If insulation looks thin or patchy around the loft hatch, ask the developer where the insulation is designed to sit and how the visible area is meant to be finished. Some roofs are insulated at ceiling level, while others have insulation in the roof slope or another designed location. Establishing the roof design helps you tell a visible concern from an intentional detail.
Start With the Hatch and the Areas You Can Safely See
If the developer or inspector can show you the loft safely, note the hatch location and look for obvious gaps in insulation where it should be continuous. In a loft insulated at ceiling level, look for areas where material has been displaced, compressed or left short near the hatch or around an obstruction. Ask how the hatch itself is insulated and sealed.
If insulation appears to be pushed into a space where ventilation is intended, flag the location for the developer to check against the design. Record dark staining, droplets or wet material if visible. Moisture can have different causes, including condensation or water ingress, and a photograph alone may not establish which is responsible.
Stay on a safe surface and leave the insulation and ventilation details in place. Some lofts have no safe access beyond the hatch, and hidden areas may be beyond the agreed inspection scope. Tell the inspector about anything you already know about access, boarded areas or storage before booking.
Ask for Evidence That Matches Your Home
Request the roof insulation detail for your plot and ask for photographs taken during installation, where available. Ask the developer to identify the material, designed thickness and position, and how the installation continues around the hatch, roof edges and services. What is needed depends on the material and the roof design. One depth measurement or one photo cannot confirm the performance of the whole roof.
For new homes in England, the applicable version of Approved Document L depends on the standards the building is subject to. GOV.UK links the current and earlier editions. If the developer provides an as-built energy compliance report or construction photographs, ask them to identify which details cover the area you have reported.
Example: From the hatch you can see an exposed patch above the landing beside the insulation quilt, but the loft has no safe walkway to that area. Give the developer a photo from the hatch, identify the patch relative to the landing and ask for the roof detail and an inspection of that section. Ask for a dated photograph of the completed work if they find a gap and correct it.
Record the Limits of the Visit
A snagging report can record visible uneven insulation, hatch concerns and areas that could not be seen. Confirming the full roof build-up, thermal performance or cause of recurring damp may need design evidence or a specialist investigation. If the visit is a pre-completion inspection under the New Homes Quality Code, check the applicable Code version and inspection checklist.
Use the new build snagging checklist for other areas of the home. If you would like Ashbridge to consider the visible loft concern as part of an inspection, share your photos and access details when requesting a snagging survey.