Snagging checklist
What to check before handover, room by room and outside. Use it as a starting point and add the checks your project, specification and client need.
Before you start
- Have the current drawings with you, so you can check against the latest revision.
- Work in the same order in every room: ceiling, walls, windows, doors, floor, then fittings and services.
- Take a photo of every snag, and note exactly where it is.
- Check in good light. A torch held low across a wall shows up marks and uneven finishes.
Walls and ceilings
- Paint finish: even colour, no runs, patches, brush marks or missed areas.
- Plaster and board: no cracks, dents, nail pops or visible joints.
- Corners and edges straight and clean; beads not damaged.
- Tiling: even joints, no cracked or loose tiles, grout and silicone complete.
- Ceilings level, with access panels, grilles and fittings neatly finished.
Floors
- Floor finishes level, clean and undamaged, with no lifting edges.
- Thresholds and trims fitted where floor finishes meet.
- Skirting fitted tight, with joints filled and painted.
Doors and ironmongery
- Doors open and close freely, without catching or swinging on their own.
- Even gaps around the door; closers adjusted.
- Handles, locks and hinges fitted firmly and working; keys present.
- Fire doors fitted with the signs, seals and closers set out in the specification.
- Frames and architraves undamaged and finished.
Windows
- Windows open, close and lock properly; restrictors fitted where needed.
- Glass clean and undamaged, with labels and film removed.
- Seals, sills and reveals complete and finished.
Kitchens and bathrooms
- Units level and secure, doors and drawers aligned and working.
- Worktops undamaged, joints sealed.
- Taps, showers and toilets working, with no leaks.
- Silicone neat and complete around baths, basins and worktops.
- Extract fans working.
Electrics and services
- Sockets, switches and fittings straight, with covers fitted.
- Lights working, including emergency lighting where fitted.
- Heating and hot water working; radiators secure and free of leaks.
- Labels and test certificates provided for the handover information.
Outside
- Brickwork and pointing clean and complete, with no mortar staining.
- Gutters, downpipes and roof finishes complete.
- Paths, paving and parking finished, with no trip hazards.
- External lighting, fencing, gates and landscaping complete.
- Site cleared of materials and rubbish.
After the walk-round
Give each snag to the trade responsible, with a date to fix it by, then check each fix and close it. See how to write a good snag and what goes in a snagging report.