New Build Snagging Survey Basildon

Our snagging surveys follow a systematic approach, examining every accessible area of your new property with meticulous attention to detail. We check internal finishes including plasterwork quality, paintwork, flooring, and the fitting of doors and windows throughout the property. Kitchens and bathrooms receive particular attention, with our inspectors testing all appliances, checking sealant around baths and showers, verifying that cabinetry is properly aligned, and ensuring worktops are securely fitted. Many new homes in Basildon feature open-plan dining and kitchen areas with French doors leading to rear gardens, and we ensure these popular features are installed correctly without gaps, drafts, or operational issues that could lead to problems later.

Externally, we inspect the roof covering, checking tile alignment, flashing, and verge details for completeness and proper installation. Our inspectors examine brickwork for cracking or differential settlement, assess window and door frames for proper fitting and sealing, and evaluate the quality of render and cladding where applicable. Given Basildon's heavy clay soil conditions, which create potential shrink-swell movement, we pay particular attention to any signs of subsidence or structural movement that might indicate foundation issues. We also examine drainage systems carefully, checking that fall is correctly applied away from the property and that all gullies, channels, and drainage runs are clear and functional.

At ground floor level, we assess the quality of concreted or paved areas, checking that drives and patios are properly finished and graded. We verify that damp proof courses are visible and continuous at the correct height, and confirm that threshold details at door openings are correctly detailed to prevent water ingress. For properties with garages, we inspect the structural integrity, test the remote control operation of doors, and assess the integration with the main dwelling. Our inspectors also examine the condition of gardens and landscaping, checking that turf has been laid, boundaries are properly installed, and retaining walls show no signs of movement. Our reports typically identify between 120 and 180 individual defects across a typical new-build home, ranging from minor cosmetic issues to more serious structural concerns that require immediate attention from the builder.

• Internal plasterwork and decoration
• Window and door operation and sealing
• Kitchen appliance testing
• Bathroom seals and tiling
• Roof and tile inspection
• Drainage and guttering systems

Based on our experience inspecting properties across Basildon and South Essex, certain defects appear regularly in new-build homes that buyers should be aware of. Poorly finished plasterwork ranks among the most common issues, with walls and ceilings exhibiting irregularities, cracks, or areas that require re-decoration before you can comfortably hang pictures or furniture. Ill-fitting doors are another frequent finding, with gaps around frames, doors that don't close properly, or handles and latches that require adjustment. Incomplete sealant around windows, between kitchen units and walls, and around bathroom fittings creates potential water ingress risks that builders should address before completion but often miss.

Drainage issues affect numerous new properties in the Basildon area given the heavy clay soil conditions that are prevalent across the borough. We frequently find gullies with incorrect falls that don't allow water to flow properly, air admittance valves that haven't been properly connected, and drainage runs that lack proper gradients. These issues can lead to standing water, unpleasant odors, and potential damp problems if left unresolved, particularly during the wet winter months that Basildon experiences. External defects include misaligned roof tiles, incomplete verge details, cracked or missing bricks in new brickwork, and driveways or patios that weren't finished to the specification shown on the original plans.

Landscaping to rear gardens is often incomplete at the time of completion, with turf not properly laid, boundaries not fully installed, or retaining walls showing early signs of movement that may worsen over time. Structural items, while less common, do appear in our surveys and can be particularly serious given the clay soil conditions in Basildon. These can include cracking that suggests movement, lintels that appear undersized, damp proof courses that are discontinuous, and cavity tray issues that could lead to water penetration. We are particularly alert to any signs of foundation movement or subsidence that might manifest as diagonal cracking around door and window openings, uneven floors throughout the property, or gaps appearing between walls and ceilings.