Snagging Survey Horstead with Stanninghall, Broadland

Our snagging survey in Horstead with Stanninghall provides a comprehensive inspection of your new build property, examining every accessible area to identify defects ranging from minor cosmetic issues to significant structural problems. Our qualified inspectors check the quality of workmanship throughout the property, including plasterwork, joinery, paint finishes, and tiling. We examine doors and windows for proper operation, sealants for completeness, and flooring for levelness and finish quality. Every switch, socket, and fixture gets tested to ensure it functions correctly and meets electrical safety standards.

The external elements of your property receive equal attention during our snagging inspection. Our surveyors assess the roof covering, tiles, and flashing for damage or gaps that could lead to water ingress. We inspect brickwork and rendering for cracks or deterioration, paying particular attention to mortar joints and expansion gaps. Gutters, downpitches, and drainage systems are checked for proper fall and connection, as poor drainage can lead to damp problems and foundation issues over time. Boundary treatments, drives, and paths are examined against the specification provided by the developer to ensure completion to the agreed standard.

Inside the property, we test all electrical fixtures and outlets, plumbing installations, and heating systems. Our inspectors operate all appliances, open and close windows and doors, and test taps, showers, and toilets. We document any items that do not function correctly or fall below the expected standard for a new build property. The report we provide includes photographic evidence of every defect, a clear description of the issue, and recommended remediation actions for the developer. We also check that any integral appliances supplied by the developer are present and functioning.

Our inspection covers the full electrical installation including consumer unit safety, socket outlet polarity, and earth bonding. We verify that all bathrooms and wet areas have adequate extraction ventilation to prevent mould and damp. We assess the thermal efficiency of the property by checking insulation installation in walls, floors, and roofs, as poorly installed insulation can significantly impact your energy bills and comfort.

• Internal plasterwork and decoration
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Electrical fixtures and safety
• Plumbing and sanitaryware
• Bathroom and kitchen fittings
• Flooring and tiling
• Roof structure and tiles
• External walls and render
• Gutters and drainage
• Boundary treatments and drives

Our inspectors frequently encounter similar defect patterns across new build developments in Norfolk and the wider East Anglia region. Poorly finished plasterwork remains one of the most common issues, with walls and ceilings showing uneven surfaces, hairline cracks, or inadequate preparation for decoration. This is particularly common in properties where drying times have been rushed, leading to shrinkage and movement as the building settles. Our inspectors assess the quality of sand and cement backgrounds, the application of bonding plasters, and the finish coat application.

Ill-fitting doors and windows are equally prevalent, with gaps around frames, difficulty opening and closing, and inadequate sealing allowing drafts and moisture ingress. In newer properties, we often find that UPVC windows have not been properly adjusted, with handles that don't engage correctly or locks that don't align. Timber doors frequently show signs of swelling or shrinkage due to inadequate sealing or improper storage before installation. Our inspectors test every window and door operation multiple times to identify intermittent issues.

Incomplete sealant applications represent another significant category of defects, particularly around windows, doors, and in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Missing or poorly applied sealant can lead to water penetration and subsequent damage to timber frames and plasterboard. We inspect all sealant lines critically, looking for gaps, voids, and areas where sealant has pulled away from adjacent surfaces. This is especially important in the wet climate of Norfolk, where driving rain can force water through even small defects.

External defects are equally common and often more serious. Our inspectors identify issues with roof tile alignment, missing or damaged tiles, and inadequate flashing around chimneys and roof junctions. Brickwork defects including mortar dropout, inconsistent pointing, and cracking are frequently documented. At ground level, we often find incomplete landscaping, uneven or cracked driveways, and boundary treatments that do not match the specification or approved plans. We also check that ground levels have been properly graded away from the property to prevent damp penetration.

Drainage issues are a particular concern in the East Anglia region where clay soils can be prevalent. Our inspectors check that gutters have correct fall towards downpipes, that weep holes are present and unblocked, and that surface water drains away from the property foundation. We test all gullies and drainage channels, and where possible, we check that the drainage system has been tested and is functioning correctly before the property was handed over.