Expert defect inspections for new homes in Lichfield and Staffordshire
Buying a newly built home in Lichfield is an exciting prospect, but even brand-new properties can have hidden defects that aren't immediately visible. Our qualified inspectors carry out detailed snagging surveys across Lichfield and the surrounding Staffordshire area, identifying issues before you move in so you can request corrections from the builder. With the average Lichfield property now exceeding £360,000 according to recent market data, a snagging survey is a small investment that protects your significant purchase.
Lichfield's new housing market has grown substantially in recent years, with developments springing up across areas like Curborough, Streethay, and Fradley. Whether you've purchased a property from Charles Church at Lockside, Persimmon at St John's Grange, or any of the other major builders active in the area, our local inspectors understand the common defect patterns found in these newer properties. We check everything from plasterwork finishes to structural elements, giving you leverage when negotiating repairs with your developer.
The Lichfield property market has seen steady growth, with house prices in the WS13 area rising by around 15.6% in recent years according to market data. With detached properties averaging over £530,000 and even terraced homes reaching £300,000+, the financial stakes are significant. Our comprehensive snagging inspections provide you with documented evidence of any defects, strengthening your position when requesting remedial works from your builder. Don't let hidden defects diminish the value of your substantial investment - let our experienced team protect your new home purchase.
£363,560
Average House Price
9 active sites
New Build Developments
£536,938
Detached Properties Average
£325,569
Semi-Detached Properties Average
£312,455
Terraced Properties Average
£190,748
Flat Properties Average
Our comprehensive snagging surveys examine over 300 individual points throughout your new build property. We start with the structural elements, checking walls, floors, and ceilings for signs of movement or poor workmanship. In Lichfield properties, where clay soils (Mercia Mudstone) are prevalent, we pay particular attention to foundation-related issues that can cause cracking or subsidence. The geology in parts of Lichfield, particularly towards Elmhurst and Curborough, presents shrink-swell risks that can affect even newly constructed homes if the build hasn't accounted for ground conditions properly.
Our inspectors examine all windows and doors for proper fitting, operation, and weatherproofing. Poorly fitted joinery is one of the most common issues we find in new builds across Lichfield, leading to drafts, condensation problems, and difficulty with temperature control. We check all mechanical systems including heating, plumbing, and electrical installations, ensuring they meet current regulations and function correctly. Our detailed report photographs every defect and provides clear recommendations for remedial action.
Lichfield's geology deserves special attention during any new build inspection. The city sits on red sandstone bedrock, with Mercia Mudstone underlying the northern and north-eastern edges towards Elmhurst and Curborough. This clay-rich deposit creates shrink-swell potential where soil volume changes with moisture levels, potentially affecting foundations even in recently constructed homes. Our inspectors specifically look for signs of differential settlement, cracking near windows and doors, and any evidence that movement may be occurring. Properties near established trees or in areas with poor drainage require extra scrutiny.
We also examine the external envelope of your property thoroughly. This includes checking roof tiles, Verges, ridges, and rainwater goods for proper installation and condition. With the varying soil conditions across the Lichfield area, proper drainage is essential to prevent water accumulation that could lead to foundation problems. Our team checks that all falls are adequate, gutters are properly connected, and downspouts direct water away from the building envelope. Every item is documented with photographs in your final report.
Source: homedata.co.uk, home.co.uk 2024
Choose a convenient date and time for your Lichfield snagging inspection. We'll confirm your appointment within 24 hours and send you pre-survey information explaining what to expect and how to prepare. Our online booking system makes scheduling simple, or you can call our team directly to arrange a time that suits your moving timeline.
Our inspector visits your new build property and conducts a thorough room-by-room assessment, checking interior and exterior elements against building regulations and NHBC standards. We systematically work through every room, documenting defects with photographs and noting their severity. The inspection typically takes 2-4 hours depending on property size, and you can accompany our inspector if you wish to see issues firsthand.
Within 48 hours of the inspection, you receive our detailed snagging report with photographs, defect severity ratings, and recommendations for each issue found. The report is clear, professionally presented, and designed to be easily shared with your developer or their customer care team. We organise defects by category and priority, helping you understand which issues need immediate attention.
