Moving into a new build property is exciting — but many buyers are surprised to find surface damage and finish defects in a brand new home. Chips in bathroom fittings, scratched tiles, damaged worktops and blemished flooring are among the most commonly reported new build snagging issues. Understanding your rights, what to look for, and how to get issues fixed is essential for every new build buyer.
Surface Damage Is the Most Common New Build Snagging Issue
According to Which? consumer research, surface finish defects are consistently in the top five most reported new build issues. These include:
- Chipped bath, shower tray or sink
- Scratched or cracked tiles in kitchen or bathroom
- Damaged worktops (chips, scratches, burns from construction activity)
- Scratched or damaged floor tiles or boards
- Paint finish blemishes and marks
- Chips in window sills and door frames
Many of these occur during the final stages of construction — other trades working in completed rooms, appliance installation, cleaning, and the general activity of finishing a house.
Your Legal Rights on New Build Snagging
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, new build homes must be of satisfactory quality. The Developer has a legal obligation to remedy defects identified during the snagging period — typically 2 years under the NHBC Buildmark warranty (for NHBC-registered developers) or equivalent warranty schemes. Surface damage present at completion is the developer’s responsibility to remedy before or shortly after handover.
How to Document Surface Snagging Issues
- Do a thorough walkthrough before legal completion — take your own or a professional snagging inspector
- Photograph every defect clearly — close-up and context shots
- Record the location of each defect (room, surface, position)
- Create a written snagging list and submit it to the developer formally (in writing, dated)
- Keep copies of all correspondence
When the Developer Won’t Fix It
If a developer refuses to remedy snagging defects, you can escalate through the NHBC (or equivalent warranty provider), the New Homes Ombudsman Service, or Trading Standards. For surface damage that is minor and you’d rather resolve quickly, professional repair rather than protracted disputes may be the pragmatic choice — particularly if the developer offers a cash settlement against the snagging list.
Professional New Build Surface Repair
Where developers commission surface repair themselves (rather than full replacement), professional surface repair specialists carry out the work. If you’re settling a snagging list with a cash payment from the developer, professional repair of surface damage typically costs significantly less than the replacement costs that would be used to calculate the settlement offer — meaning you can resolve the issues and potentially have change left over.
Get a New Build Snagging Repair Assessment
Send photos of the surface damage for a free assessment and quote. We work with individual buyers, developers and snagging companies across the UK.
