranty period
If the completion date changes, contact me as soon as possible and I will try to accommodate the revised programme.
What happens after the survey?
The process is straightforward:
- Send the property postcode, number of bedrooms and expected completion date.
- Receive confirmation of the price and available inspection dates.
- Pay the £50 deposit to secure the booking.
- I complete the internal and external inspection.
- You receive the detailed photographic report.
- Send the report to the developer or site manager.
- Arrange a reinspection if you would like completed remedial work checked.
Reinspections are available from £275, depending on location and the number of defects requiring review.
WhatsApp Andy for a Northern Ireland quotation
Frequently asked questions
Are you independent from the developer?
Yes. NW Snag Surveys has no connection with your developer, builder, estate agent or warranty provider. The inspection and report are completed solely for you.
Do you cover apartments?
Yes. Apartment inspections cover the accessible interior and any external elements belonging specifically to the property. Communal areas can only be included when agreed in advance and where suitable access has been arranged.
Can the report be sent directly to my developer?
The report is supplied to you as the client. You can then forward it directly to your developer, builder or site manager.
Will you identify every possible defect?
The inspection is thorough, but it is visual and non-destructive. No inspection can guarantee that every defect will be found, particularly where parts of the construction are concealed, inaccessible or not operating at the time.
Do I need to attend?
You are welcome to attend, but it is not essential. Access can often be arranged through the developer or site team, subject to their procedures.
Can you inspect before completion?
Yes, if the developer permits access. Some developers allow an independent pre-completion inspection, while others only allow access after legal completion. Check with your developer before booking.
How quickly will I receive the report?
Reports are normally issued digitally within 24 hours of the inspection, subject to property size and complexity.
Can you inspect damp or moisture concerns?
Moisture readings and thermal imaging may be used where appropriate, but a full damp investigation is a separate service. If a significant concern is identified, the available options will be explained clearly.
You can also visit the NW Snag Surveys homepage to view our wider range of independent property-inspection services.
Book your Northern Ireland snagging survey
Protect your investment with an experienced, independent inspection before outstanding work is forgotten or covered over.
For an exact quotation, send:
- The property postcode
- Property type
- Number of bedrooms
- Developer’s name
- Expected completion or handover date
- Whether you require drone or thermal imaging
Andrew Kerrigan, RPSA Tech.
NW Snag Surveys