Independent new-build inspections by RICS-registered surveyors. Get your comprehensive defect report before you complete.
Buying a new-build property in Sandhurst is an exciting step, but even brand-new homes can have defects that need addressing before you move in. Our snagging surveys give you a detailed inspection of your property, identifying cosmetic issues like paint splatters and scratched fixtures, as well as more serious structural and functional problems such as poorly fitted windows, inadequate drainage, and electrical installation errors.
In Sandhurst GU47, where recent developments like Oakingham Court on Heath Hill Road North are bringing new apartments to the area, a professional snagging inspection is essential. Our inspectors know the common defect patterns in modern builds across Berkshire and Surrey, and they check everything from damp-proof courses to window seals, ensuring your new home meets the standards you deserve.
The GU47 area, named for its distinctive sandy soils, presents specific considerations for new-build properties. While the underlying geology generally offers low shrink-swell risk compared to clay-heavy regions, our inspectors pay particular attention to site drainage and foundation compaction during construction. Poorly compacted fill or inadequate grading can lead to issues that manifest months or years after you move in, making our thorough inspection particularly valuable for Sandhurst buyers.
£475,000
Average House Price
+0.6% to +2.6%
Annual Price Change
205 properties
Recent Sales (12 months)
£623,000
Detached Average
£467,000
Semi-Detached Average
£365,000
Terraced Average
Our snagging inspections are thorough assessments designed to catch defects that builders should fix before completion but often overlook. We examine the entire property inside and out, documenting every issue we find with photographic evidence. Our inspectors typically identify between 100 and 200 individual snags in a typical new-build home, ranging from minor cosmetic imperfections to significant structural concerns that could cost thousands to rectify later.
The inspection covers all key areas including the structural integrity of walls, floors, and ceilings, the proper installation of windows and doors, plumbing and electrical systems, damp-proofing measures, and external elements such as roofs, gutters, and landscaping. In Sandhurst, where the local geology features sandy soils with generally low shrink-swell risk, our inspectors also pay attention to site grading and drainage around foundations, as improper grading can lead to water pooling even in otherwise favorable ground conditions.
We also check that the property meets relevant building regulations and assess the quality of workmanship against current industry standards. Our detailed report prioritizes defects by severity, giving you a clear document to present to your developer or builder for remediation before you legally complete on the purchase. For properties in the Sandhurst area, we specifically note any issues related to the New Homes Quality Code and ensure your documentation supports any warranty claims you may need to make.
Our inspectors use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters as standard equipment, allowing us to identify hidden issues like cold spots indicating air leakage, or elevated moisture levels suggesting damp ingress. These tools are particularly valuable in new-build properties where defects may not be visible to the naked eye but can lead to problems over time. In Sandhurst's climate, with its mix of wet winters and occasional summer storms, ensuring proper drainage and weatherproofing is especially important.
Source: Rightmove, Zoopla 2024
Choose your property type and preferred date. We'll confirm your appointment within 24 hours and send you a confirmation with everything you need to know. For properties at developments like Oakingham Court, we coordinate with site agents to ensure access arrangements are in place.
Our RICS-registered inspector visits your Sandhurst property for 2-4 hours depending on size. We systematically check every room, the exterior, roof space, and boundaries, photographing every defect we find. The inspection follows our comprehensive checklist covering over 400 individual inspection points.
Within 48 hours of the inspection, you receive a comprehensive snagging report listing all defects found, categorized by severity with photographic evidence and recommended remediation. Our reports are formatted to meet NHBC and Premier Guarantee warranty claim requirements.
Use your report to negotiate with the developer. Our detailed documentation strengthens your position when requesting fixes before completion or compensation for outstanding issues. We can provide additional support including developer correspondence templates and, if needed, expert witness statements for dispute resolution.
Many properties marketed as Sandhurst new-builds are actually located in neighbouring postcodes like RG12, RG40, or GU15. Always verify the exact postcode of your development. Our inspectors cover all surrounding areas including Bracknell, Camberley, and the wider Berkshire/Surrey border region.
In our experience across Sandhurst and the surrounding Berkshire area, certain defects appear far more frequently than others in new-build properties. Poorly finished plasterwork with uneven surfaces and visible tape joints is extremely common, as are ill-fitting doors that stick or drag on carpets. Incomplete sealant around windows, bathrooms, and kitchens leads to water ingress over time, while scratched or marked glazing on windows often goes unnoticed until you move in.
More serious issues we encounter include drainage problems where ground levels slope toward the property rather than away, causing water to pool near foundations. While Sandhurst's sandy soils generally drain well, we occasionally find that builders have not properly compacted fill or established adequate falls away from the building. This is particularly important given that some low-lying sites in the GU47 area can experience surface water flooding during extreme weather events.
We also find inadequate ventilation in roof spaces, incorrect pipe slopes in plumbing that lead to poor drainage, and electrical installations that don't meet regulations. These defects aren't just cosmetic; they can affect your health, safety, and the long-term structural integrity of your home. In modern apartment blocks like those at Oakingham Court, we pay particular attention to fire safety elements including compartmentation, fire door seals, and escape route access.
The good news is that builders are legally required to rectify snagging issues covered under your NHBC or Premier Guarantee warranty. Our detailed report gives you the evidence you need to ensure nothing gets overlooked. We also check whether your developer is signed up to the New Homes Quality Code, which provides additional consumer protections and sets standards for how defects should be handled.