Use your comprehensive report to request remedial works from your builder. Our clear documentation strengthens your position when negotiating repairs or compensation. Most major housebuilders take our reports seriously and will arrange to address defects, particularly for properties still within their two-year builder warranty period or covered by NHBC structural warranty.
If your new build is located in an area with clay soils, such as towards Curborough or Elmhurst, mention this to your inspector. Properties built on Mercia Mudstone can be susceptible to shrink-swell movement, and our survey will check for any signs of movement or cracking that may indicate foundation issues. We've seen properties on the outer edges of Lichfield where drainage hasn't been properly accounted for, leading to water pooling near foundations - something that should be identified during your snagging inspection.
The Lichfield area has seen significant new housing development in recent years, with major volume housebuilders including Persimmon Homes, Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes, Redrow, Miller Homes, and Bellway all active in the region. While these developers build hundreds of quality homes each year, industry data shows that more than 90% of new-home buyers discover snags in their properties, ranging from minor cosmetic issues to more serious structural concerns. Our inspectors have experience with properties across all the main new-build sites in and around Lichfield, from the Taylor Wimpey developments near Birmingham Road to the Sanctuary New Homes bungalows at The Maples.
Each developer has their own typical defect patterns based on their construction methods and specification levels. Persimmon properties, for example, commonly require attention to door fitting and flooring finishes, while Barratt and David Wilson homes may need checks on window sealant and kitchen unit alignment. Redrow properties often feature higher specifications but still benefit from thorough inspections of their bathroom installations. Understanding these builder-specific patterns allows our inspectors to focus their attention where it's most needed, ensuring nothing is missed.
We cover all major developments across the Lichfield area, including Charles Church at Lockside on Cricket Lane, Persimmon at St John's Grange on London Road and Cromwell Wharf, Redrow at Curborough Lakes on Watery Lane, Barratt and David Wilson at Curborough Fields, Miller Homes at The Choristers in Streethay, Taylor Wimpey at The Spires, Sanctuary at The Maples, and Bellway at Sheasby Park in Fradley. Whatever development your new home is on, our inspectors have the local knowledge to provide an informed assessment.
The local economy is forecast to grow strongly between 2024 and 2026, with Lichfield one of the fastest-growing economies in the UK. This economic growth, combined with good transport links to the West Midlands Conurbation, makes new build properties highly sought after. However, with high property values comes the need to protect your investment through a professional snagging survey. Our detailed report ensures you can move into your new Lichfield home with confidence, knowing exactly what defects need addressing.
Based on our experience surveying new builds across Lichfield and Staffordshire, several defect patterns emerge regularly. Poorly finished plasterwork ranks among the most common issues, with walls and ceilings often showing inconsistencies, cracks, or areas that require redecoration. Ill-fitting doors are another frequent finding, with new build doors frequently sticking, not closing properly, or showing visible gaps around the frames. Incomplete sealant work around windows, bathrooms, and kitchens leads to water ingress and draughts that homeowners discover only after moving in.
Drainage issues represent a more serious category of defects we commonly identify. With Lichfield's geology including areas of Mercia Mudstone and varying soil conditions, proper drainage is essential. We regularly find insufficient falls on external paving, poorly connected gutter systems, and drainage runs that don't meet required specifications. These issues can lead to waterlogging, foundation problems, and dampness if not addressed. Our inspectors also check for structural items including lintels, cavity trays, and roof tile alignment, ensuring your property is structurally sound before you complete your purchase.
The prevalence of clay soils across many parts of Lichfield means foundation and movement-related defects deserve particular attention. We frequently identify hairline cracking near window heads and door frames that may indicate minor movement, while more significant cracking can signal inadequate foundation design or drainage problems. Properties with large trees nearby, such as those in semi-rural areas towards Fradley or Curborough, may have tree root influence on soil moisture levels. Our inspectors assess the relationship between vegetation, soil conditions, and any visible movement to determine whether further investigation is needed.
