Professional New-Build Snagging Surveys

Snagging Surveys involve a detailed inspection of all elements of your property, including the roof, elevations, windows, doors, site areas, inspection chambers, loft space, internal finishes and plumbing. Bath water temperature and carbon monoxide levels will be checked. All surveys include a free thermal imaging assessment of radiators and/or underfloor heating. In addition to spirit levels, a laser level is used to record surfaces which are not plumb or level. 

A borescope camera inspection of cavity wall insulation can be undertaken for an additional £40. Photographs of any issues will be included within the report. This service can be booked in advance or on the day of inspection after discussion with the surveyor. 

All issues are set out in a detailed report, with each issue photographed and sensibly grouped for ease of reference by the developer and homeowner. An overview of the report highlights any significant findings.

Roofs are photographed with a remote-controlled 10 x optical zoom camera mounted on a 12m telescopic pole (for close-up views of gutters, ridge lines and verge details), and from ground level using a 20 x optical zoom camera. Drones, which can be useful for multi-storey, complicated roofs, are not used due to less reliable photographs, and their use being dependent on weather conditions and local flight restrictions.

Thermal imaging is used on all surveys to check for faults in heating systems. Thermal imaging may also be used to indicate temperature differentials in areas affected by mould growth. This would be backed up by readings of surface temperature, air relative humidity and calculated dew point, which might reveal that a borescope inspection of the cavity would be worthwhile. These methods can pick up most defects without the need for a full thermal imaging survey. Full thermal surveys are weather dependent, require strict temperature differences between inside and outside (winter months only), and stable heating for several hours beforehand. If all these conditions are not met, thermal imaging may show very little or be misleading. Thermal imaging surveys may deliver value if you have specific concerns after living in your property through a cold season. City Surveys do not provide this service.