In today’s episode, we are explaining the process of how you go about choosing a professional snagging company, what you should look out for, and how they show professionalism, as not all snagging companies are the same.
Check out some of the snags we have found on our YouTube channel.
Why do you need a professional snagger?
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you are going to make. Choosing the right professional snagging company to inspect your home should be done carefully. This can be a sensible decision and is probably a better idea than choosing to snag your new house yourself, especially if you don’t know how new builds are constructed.
Snagging your new property can be a daunting task, especially if you have just moved in and the site manager is pressurising you for a list of snags within the first 7-10 days. Most new build house buyers can spot snags, such as minor chips or dents. However, it takes a qualified and skilled professional snagger to identify the more complex or important structural snags. This means that often snags that could have serious cost implications for you in the future go unnoticed.
With so many things to consider when buying a new house, we understand that booking a professional snagging company can be at the bottom of your list. But choosing a snagging company is just as important as everything else you are trying to organise.
The cost of a professional snagger
It can take a while to research the right snagging company for you. Cost can be the first of people’s worries when looking for a professional snagger. However, you have just spent thousands of pounds on a brand new property, why wouldn’t you want to protect it and have a professional look over it and make sure that what you have invested in has been built right and that there are no hidden surprises that the builder have missed.
Most professional snagging companies will charge similar fees. These usually vary depending on how many bedrooms you have or the square footage. What most people who hire the services of a professional snagger don’t necessarily consider is what goes into generating the overall price.
A snagging company will have expenses such as office costs, heating and lighting, accountancy fees, pension, tax, ongoing training, website costs, public liability, and a whole load more costs! To run the business can cost around £200 a day.
Paying for a snagging company may seem like a huge amount and you may think you don’t need it, especially when your new build home seems shiny and perfect from the outside. But remember, all developers use a number of different subcontractors, with different levels of experience to build your home. If there is a defect within your home and it isn’t sorted out, you may have to pay out a lot of money in the future.
Be wary of snagging companies that charge significantly below the industry standard. This usually means that they are probably a start-up business and are not qualified to do the job.
What qualifications does a professional snagger have?
There are currently no qualifications for a professional snagger, so in respect, anybody can be a professional snagger. This is why it is so important to ensure that the professional snagging company you choose has the necessary experience in the house building industry to understand the fundamentals of how your new house has been constructed.
Ask them about their background. They should have experience as a site manager or higher, with NVQ qualifications. They should also either be a member or have previously been a member of industry bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building, Property Surveyors Association, or RICS (Royal Institue of Chartered Surveyors).
What to look for in a professional snagging company
You need to look at whether they have a well-structured website with all of the relevant information. This usually means that the company is reliable and knowledgable in their field of expertise. It should include in-depth information about the company, photographs of their work, sample reports and case studies, and – preferably – a detailed ‘About Us’ page. You should be able to find good testimonials on their website or at least a link to Trustpilot or Google. Check if they have any blogs giving useful tips and advice for the new homebuyer.
What and how many testimonials they have is a great way of seeing how the snagging company you are looking at is doing. The feedback from their clients will give you an insight into how they are performing. Most companies have customer reviews on Google or Trustpilot and there should be links to these on the website.
Before you decide on your new build snagging company, you should ask to review some sample reports. This will give you an idea of the depth of detail the company goes into when inspecting your home. Make sure the report uses photographs and date and time stamps to provide liability should you need it in the future.
The report should also include a clear description of the snag and use industry terminology in these descriptions. You want to make sure that the report you are going to hand over to your builder is both correct and professional.
What makes a reliable snagging company?
The new build snagging company you should be professional from the get-go. Whether that is from the initial phone call or the web page you view first. Are they prepared to give you impartial advice, even if you don’t use them in the future? If that is yes, then this is usually a sign of a good, reliable company.
You should also make sure that the snagging company is totally independent of any housebuilders, as some do work for developers under another company name. This will ensure a completely unbiased inspection. Do your research and make sure the company is well-respected within the housebuilding industry. Also, take into account how quickly they contact you after the initial enquiry.
A good snagging company should be in contact within 24 hours. When you do speak to them, are they interested in you and your requirements, or do you feel rushed? Are they just interested in their sales pitch and selling you add-ons such as thermal imaging.
At the end of the day, it is entirely up to you when it comes to choosing who does your new build snagging, but these are the areas you should focus on when doing your research. Remember, not all snagging companies are the same. You should always read reviews and speak to the snagging company before making your final decision. If your development has a Facebook group or other social media this can also be a good place to look as often recommendations of companies are posted there.
Listen to Let’s Get Snagging Episode Four: How To Snag Your House or find our other podcast episodes.
Find out more about our new build snagging services or get in touch for snagging advice from an expert.
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