New Build Snagging Surveys & Pre-Completion Inspections in Derby & Burton upon Trent
Buying a new-build home is an exciting step. An independent professional inspection can help identify defects, incomplete work and workmanship issues that may need attention.
Sure Surveyors provides professional New Build Snagging Surveys and Pre-Completion Inspections in Derby, Burton upon Trent and across the East Midlands and West Midlands, carried out by our RICS Chartered Surveyors.
What Is a New Build Snagging Survey?
A new build snagging survey is an independent inspection of a newly built property, focused on identifying defects, incomplete work and workmanship issues within the agreed scope.
The inspection provides a clear, property-specific record of relevant findings, helping you understand the condition and finish of your new home and identify matters that may need to be raised with the developer. A snagging survey is different from a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 Home Survey. It is specifically focused on issues associated with a newly built property.
What Is a Pre-Completion Inspection (PCI)?
A Pre-Completion Inspection (PCI) provides an opportunity to inspect a new-build home before legal completion and assess the standard of finish and relevant items requiring attention.
Where the New Homes Quality Code applies, customers purchasing from a registered developer may appoint a suitably qualified inspector to carry out the inspection using the New Homes Quality Board Pre-Completion Inspection Checklist. The inspector must meet the relevant professional membership, professional indemnity insurance and competency requirements.
The inspection provides a clear checklist of relevant findings. Access is arranged before legal completion and is subject to the developer’s access arrangements and relevant site health and safety requirements.
Which New Build Inspection Do I Need?
The appropriate inspection depends on the stage of your new-build purchase and the type of inspection required.
Stage | Pre-Completion Inspection | Snagging Survey |
Timing | Before legal completion, where appropriate access is available. | Can be relevant around handover and may also be appropriate after completion or move-in. |
Focus | Assesses the standard of finish and records relevant items requiring attention. | Identifies relevant defects, incomplete work and workmanship issues within the agreed scope. |
Process | Where the New Homes Quality Code applies, the relevant NHQB checklist is used. | Scope and reporting are agreed for the snagging service and the property. |
Not sure which inspection you need?
Tell us where you are in your new-build purchase and our team can discuss the appropriate service with you.
Why Have Your New Build Professionally Inspected?
Even with a newly built home, there may be defects, incomplete items or workmanship issues that require attention before or around handover.
Understand the standard and finish of the accessible areas inspected.
Identify relevant defects, incomplete work and workmanship issues.
Receive a clear, property-specific record of the findings.
Understand which matters may need to be raised with the developer.
A professional inspection can help you approach your new-home handover with greater clarity about the condition and finish of the property.
What Does a New Build Snagging Survey Include?
The surveyor will inspect the accessible areas and elements of the property in accordance with the agreed scope of the service.
The inspection focuses on relevant defects, incomplete work and workmanship issues that are visible and accessible at the time of inspection.
Depending on the property and agreed service, this may include relevant internal and external elements, finishes, fittings and other accessible components of the new home. The precise inspection scope and any limitations will be confirmed before the service is instructed.
How Does Our New Build Inspection Process Work?
1. Tell Us About Your Property
Provide details of your new-build property, its location and where you are in the purchase or completion process.
2. Confirm the Appropriate Service
We will discuss whether a Pre-Completion Inspection or snagging survey is appropriate and confirm the scope of the service.
3. Arrange Access
Access arrangements will be confirmed based on the stage of your purchase and the inspection required.
4. Property Inspection
A RICS Chartered Surveyor will carry out the inspection in accordance with the agreed scope and applicable inspection requirements.
5. Receive Your Findings
You’ll receive the appropriate report or inspection documentation setting out the relevant findings.
What Will You Receive After the Inspection?
Following your New Build Snagging Survey, you will receive a property-specific report setting out the relevant findings identified during the inspection.
For an applicable NHQB Pre-Completion Inspection, findings are recorded using the relevant Pre-Completion Inspection Checklist.
The exact format and scope of the documentation will be confirmed as part of the agreed service.
Why Choose Sure Surveyors?
RICS Chartered Surveyors
New-build inspections are carried out by RICS Chartered Surveyors, providing an independent professional assessment of the property.
Independent Professional Assessment
We identify and clearly communicate relevant findings within the agreed scope of the inspection.
Clear, Property-Specific Reporting
Receive clear inspection findings relevant to your property and the inspection service undertaken.
New Build Inspections in Derby, Burton upon Trent & the Midlands
Sure Surveyors provides New Build Snagging Surveys and Pre-Completion Inspections in Derby and Burton upon Trent, with wider coverage across the East Midlands and West Midlands.
If you are buying a new-build property within these areas, contact our team with your property details, expected completion stage and available access. We can confirm the appropriate inspection service and availability.
How Much Does a New Build Inspection Cost?
The cost depends on the size and complexity of the property and the type and scope of inspection required.
Contact Sure Surveyors with your property details and stage of purchase for a fixed quotation for the appropriate Pre-Completion Inspection or New Build Snagging Survey.
Areas We Cover
We provide New Build Inspections in: Burton upon Trent, Derby, Staffordshire & Midlands region
Request a New Build Inspection Quote
If you are buying a new-build property in Derby, Burton upon Trent, the East Midlands or West Midlands, speak to Sure Surveyors about arranging a New Build Snagging Survey or Pre-Completion Inspection with one of our RICS Chartered Surveyors.
Tell us where you are in your purchase and we can discuss the appropriate inspection service for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Reinstatement Cost Assessment?
A Reinstatement Cost Assessment estimates the cost of rebuilding an existing property following total destruction for buildings insurance purposes, including associated demolition, site clearance and professional fees where applicable. It is concerned with the cost of reinstating the building rather than its open-market sale value.
Is reinstatement cost the same as market value?
No. Market value relates to what a property may sell for, while reinstatement cost relates to the estimated cost of reconstructing the building. The two figures can therefore be very different.
Is a Reinstatement Cost Assessment the same as a rebuild cost assessment?
The terms are commonly used to describe the same underlying requirement: establishing an appropriate estimated cost to rebuild or reinstate a property for buildings insurance purposes.
How is a reinstatement value calculated?
The assessment considers relevant information about the property, which may include its size, construction, materials, location, access, demolition and site-clearance requirements, allowances for professional fees and other costs typically associated with reinstatement, and any specialist characteristics. Professional surveying judgement is applied together with recognised rebuilding cost information, including BCIS data where appropriate.
Can I use an online rebuild cost calculator instead?
Online calculators can provide a useful indication for some standard properties, but they may not capture unusual construction, specialist materials, listed status, access restrictions or other property-specific factors. A professional assessment considers the characteristics of the individual building.
How often should a Reinstatement Cost Assessment be reviewed?
Insurers commonly recommend reviewing reinstatement figures periodically, particularly following major alterations to the property or significant changes in construction costs. The appropriate review point will depend on the property, insurance requirements and individual circumstances.
Do extensions or alterations affect reinstatement cost?
They can. Extensions, conversions and significant alterations may change the cost of reconstructing the building and can therefore affect an existing reinstatement figure.
Do you provide Reinstatement Cost Assessments outside the Midlands?
Yes. Where a desktop assessment is suitable, Sure Surveyors can provide assessments across the UK. Site-visit assessments are focused on the East and West Midlands, including Burton-on-Trent, Derby, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Leicester, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and surrounding areas.
Do I need a desktop assessment or a site visit?
That depends on the property, the information available and the requirements of the instruction. Contact our team with the property details and we can discuss which approach is appropriate.