Keep Every Defect Organised From Day One

Published: July 2026 Buying a new-build home is exciting, but discovering defects before completion can leave many buyers asking the same question: Can I refuse to complete on a new-build property because of snags? The short answer It depends. In most cases, minor cosmetic snags are not enough to justify refusing legal completion. However, if significant defects affect the property's safety, security, weatherproofing or habitability, you should seek advice from your solicitor

Buying a new-build home comes with a long list of decisions, and one of them is whether to pay for a professional snagging inspection or inspect the property yourself. For many homeowners, the decision comes down to cost. A professional snagging inspection can cost several hundred pounds, while a DIY inspection costs little beyond your time and, if you choose to use one, the cost of a snagging app or reporting tool. But cost is only part of the decision. A good professional i

Finding defects in your new-build home is frustrating enough. Receiving an email saying "No defect found", "Within tolerance", or "No further action required" can be even more so. Many homeowners assume this is the end of the conversation. In reality, it often isn't. Sometimes the developer is correct. Sometimes the issue genuinely falls within accepted industry tolerances. But in other cases, the defect may not have been fully understood, adequately inspected, or clearly evi