How to use this checklist
Work through one room at a time in the same order: ceiling, walls, windows, floor, doors, then fittings. When you find a snag, photograph it, circle it and give it a numbered pin with a one-line description. Don’t try to judge whether something is “bad enough”. Record it and let the builder respond.
Before you start
- Charge your phone and install Drawpin. It works offline, so you won’t need Wi-Fi on site.
- Bring a torch for checking paint finish, corners and under sinks at a low angle.
- Bring a spirit level and tape measure for doors, worktops and tiling.
- A plug-in socket tester is handy for checking sockets quickly.
- Low-tack masking tape lets you mark small snags so the builder can find them.
- Allow a few hours. Rushed snagging misses things.
- Go in daylight so you can see paint and plaster properly.
Outside
- Brickwork: cracked, chipped or stained bricks, uneven or missing mortar.
- Render and cladding: cracks, patchy colour, gaps at edges.
- Roof: slipped, cracked or missing tiles (from the ground), ridge tiles secure.
- Gutters and downpipes: fixed securely, joints sealed, no sagging.
- Windows: frames undamaged, sealant complete, sills sloping away from the wall.
- Front and back doors: close and lock smoothly, weatherseals intact, no gaps.
- Air bricks and vents: present and not blocked by soil or paving.
- Paths and drive: even, no loose slabs, drains away from the house.
- External lights, taps and meter boxes: fitted securely and working.
Hall, stairs & landing
- Ceiling and walls: smooth finish, no cracks, dents or visible patches.
- Paintwork: even coverage, clean lines at ceilings and skirting.
- Skirting and architrave: fixed tight, joints filled, no gaps or missing sections.
- Stairs: no creaks or movement, handrail secure, balustrade spacing even.
- Smoke and heat alarms: fitted and working.
- Understairs cupboard: door closes, light works, no rubble left inside.
Kitchen
- Cupboard doors and drawers: aligned, open and close fully, hinges adjusted.
- Worktops: level, no chips, scratches or lifting joints, sealant at the wall complete.
- Sink and taps: no leaks under the sink, hot and cold the right way round, water drains quickly.
- Tiling and splashback: even grout, no cracked or hollow-sounding tiles.
- Appliances: all fitted and working, instructions and warranties supplied.
- Extractor fan: works and vents properly.
- Sockets and switches: straight, secure and working.
- Flooring: no lifting, gaps or damage, especially at thresholds.
Living rooms & bedrooms
- Walls and ceilings: no cracks, nail pops, bumps or rough patches.
- Windows: open, close and lock; restrictors fitted upstairs; glass unscratched; no condensation between panes.
- Doors: close without catching, latch properly, even gaps around the frame.
- Radiators: secure, level, heat up evenly, valves fitted.
- Sockets, switches and light fittings: straight, secure and working.
- Built-in wardrobes: doors aligned, rails and shelves fixed.
- Carpet or flooring: no gaps at the edges, no ripples, clean.
Bathrooms & en-suites
- Sealant: complete around the bath, shower tray, basin and toilet, with no gaps.
- Tiling: even grout lines, no cracked tiles, cut edges neat.
- Taps, shower and toilet: no leaks, good pressure, toilet flushes and refills properly.
- Waste: bath, basin and shower drain quickly without gurgling.
- Extractor fan: works and runs on after the light is switched off, if designed to.
- Shower screen or door: secure, seals fitted, doesn’t leak onto the floor.
- Sanitaryware: no chips or scratches in the bath, basin or toilet.
Loft
- Hatch: opens safely, fits well and is insulated.
- Insulation: laid evenly with no gaps, not squashed.
- Roof: no daylight through the roof, no signs of water getting in.
- Pipework and tanks (if any): insulated and supported.
- No builders’ rubbish left behind.
Heating, electrics & water
- Boiler or heat pump: runs, controls and thermostat work, manuals supplied.
- Consumer unit: circuits labelled, certificates supplied.
- Every socket, switch and light tested, including outside lights.
- Hot water reaches every tap within a reasonable time.
- Stopcock: you know where it is and it turns.
- Meters: readings taken on the day you move in.
Garage & garden
- Garage door: opens, closes and locks smoothly.
- Garage walls and floor: no large cracks, and power and lighting work.
- Fences and gates: upright, secure, gates latch.
- Turf and planting: laid as agreed, no buried rubble just under the surface.
- Garden drainage: no standing water after rain.
Record and send your snag list
A checklist tells you what to look for. Your snag list is what you found. For each item, take a photo, mark the defect and write one short, factual line. In Drawpin:
- Photograph the snag. Include enough of the room that it can be found.
- Circle it or add an arrow. Mark exactly what you mean.
- Add a numbered pin and note. One issue per pin, such as “Sealant missing along back edge of bath”.
- Export a PDF report. Send it to your builder’s customer care team and keep a copy.
Need help with wording? Read how to write a snag list. Prefer paper? Download our printable snag list template.
Check your warranty
New-home warranties and builder customer care policies differ. Read your own documents for how and when to report defects, and keep dated copies of everything you send.