Let’s be honest, waiting for your developer’s “final inspection” is a proper patience test, and you’re often left wondering what got overlooked. Whether your keys are fresh in hand or move-in day is looming, here’s the inside scoop: you can do a few quick snag checks yourself and avoid some nasty surprises (like that mysterious stain that appears on your ceiling a week after you unpack).

These five practical snagging hacks will help you catch the obvious stuff, no gadget wizardry required. And if you want real peace of mind? The real magic comes when you bring in Snagit Ltd for a professional independent snagging survey.

1. Doors, Windows & Locks: The Unsung Heroes

Sure, a door’s just a door, until it won’t close when it’s raining or your new windows get stuck halfway. Here’s what to check:

• Open and close every window and door (yes, even cupboard doors). They should swing easy, no weird grinding, and definitely no sticking.
• Locks should work smoothly, no jiggling or pushing necessary. Try both the keys and the handles.
• Check for draughts by running your hand around the frame edges. If you feel a breeze, there’s a gap.
• Inspect glass for scratches or cracks and make sure seals around double glazing are intact.

Quick tip: If you spot sticky windows or rattly doors, jot it down! You’ve got leverage for fixes before you move in (or before your warranty runs out).

2. Floors, Ceilings, & Walls: Scan for Sneaky Flaws

Take a slow lap of every room, phone torch in hand. Look closely and you’ll spot:

• Cracks in plasterwork, especially near corners, ceilings, and around doors and windows. While hairline cracks are normal, bigger gaps or uneven surfaces point to rushed finishing.
• Uneven or squeaky floors, walk slowly and listen. Tiles, wood, carpet, any part that creaks or feels bouncy? Make a note.
• Paint splodges and missed spots, check behind radiators, inside wardrobes, and above cupboards.

Bonus check: Shine a light across walls and ceilings. This shows up lumps, bumps, and shoddy plastering that’s easy to miss in flat daylight.

3. Bathroom & Kitchen: Taps, Toilets & Tiles (Oh My)

Water damage is a sneaky (and expensive) enemy. Here’s your kitchen and bathroom checklist:

• Run every tap and shower, hot and cold. Watch for leaks under sinks, slow drainage, or brown water.
• Flush every toilet, check for leaks at the base (use toilet roll to spot drips). Make sure the flush actually works.
• Check under, behind, and around appliances for signs of damp, pooling water, or mould.
• Tiles and grout: press gently on wall and floor tiles. Loose tiles or hollow-sounding areas mean someone got a bit lazy.

Pro tip: A musty smell is an early sign of hidden leaks. Trust your nose!

4. Electrics & Switches: Light It Up

We’ve all seen those rooms where one socket just… doesn’t work. Don’t get caught out:

• Turn on every light switch and socket (bring a cheap plug-in lamp or phone charger to test).
• Test extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens , should switch on with lights or the pull cord.
• Check for loose sockets or switches, they should sit tight, no wobbles.

Safety first: If you spot any exposed cabling, dodgy-looking fuse boxes, or anything that smells “electrical,” don’t ignore it, flag it before things get awkward!

5. Outside Spaces: The Final Frontier

Developers sometimes treat gardens, driveways, and paths like an afterthought. Give them the same attention as indoors:

• Inspect patios, driveways, and garden paths for cracks, loose slabs, pooling water, or unevenness. Wet weather will soon show up bad drainage!
• Check outside lighting and sockets, yes, test those too.
• Fence panels and gates: Make sure they’re installed straight and secure, not wobbling in the wind.
• Look at boundary lines: sometimes fences end up in the wrong place entirely.

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Why Developers’ Inspections Aren’t Enough

Here’s the inside track: Developers do want a happy buyer, but their “final inspection” is designed to pass, not pick faults. The snagging check you get from the site manager is rarely independent and often skips over small but costly problems (who do you think pays for callbacks: hint: not them).

How Snagit Ltd Does It Better

At Snagit Ltd, this is literally all we do, every day. We know what’s normal, what’s not, and where shortcuts usually lurk. Our professional snagging surveys pick up the things developers “forget”: from leaking pipes hidden behind brand-new walls to windows with dodgy seals that’ll cost a fortune next winter. Plus, you get everything in plain English, fast.

Want Real Peace of Mind?

If you want to be sure your home is flawless, we’re here to help. Book your independent snagging survey with Snagit Ltd and relax knowing you’re covered.

• Visit: https://snagitltd.com
• Message us on Facebook
• Or give us a ring: no question is too small!

Because your new home should be perfect: and if it isn’t, you deserve to know about it first.

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Looking for more snagging tips and stories? Explore our blog for hands-on advice, case studies, and everything you need to know before, during, and after move-in. And remember: you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you inspect!