A snagging reinspection is a follow-up visit to check whether specific issues in your original report have been put right. For a new build in England, the best time to arrange it is usually after the developer has confirmed which repairs are complete and you can access the affected rooms. If some trades are still due to attend, it may be more practical to wait and check the finished work together.
Turn Your Original Report Into a Short Repair List
Use the item numbers from your original report so the developer and inspector can refer to the same observations. For each item, keep the location, the original symptom, the developer's description of the repair and the date the work took place. An item such as “main bathroom, leak at basin waste when drained” is easier to recheck than “plumbing issue”.
Ask for a written status on each item. A job marked closed in the developer's system may mean the contractor attended or the work order ended. Ask what was done, especially if the repair changed a component that will later be covered by boxing, flooring or a panel. If work is concealed, ask whether the developer can provide dated photographs or relevant test records. The inspector can describe what is visible and accessible on the return visit.
You can use the item numbering and photo layout in Ashbridge's sample snagging report as a model for keeping the repair list easy to follow.
Decide What Needs an Independent Second Look
You may be able to confirm straightforward cosmetic touch-ups yourself. An independent check is more useful if a repair addressed a fault that affected normal use, the same symptom has returned, or several trades worked on one problem and you need a clear record of what is still unresolved. Ask the inspector to agree the items in advance and identify any that need a specialist test.
Example: A developer replaces the seal on a patio door after you report water at the internal threshold. On the return visit, the inspector can check the visible seal and operate the door. If the original leak happened only during wind-driven rain and the day is dry, the note should record that limitation. Send a dated photograph to after-sales if the water returns, using the same defect reference.
Ask for a Status You Can Act On
For each item, record the outcome as checked and satisfactory, still present, awaiting work, or unable to verify. Photograph the same location from a similar angle if practical. If work has damaged an adjacent finish, record that separately so the original item can be assessed on its own evidence.
Send any outstanding points to the developer in writing and ask for the next action and a timescale. Check the terms of your warranty and after-sales procedure if an issue remains disputed or the developer asks you to close the job. NHBC's first-two-years guidance, for example, sets out the route for Buildmark policyholders. For homes covered by the New Homes Quality Code, check the applicable version and its after-sales procedure.
If your repairs are ready to check, share the original report and the developer's repair list when you enquire about Ashbridge's reinspection option.