How to Snag a New Villa or Unit: A Trade-by-Trade Checklist

Snagging is the inspection that happens before you accept a property or sign off on completed work. Anything recorded now is the contractor's or developer's responsibility to fix. Anything found after you move in is much harder to prove.

Before you start

Inspect in good daylight, with a torch, a tape measure, a spirit level, a phone for photographs and a notepad. Take photographs of each defect with a note of the room and location.

Walls, ceilings and paint

•     Look along walls and ceilings in side light for waves, patches and uneven plaster.

•     Check for cracks, especially at corners and where different materials meet.

•     Look for missed spots, runs, roller marks and paint on fittings or floors.

Floors and tiles

•     Tap tiles gently to find hollow ones.

•     Check for chips, uneven joints and lippage between tiles.

•     Confirm falls toward floor drains in bathrooms and balconies.

Doors, windows and joinery

•     Open and close every door and window. Check alignment, latches and locks.

•     Look inside wardrobes and cabinets for finish quality, hinges and drawer action.

Plumbing

•     Run every tap and shower, and flush every toilet.

•     Check water pressure, hot water delivery and drainage speed.

•     Look under sinks for leaks and check seals around baths and showers.

Electrical

•     Test every socket and switch, and confirm the lights work.

•     Check that the distribution board is labelled clearly.

•     Operate any trip switches and look for signs of heat or discoloration around fittings.

Air conditioning

•     Run each unit and confirm cooling, airflow and thermostat response.

•     Check for unusual noise or vibration and for drips from indoor units.

Roof, balconies and external areas

•     Check for ponding water, cracked finishes and blocked drains.

•     Look at external paving and kerbs for settlement or loose blocks.

After the inspection

Give the full written snag list to the contractor or developer, agree a deadline for repairs and re-inspect before final acceptance. For larger properties and commercial fit-outs, it helps to have a trade contractor carry out the inspection with you, because they know where defects tend to hide.

Taking over a new property or finishing a renovation? Book a snagging inspection. Our renovation services team can also close out the defects for you.