Give your inspector a way into the property, the documents that show what you bought and a short list of concerns. For a new build in England, the biggest thing to establish is what will actually be accessible and working on the day. A room without a key or a home without running water changes what can be checked.
Confirm Access and the Type of Visit
If you already have the keys, make a list of anything with separate access, such as a garage, private store, side gate or meter cupboard. Ask what the inspector needs to view the loft safely. Share parking instructions, the exact plot or flat number and a working contact for the day. New postcodes and street names can be hard to find before navigation apps update.
For a pre-completion visit, get the developer's permission and confirm the meeting point, site rules and rooms available. If the sale falls under the New Homes Quality Code, confirm the version that applies to the reservation and whether the house or apartment template is required. Version 2 applies to qualifying homes reserved from 2 March 2026. Ashbridge explains the process and provides a date checker on its pre-completion inspection page.
Ask in advance whether the electricity, water and heating will be on, and whether any controls require an induction or demonstration. The inspector can note services that cannot be operated and tell you which observations would require a further visit.
Assemble One Short Pack
- The floor plan and plot number. Include any garden, balcony, parking space or store you want to discuss.
- The specification and agreed extras. Highlight changes such as an upgraded kitchen, flooring in certain rooms or a particular shower screen. Ask the developer for confirmation if your paperwork differs from what you see.
- Known problems and photos. Give a precise location, when the issue happens and how to reproduce it. For problems that depend on weather, share a dated photo or video.
- Previous reports and repair references. Include the developer's response if work has already been promised or carried out.
Keep your list brief enough to scan at the start. A room-by-room sweep can still cover the rest of the agreed scope. If you have moved in, clear space in front of windows, under sinks and around doors where possible. Avoid moving heavy items or opening service covers for the inspection.
Example: Water appears at the bottom of the living-room window after strong rain but dries by the afternoon. Send a photo taken while the sill is wet, the date and the location of the window on the plan. On a dry inspection day the inspector can look for visible signs and record the conditions under which the issue occurred.
Agree What Happens After the Visit
Ask when you will receive the report and how it records areas that could not be checked. Decide who will send it to the developer, and keep the report, photographs and any reference numbers together. Ashbridge's sample snagging report shows how observations can be recorded by location and item.
If you have an access date and know which services will be available, include those details when you ask Ashbridge for a survey price.