Snagging Survey Walsall

Our snagging inspections are thorough examinations of every accessible part of your new-build property. Our inspectors work through a detailed checklist that covers structural elements including walls, floors, ceilings, and the roof structure. We check that all doors and windows open and close properly, that locks function correctly, and that there are no gaps or draughts around fittings. The external envelope gets particular attention, with our surveyors examining brickwork, rendering, roof tiles, gutters, and drainage systems.

Inside the property, we test all electrical fixtures and plumbing, checking that sockets work, taps run properly, and water pressure is adequate. We examine the kitchen and bathroom installations, looking for poorly fitted units, damaged worktops, incomplete sealant around baths and showers, and any signs of water damage or leaks. Our inspectors also assess the quality of plasterwork and decorators' finishes, noting any cracks, uneven surfaces, or areas that need redecoration.

Given Walsall's specific challenges, we pay extra attention to issues that affect local properties. This includes checking for signs of subsidence related to the borough's clay soil and mining legacy, examining drainage that may be affected by ground movement, and verifying that ventilation meets standards in newer constructions. We document everything with photographs and provide you with a detailed report you can pass directly to your builder or developer.

Our surveyors also understand the local geology. Walsall sits on clay deposits that can shrink and swell with moisture changes, and the area has a legacy of coal mining that can affect surface stability. We check foundations and drainage with these specific local conditions in mind, making sure your new home is appropriate for the ground it stands on.

• Internal walls and ceilings
• Windows and doors
• Kitchen and bathroom installations
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing and drainage
• Roof and loft space
• External walls and finishes
• Foundations and ground floor

The Walsall area has seen significant new housing development in recent years, with several major projects bringing hundreds of new homes to the borough. Our surveyors regularly inspect properties on the Lockside Development off Old Birchills, a major scheme transforming the former Caparo steelworks site into new homes. We've seen properties there ranging from compact two-bedroom houses to larger family homes, and our inspectors are familiar with the construction methods used by Lovell Partnerships and Anthem Lovell on this site. We've also noted concerns from residents about water damage and contamination at adjacent properties, which makes our independent inspection even more valuable.

Another active development is on Lichfield Road, where smart apartments have been built by local developers. These modern apartment blocks present their own set of snagging considerations, from shared drainage systems to communal areas that may need attention. Our inspectors understand the specific issues that can affect apartment living, including soundproofing between units, fire safety systems, and the maintenance responsibilities that come with leasehold properties. We check the individual unit thoroughly but also note any issues affecting shared areas.

The SPARK Walsall regeneration project, one of Europe's largest brownfield redevelopment sites, represents the future of the borough's growth. While primarily commercial at present, this development signals continued investment in the area and means more homeowners will be buying new-build properties in coming years. Our snagging survey service is ready to help every one of these new homeowners get their issues identified and resolved before their warranty periods expire.

Beyond these major sites, we also inspect homes from other developers active in the area including properties built by William Davis Homes. Each developer has their own build quality and common defect patterns, and our inspectors build up knowledge of these over time to give you the most accurate assessment possible.

Our inspectors consistently find similar issues across new-build properties in the Walsall area. Poorly finished plasterwork is extremely common, with walls that have not dried properly before decoration, visible bumps and imperfections, and areas where paint has peeled or blistered. Ill-fitting doors are another frequent finding, with doors that stick, gap unevenly, or fail to close properly against their latches. These issues may seem minor but they affect your daily life and indicate the overall quality of the build.

Incomplete sealant around bathrooms and kitchens causes significant problems for homeowners. When sealant is missing or poorly applied around baths, showers, sinks, and worktops, water seeps through and causes damage to surfaces and structures below. Our surveyors find dozens of properties with this issue, often leading to hidden rot and mould that only becomes apparent months later. We check every seal thoroughly and flag any areas of concern in your report.

Drainage issues are particularly relevant in parts of Walsall where ground conditions can affect foundations and subsurface drainage. We've seen areas where paving has settled incorrectly, creating low points where water pools rather than draining away. Poor drainage can affect foundations over time, especially in an area with clay soils that expand and contract with moisture changes. Our inspectors examine all external areas, checking that gradients direct water away from the property and that gutters and downpipes are properly connected and free-flowing.

We also commonly find electrical socket faults where sockets are not properly connected or are installed incorrectly, and plumbing pressure issues where water flow is inadequate for normal household use. Kitchen units with damage or scratches from the build process, and incomplete paintwork where walls have been marked or damaged after the initial decoration, appear regularly in our reports. These defects may sound minor individually but together they represent thousands of pounds in remediation costs that should be covered by your warranty.

• Poorly finished plasterwork
• Ill-fitting doors and windows
• Missing or defective sealant
• Drainage and gutter problems
• Incomplete paintwork or decorators' finishes
• Damaged or scratched kitchen units
• Electrical socket faults
• Plumbing pressure issues