Snagging Survey Oldham

A snagging survey is a comprehensive inspection specifically designed for newly built properties. Unlike a standard building survey, a snagging inspection focuses on the finishing standards and minor defects that builders often overlook during their own quality checks. Our inspectors examine every accessible area of your new home, documenting issues ranging from poorly finished plasterwork and ill-fitting doors to more serious concerns like damp penetration or inadequate insulation.

In new build properties across Greater Manchester, our inspectors typically find between 100 and 200 individual snags during a comprehensive survey. These range from cosmetic issues like paint defects and scratched fittings to structural items that require immediate attention. The report we provide is detailed enough to present to your developer or builder, and it serves as valuable documentation for any warranty claims you may need to make. We've seen everything from missing sealant around windows that causes draughts to incomplete damp proof courses that could lead to serious problems down the line.

The survey covers both internal and external elements of the property. Internally, we check walls, ceilings, floors, joinery, kitchen units, bathrooms, and all fixtures. Externally, we examine the roof, gutters, brickwork, windows, doors, and external finishes. We also assess the boundaries, drives, and landscaping where these form part of the handover. Our inspectors spend between 2 and 4 hours at the property, working systematically through our comprehensive checklist to ensure nothing is missed.

Oldham's housing stock includes a mix of traditional brick construction and more modern building methods. Many of the newer developments use contemporary construction techniques, but we check all properties against the same rigorous standards. We understand that different build types present different common defects, and our local experience means we know exactly what to look for in properties built by the major developers active in this area.

• Internal wall and ceiling finishes
• Window and door operation
• Kitchen and bathroom fittings
• Electrical and plumbing visible defects
• Damp and mould assessment
• External brickwork and render
• Roof tiles and gutters
• Driveways and boundaries

Oldham has seen considerable residential development in recent years, with new housing estates appearing throughout the borough. In Shaw and Royton, Bellway Homes has delivered properties at the Old Brook View development, offering family homes to the market. First Choice Homes Oldham has been active with affordable housing schemes at Highbarn House on Shaw Street and the Belgrave Road site in Hathershaw, providing properties across various tenures including social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership.

These developments represent significant investment in the area, but regardless of who built your property, snagging issues can occur. Volume housebuilders work to tight timelines, and the pressure to complete numbers can sometimes result in finish quality being compromised. Our inspectors are familiar with the build types common in Greater Manchester, including traditional masonry construction and more modern methods, and they know what to look for. We've surveyed properties on estates throughout the borough, from town centre apartments to suburban family homes.

The typical defects we find in Oldham new builds reflect those seen across Greater Manchester. Poorly finished plasterwork with cracks or blemishes is extremely common, as are doors that don't close properly or have damage from handling. Incomplete sealant around windows and wet rooms causes draughts and potential damp issues. Externally, we often see drainage problems where gardens haven't been properly graded, and boundary treatments that don't match what was promised in the brochures. We also regularly find issues with extractor fans not working correctly, thermostatic mixing valves in bathrooms not being properly set, and external brickwork showing staining or damage.

The local geology and weather conditions in Oldham can also affect properties. The area sits on clay soils which can cause movement affecting window and door frames. Properties on higher ground around Shaw and Saddleworth may experience more exposure to wind and rain, making the quality of external seals and gutters particularly important. Our inspectors understand these local factors and pay special attention to the areas most likely to be affected.

• Bellway Homes developments in Shaw
• First Choice Homes Oldham schemes
• Affordable housing new builds
• Recent housing estate completions

Our experience surveying hundreds of new build properties in Oldham has given us insight into the most frequently occurring defects. Understanding these common issues helps you know what to expect and ensures our inspectors pay particular attention to problem areas. We've found that certain defect patterns repeat across developments, regardless of which builder is responsible.

Internally, the most common issues we encounter include paintwork defects such as roller marks, uneven coverage, and paint on surfaces that shouldn't be painted. Plasterwork problems are equally prevalent, with hairline cracks appearing at weak points, blemishes in the finish, and areas where the plaster hasn't been applied evenly. Doors frequently have issues with alignment, sticking in their frames, or showing damage from handling during the building process. Kitchen units often arrive with scratches or chips, and worktops may have damage from installation.

In bathrooms and wet rooms, we frequently find issues with sealant application. Gaps around baths, showers, and windows allow water penetration that can cause damp and mould problems.Extractor fans are often installed but not properly connected or vented, leading to poor air circulation. Thermostatic mixing valves in bathrooms may not be set correctly, leading to water temperatures that are unsafe or uncomfortable.

External defects are equally common. We regularly find problems with brickwork, including mortar snots (excess mortar on bricks), staining from mortar staining, and coping stones not properly fixed. Roof tiles can have minor damage from foot traffic during installation. Gutters and downpipes may not be properly connected or may have insufficient fall, leading to standing water and potential leaks. Driveways and paths often have inadequate fall, causing water to pool rather than drain away. Gardens frequently have drainage issues where the soil hasn't been properly compacted or graded.

Electrical and plumbing defects, while less common, do occur. We've found sockets and switches not properly secured, light fittings that don't work, and plumbing connections that aren't properly made. These issues may not be apparent during a quick walk-through but can cause significant problems after you've moved in.