What is the difference between a pre completion and post completion snagging inspection?

A pre completion snagging inspection is carried out before legal completion, subject to the developer allowing access. It identifies defects and incomplete work before the property is handed over. A post completion inspection takes place after completion and can identify outstanding or newly apparent issues requiring attention.

Is it worth having both pre and post completion snagging inspections?

Yes, particularly where a property has a number of outstanding defects. Having inspections at both stages can provide a clearer picture of the property's condition and help establish whether previously identified problems have been addressed.

Can a snagging inspection identify problems that do not meet NHBC standards?

Yes. Professional snagging inspectors can identify visible workmanship issues that may fall outside relevant NHBC technical standards. In this Lytham St Annes inspection, concerns were raised about brickwork alignment and internal wall finishes.

Can I get a second snagging inspection after moving into my new build?

Yes. A post completion or follow-up inspection can be arranged after moving in. This can be useful for identifying additional defects or checking whether previously reported snags have been rectified.

Do you provide home snagging inspections in Lytham St Annes?

Yes. Home Snagging UK provides independent home snagging and house snagging inspections in Lytham St Annes and surrounding areas, including pre completion and post completion inspections for new build properties.

How many snags can a new build property have before completion?

The number varies considerably depending on the property and quality of workmanship. In this case, 93 issues were identified during the initial pre completion inspection at Richmond Point.

Home Snagging Lytham St Annes | Case Studies

Buying a new build home is a major investment, and making sure the property has been finished to the correct standard is an important part of the process. This home snagging case study in Lytham St Annes highlights the benefits of arranging professional inspections both before and after completion.

Bernadene arranged independent home snagging inspections at Richmond Point, a Rowland Homes development in Lytham St Annes. The initial pre completion inspection identified 93 issues, including problems with brickwork, plastering, roofing, internal finishes and insulation.

By having the property professionally inspected, Bernadene was able to obtain a detailed record of outstanding defects and ensure they could be raised with the developer.

Property Overview

The property is a new build home at Richmond Point in Lytham St Annes, FY8, developed by Rowland Homes.

Home Snagging UK was instructed to carry out both pre completion and post completion inspections, providing independent assessments at different stages of the buying process.

The initial pre completion inspection was carried out by Keith Reed on 14 August 2026, identifying 93 issues requiring attention.

Roof tiles inspected at Richmond Point, Lytham St Annes

Why the Customer Contacted Home Snagging UK

Bernadene wanted the reassurance of having her new home professionally inspected before completion, followed by a further inspection after the property had been handed over.

Although housebuilders carry out their own quality checks, an independent house snagging inspection provides an additional level of scrutiny from somebody working directly on behalf of the buyer.

Having inspections at both stages can be particularly valuable. The first identifies outstanding defects before handover, while the second provides an opportunity to assess the property again and check whether previously identified problems have been resolved.

Loft insulation inspected at Richmond Point, Lytham St Annes

Type of Snagging Inspection Carried Out - Coventry

Type of Snagging Inspections Carried Out

Home Snagging UK provided both Pre Completion and Post Completion Inspections at the Richmond Point property.

The inspections were designed to assess workmanship, identify defects and provide clear photographic evidence of issues requiring attention.

The pre completion inspection covered:

External brickwork, pointing, roofing and guttering
Windows, doors and external finishes
Internal plastering, decoration and joinery
Kitchen installation and appliances
Bathrooms, WC and en suite
Stairs, flooring and internal fittings
Loft insulation and ventilation
Garage, driveway and garden areas

A detailed snagging report was produced, documenting the findings so they could be raised directly with Rowland Homes.

Our Pre-Completion Snagging Services Call us - 01302 974418

What the Home Snagging Inspection Found

The initial pre completion inspection identified 93 issues throughout the property, ranging from minor cosmetic defects to more significant workmanship concerns.

Brickwork inspected at Richmond Point, Lytham St Annes

External defects

Externally, Keith identified several issues with the brickwork, including a substantial bulge to one elevation where the wall was neither straight nor plumb. The report highlighted that this fell outside the tolerances set out within NHBC Standards.

Further external defects included damaged roof tiles, debris left on the roof and within guttering, damaged fascia boards, incomplete sealing and poorly finished flashing beneath the solar panels.

Incomplete fencing and landscaping at Richmond Point, Lytham St Annes

Outside works

The driveway had not received its final tarmac surface, while fencing and landscaping works remained incomplete.

Staircase inspected at Richmond Point, Lytham St Annes

Internal finishes

Inside the property, a number of plastering and decoration issues were identified throughout the rooms. These included uneven wall surfaces, visible plasterboard joints, incomplete decoration and damaged finishes.

The staircase contained several concerns, including a significant hump in the stair wall that was identified as falling outside NHBC tolerances. Other issues included creaking stair treads, uneven bulkhead finishes and poor plastering.

Kitchen inspected at Richmond Point, Lytham St Annes

Kitchen and bathrooms

In the kitchen, the inspection highlighted incorrectly fitted cupboard hinges, excessive gaps around worktop joints, an unsuitable bend in the washing machine waste pipe and incomplete sealing around units.

Bathrooms and en suite areas also required attention. Missing silicone seals, loose fittings, poorly finished tiling and a shower screen that did not operate smoothly were among the defects recorded.

The inspection also identified patches of mould growth along skirting boards in one bedroom, highlighting an issue that required investigation before the property was occupied.

Within the loft, insulation was missing from around the solar panel platform, while extract ducting had not been mechanically secured and insulation had been disturbed around the ducting.

These findings demonstrate how a professional home snagging inspection can identify issues that would be difficult for a homeowner to spot during a standard developer walkthrough.

Outcome for the Homeowner

Bernadene received a detailed independent snagging report documenting the 93 issues identified during the pre completion inspection.

The report provided a clear record of the defects requiring attention, supported by photographs and explanations to help with discussions with Rowland Homes.

A post completion inspection was also arranged, providing further reassurance after handover.

This approach allows homeowners to monitor outstanding issues across different stages of the buying process rather than relying solely on the developer's own checks.

A very thorough and helpful survey both pre and post completion.

Click to read review on Google

Why Pre and Post Completion Home Snagging Inspections Are Worthwhile

This Lytham St Annes case study highlights the benefits of having a new build property inspected at more than one stage.

A pre completion house snagging inspection can identify problems before you move in, giving the developer an opportunity to carry out remedial work ahead of handover.

A post completion inspection provides a further opportunity to assess the condition of the property, particularly where defects remain outstanding or additional problems have become apparent.

Together, these inspections can help homeowners:

Identify workmanship defects before moving in
Obtain photographic evidence of outstanding issues
Check whether previously identified defects have been addressed
Highlight additional problems after completion
Approach their developer with greater confidence

For buyers purchasing a new build property, independent inspections can provide valuable reassurance throughout the completion process.

FAQs

A new-build detached house with an oak-framed carport on an unfinished plot

Book Your Snagging Survey Today

Don't leave the quality of your new home to chance. Schedule a professional snagging survey with Home Snagging UK and move in with confidence.

Whether you need a Pre-Completion Inspection. A Post-Completion Snagging Survey. A De-Snag Inspection, or a Refurbishment and Extension Snagging Check, HomeSnagging UK is ready to help. Protect your investment. Move in with confidence.

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Home Snagging Inspections in Lytham St Annes