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As a building settles on its foundations, there can be significant knock-on effects on its structure and finish. Problems can range from major shifts of the building's structure, to a cupboard sticking or drains not working. Identifying faults and getting them rectified before you complete a property purchase is called snagging'.
Snags with tiling including broken tiles, poor grouting especially behind sinks baths and in areas not easily visible, excess grout and cement on floor, and roof tiles. Tiles not matching in colour, poor levels on floors and patios including levels that will not allow water to flow into drains.
Snags where property and communal areas not completed including communal areas and internal fixtures and fittings, toilets and basins not fitted, no services connected, water & electricity, wardrobe doors missing. Dangerous sites where open drains and exposed street wiring can be seen and where heavy plant and machinery is in use.
Snags caused by damp water to internal and external walls, often resulting from poor ventilation or poorly insulated walls and patios.
Snags related to the painted and decorative finish inside & outside the properties including patchy and damaged walls, internal walls, external walls cracked and damaged
Snags where plumbing & electrical fixings, including sockets, light switches are not functioning or in wrong positions, insufficient sockets or fuses to meet supply. Plumbing problems included loose basins and toilets or leaks.
Snags with doors and windows, internal doors not closing or damaged, windows not locking, poorly fitted or scratched security grills and loose frames on patio doors excessive gaps between doors and wall
Snags related to damaged fixtures damaged badly fitted kitchen units, scratched white goods or where supplied furniture packs
Snags relating to cleaning the properly by the builder resulting in debris in drains, cupboards and behind kitchen units
Snags where the property has not been built to the agreed specification and internal changes have been made including room sizes and plot sizes that do not match the agreed plans. Where a 3 bedroom property has bee built as a bed roomed version or where pre-installation has not been provided for air-conditioning.
Specialist 'snagging' inspectors charge from around 250 to uncover such problems for you; and with typical inspections finding as many as a hundred snags, which might have taken you months to notice, it may be well worth the cost.
But be aware that some problems may not be covered by the warranty, so read the small print carefully and don't forego your own buildings insurance. Small cracks and faults that appear as the building settles in and dries probably won't be covered - and the likely appearance of such defects in the early life of a new house are an excellent reason not to decorate for at least a year.
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