Builders are these days notorious for the poor quality of workmanship on new build properties. This problem has mainly been caused by the use of subcontractors and poor quality site management.

Any new home purchaser who fails to carry out an in-depth snag of the property prior to completion is laying themselves open to problems post completion.

The site manager or his No2 will attend a Snagging Meeting at the property, complete with notebook and pencil. If they turn up without some method of recording points of the meeting it is usually an indication of how seriously they take the process. Many builders will say they can commit the items to memory but if there is several hundred this will be impossible. On a three or four bedroomed house several hundred snag items is not uncommon.

You should come complete with a note book and pen and a plan or snagging guide of things you wish to inspect, you will also need a pair of binoculars to look at the roof, a tape measure, a marble or spirit level to check work top levelling, a torch to look into nooks and crannies, and a tool to lift the edge of carpeting etc.

The snagging process will involve a detailed inspection of the outside of the property including all the fencing and boundaries.

As you go around the property do not be hurried by the builder who will inevitably be wanting to get the process over as quick as possible. To hurry you along they will sometimes say they have another meeting and need to move things along. Ignore these comments and take as long as you need to carry out a full and detailed inspection. Make sure that you write down all the snags you find regardless of how small they seem to be. You can always delete them later.

Make sure you follow a precise plan of action when you get inside. Do not be rushed by the builder, he wants you to miss the lurking problems. A good idea is to carry out a snag on your current home to get the feel of finding faults and writing them down. Practice first, it will make the real thing a lot easier.

Take each room as a project in its own right and work around the room in a clockwise rotation looking up to the ceiling and down to the floor. Do not be afraid to get on you hands and knees or to use a stepladder to inspect items.

When you find a snag item stop and write it down on your list, never just commit it to memory you will be sure to forget it.

When you have finished the snagging, move into the kitchen where you can use the worktop to finalise your notes.

If you have carried out a Snagging Meeting with an average builder on a three or four bed roomed house you are quite likely to have a list of two to three hundred items that need attention, this is quite normal. Do not be put off by the builder who will huff and puff at your list.

Take note that the builder is not your friend, they will be charging you top money for building a house but will in the main build to the lowest standard they can get away with. You only have to do a search on the Internet for house building problems to read many horror stories of the unwary that did not snag their new property properly PRIOR to completion.

After the meeting take your snag list home and create a complete numbered list of each item area by area. Then produce enough copies for all of the trades. We suggest 12 copies.

Deliver the snag list preferably by hand to the actual builder or Site Manager. Actually place it in his hands so he cannot deny not receiving it.

The Site Manager usually allocated the Snagging list to various "Trades" for remedial work to be carried out. By producing enough copies you are making his job easier and he is more likely to take you seriously.

If you do not get the snags corrected prior to completion and the builder getting paid, you will find it increasingly difficult to get the builders attention. Once they have their money after completion, almost impossible.

In summary make sure you have a snagging plan and some practice of writing notes while standing. Remember the builder is not your friend. They will be doing the minimum they can get away with.