Other commonly identified defects include poorly positioned or insufficient electrical sockets, particularly in kitchens where modern living requires multiple appliances. HVAC system issues such as incomplete commissioning of heat pumps or boiler installations, inadequate ventilation, and thermostat programming problems also appear regularly. External defects such as missing mortar pointing, damaged brickwork, and incomplete landscaping to boundary walls are frequently noted. Our comprehensive approach ensures nothing is overlooked, giving you a complete picture of your new build's condition.
A snagging survey is a detailed inspection of your new build property that checks for defects, unfinished work, and items that don't meet building regulations or NHBC standards. Our inspectors examine structural elements, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical systems, and external areas including drainage and boundary walls. We also pay particular attention to Lichfield-specific concerns such as foundations on clay soils and proper drainage away from the building. We photograph every defect and provide a comprehensive report with recommendations for remedial action that you can share with your developer.
Snagging survey pricing in Lichfield starts from approximately £295 for a small apartment, rising to around £395 for a standard three-bedroom house and £495+ for larger detached properties. The exact cost depends on the size and type of your new build, with prices for larger four and five-bedroom homes reaching £595 or more. All our prices are transparent with no hidden fees, and we provide detailed reports that give you real value when negotiating with your developer. Given that Lichfield property values regularly exceed £350,000, the investment in a snagging survey represents excellent value for protecting your purchase.
Ideally, book your snagging survey before your legal completion date, while you still have leverage with the developer. Many buyers schedule the inspection for the week before they plan to move in, allowing time to receive the report and request corrections before handover. However, you can also book after moving in if you discover issues - the report still provides valuable documentation for your builder. We recommend booking as soon as you have a confirmed completion date, as appointment availability can fill quickly, particularly during peak moving periods in Lichfield's busy housing market.
We cover all major new build developments in the Lichfield area, including properties from Charles Church at Lockside on Cricket Lane, Persimmon Homes at St John's Grange on London Road and Cromwell Wharf, Redrow at Curborough Lakes on Watery Lane, Barratt and David Wilson at Curborough Fields, Miller Homes at The Choristers in Streethay, Taylor Wimpey at The Spires near Birmingham Road, Sanctuary at The Maples, and Bellway at Sheasby Park in Fradley. Whether your new home is on a small infill site or one of the larger developments, our inspectors have the local knowledge to provide thorough assessments.
A snagging survey focuses on identifying defects, unfinished work, and quality issues that the builder should rectify before or shortly after you move in. This includes cosmetic issues, poorly fitted doors and windows, incomplete sealant work, and minor defects throughout the property. A structural warranty inspection, often provided by NHBC or similar providers like Premier Guarantee or LABC Warranty, examines the property against the warranty provider's technical standards and is typically conducted at key construction stages. Our snagging survey complements any warranty inspections by providing a comprehensive defect check from the buyer's perspective, ensuring nothing is missed.
Yes, our detailed snagging report is specifically designed to support negotiations with your developer. The report documents every defect with photographs, describes the issue clearly, and references relevant building regulations or NHBC standards where applicable. You can provide this documentation to your builder to request remedial works. Most developers take snagging reports seriously and will arrange to address the issues, particularly for newly built homes still covered by their two-year builder warranty. Properties in their first ten years may also be covered by NHBC or other structural warranty providers, giving you additional recourse if the builder fails to address significant defects.
Lichfield's geology presents specific considerations for new build properties. The underlying Mercia Mudstone clay soils in areas towards Elmhurst and Curborough are prone to shrink-swell movement, meaning foundations must be designed to account for this. Our inspectors check for signs of movement or cracking that may indicate foundation issues, particularly after periods of dry weather. Additionally, with the various developments across the area, drainage is crucial to prevent water accumulation near foundations. Properties near established trees require extra attention as tree roots can extract moisture from clay soils, exacerbating shrink-swell effects. Our local knowledge ensures these Lichfield-specific concerns are thoroughly addressed during your survey.
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Expert defect inspections for new homes in Lichfield and Staffordshire
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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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