New-build homeowner finds 150 faults days after moving in

Georgina and her husband spent three years saving to purchase their home in a new development located in south Leicestershire. Having paid nearly £300,000 for the property, they were determined to have it thoroughly inspected for any defects before moving in. As moving day drew closer, Georgina encountered numerous stories online about the common problems faced by new-build homeowners. “If there had been a fire, that’s one thing that could have happened and been very detrimental,” she noted, emphasizing her concern about potential undiscovered issues. For the couple, getting their new house snagged was essential and non-negotiable.

Upon inspection, several significant problems came to light, including roofing faults, low water pressure, and notably poor installation of the gas meter cabinet and gas piping. Beyond these critical defects, more than a dozen cosmetic and finishing flaws were identified throughout the home. Thankfully, as the property came with a two-year warranty from the developer, the necessary repairs were carried out. Georgina strongly recommends snagging for anyone purchasing a new build, highlighting her personal experience: “I would say for any new-build buyer, 100% no doubt, I recommend a snagger.”

John Cooper, co-founder of New Home Quality Control, is well acquainted with these common new-build issues. Having worked in the construction industry for years, he recalls an incident from 2018, when a site manager asked him to conceal a fault from an incoming buyer. That event marked a turning point, motivating Cooper and his colleague Lee Challenger to leave their previous roles and establish their own inspection company dedicated to exposing construction flaws. Cooper remarked, “We’ve never inspected a house and found absolutely nothing wrong with it.” Brickwork, carpentry, and roofing defects rank among the most frequent problems, with some developments even found using fake weep vents—decorative pieces installed instead of functioning vents for moisture escape.

Despite the fact that properties are inspected and signed off by the National House Building Council (NHBC) before buyers receive their keys, Mr. Cooper remains skeptical. He is frustrated by the fact that many flawed houses still pass this scrutiny: “I’m sick of hearing every property being signed off, because if that was the case, then we wouldn’t have a company.” Emotional reactions from clients are common when they realize the extent of issues, with some even brought to tears after discovering serious faults in homes they purchased with their life savings. While the inspections offered by companies like Cooper’s typically last between two and four hours and cost several hundred pounds, not every buyer can afford this additional service, as Georgina noted, “Money is tight for a lot of people.”

The NHBC has stated that builders are responsible for meeting building regulations, and homeowners must raise any problems within two years to seek remedy through the NHBC if necessary. The Home Builders Federation (HBF), representing the construction industry, acknowledged that some snags are inevitable given that new homes are crafted by numerous tradespeople in varying weather conditions. They noted that most snagging issues tend to be minor and that current quality standards keep pace with housebuilding rates. The Federation also emphasized labor shortages and regulatory barriers as reasons for stagnant housebuilding levels and warned consumers to verify the qualifications of any snagging inspectors they hire. While supportive of statutory registration for builders, the HBF does not see a need for blanket additional inspections, asserting that comprehensive regulations and warranties are already in place to ensure quality. Responses from several major developers were not provided, but the Welsh and UK governments have expressed commitments to improving home quality and investing in housing and skilled construction workers

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