Sandhurst has seen limited large-scale new-build activity in recent years, with most development consisting of smaller infill projects and conversions like the apartments at Oakingham Court. However, even on this scale, defects occur. The sandy soil conditions in the GU47 area are generally favorable for foundations, but poor site drainage during construction can still cause issues that manifest years later as subsidence or damp problems.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst brings a steady stream of military personnel and their families to the area, many of whom purchase new-build properties with the expectation of moving on within a few years. This makes getting a snagging survey even more important, as unresolved defects can significantly impact resale value. A clean snagging report is a valuable document when you come to sell your property, particularly in a market where buyers are often relocating from elsewhere and may be less forgiving of hidden issues.
Developers building in the Sandhurst area typically work with NHBC or Premier Guarantee warranties, both of which require proper documentation of defects discovered post-completion. Our inspectors understand these warranty schemes and ensure your report meets their requirements for making a claim. We also check whether your developer is signed up to the New Homes Quality Code, which provides additional consumer protections including access to a resolution service if disputes arise.
Given that Sandhurst functions as a commuter town for Bracknell, Camberley, and London, many buyers are purchasing new-build properties with the intention of living there for a limited period. This makes it even more crucial to document any defects thoroughly before completion, as you won't have the time to deal with emerging issues that become apparent only after several years of occupation. Our comprehensive snagging report protects your investment and ensures the developer addresses problems while they remain within their warranty obligations.
A snagging survey is a detailed inspection of a new-build property that identifies defects, unfinished work, and quality issues. Our inspectors check everything from cosmetic items like paint finishes and scratched doors to structural elements including walls, floors, damp-proofing, and drainage. We examine windows, doors, plumbing, electrical installations, and the exterior including roofs, gutters, and boundaries. In Sandhurst properties, we also specifically assess site drainage given the local soil conditions and check that any balcony or amenity space constructions meet current building regulations.
Prices in the Sandhurst GU47 area start from around £250 for a 1-2 bedroom flat, with 3-bedroom houses typically costing between £370 and £440, and larger 4+ bedroom properties from £450 to over £600. The exact price depends on property size, number of bedrooms, and whether you opt for additional testing like thermal imaging or drone surveys. For properties at developments like Oakingham Court, we offer competitive group booking rates if multiple buyers in the same development wish to commission surveys together.
Ideally, book your snagging survey as soon as possible after you receive the keys or before you legally complete on the purchase. Many buyers arrange the survey for the day before their planned completion, giving them time to renegotiate if significant defects are found. If you're buying off-plan, we can inspect shortly after construction finishes but before you move in. For new-build apartments in Sandhurst, we recommend scheduling the survey before the developer's handover appointment so you have time to request corrections.
Under the NHBC Buildmark warranty or Premier Guarantee, developers are obligated to rectify defects that fall within their warranty period, typically 2 years for general items and 10 years for structural issues. Our detailed report with photographic evidence strengthens your position significantly. Most developers are responsive to well-documented snagging lists, particularly if you're represented by a professional. If disputes arise, the New Homes Quality Code provides an independent complaints resolution service, and our reports are formatted to support this process.
Yes, a warranty does not guarantee that defects won't exist or that the builder will promptly address issues. Warranties require you to identify and report problems within specific timeframes, and having a professional snagging report is the best way to do this. The warranty protects you financially if the developer refuses to act, but you still need to document the defects properly. Our reports include all the evidence required to make successful warranty claims, including detailed photographs, defect locations, and recommended remediation approaches.
A Level 2 RICS survey (formerly known as a HomeBuyer Report) assesses the overall condition and value of a property, focusing on significant issues that affect value and safety. A snagging survey is specifically designed for new-build properties and is far more detailed, focusing on defects, workmanship quality, and items that don't meet the standards expected in a brand-new home. For new-builds, we recommend both: the Level 2 for mortgage purposes and the snagging survey for your own protection. The Level 2 satisfies your lender's requirements while the snagging survey ensures every defect is documented for developer negotiation.
If our inspection reveals significant structural concerns, we categorise these as priority items in your report and recommend immediate referral to a structural engineer for further assessment. While major structural defects are rare in new-build properties, we do occasionally find issues such as inadequate foundation depth, significant cracking indicating movement, or structural elements that do not match the approved building regulations plans. In such cases, we advise halting completion until the issues are resolved, and we can provide technical support during negotiations with the developer.
A typical snagging survey for a 3-bedroom house takes between 2 and 3 hours, while larger properties or those with complex layouts may require 4 hours or more. Flats generally take 1-2 hours depending on size and whether it includes a balcony or external amenity space. We allow sufficient time to check every room, all windows and doors, the exterior walls, roof space (where accessible), and boundary elements. You'll receive your comprehensive report within 48 hours of the inspection.
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Independent new-build inspections by RICS-registered surveyors. Get your comprehensive defect report before you complete.
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Homemove is a trading name of HM Haus Group Ltd (Company No. 13873779, registered in England & Wales). Homemove Mortgages Ltd (Company No. 15947693) is an Appointed Representative of TMG Direct Limited, trading as TMG Mortgage Network, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 786245). Homemove Mortgages Ltd is entered on the FCA Register as an Appointed Representative (FRN 1022429). You can check registrations at NewRegister or by calling 0800 111 6768.
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