Snagging Surveys in Ireland

A snagging survey is an independent inspection of a new build or recently completed home, carried out before you close the sale or before the builder's defects period runs out. The surveyor walks the property room by room, floor by floor, and records every visible defect: cracked plaster, uneven floors, sticking doors, gaps around window frames, missing sealant, poor paintwork, drainage falls, roof tile alignment, and incomplete fittings. Each item is written up with a location and a description, usually with photographs, and assembled into a schedule of defects you can hand to the builder or developer. On ShamFix you post your task, describe the property, its county, its stage of completion, and what you want inspected. Your task stays open for 30 days. Providers registered in this category can see it. You can also browse provider profiles by county and contact them directly to discuss scope, timing, and what the report will contain. The surveyor works for you, not for the builder, and the report is a document you keep and act on.

Snagging survey: this category is busy and nearly empty

Demand for snagging survey on ShamFix is high, and at most one provider is listed.

What shapes the price of snagging survey

Snagging survey pricing in Ireland is normally fixed per property rather than hourly, because the surveyor knows roughly how long a house of a given size takes.

Snagging survey questions people ask

What is the difference between a snagging survey and a structural survey?

A snagging survey lists visible defects and unfinished work in a new or recently completed home. A structural survey is a broader assessment of the building's condition, including movement, damp, and structural soundness. Snagging is about finishing quality and completeness. If you suspect a structural problem, ask the surveyor whether a structural engineer should also be engaged.

When should I arrange a snagging survey?

Arrange it once the builder has substantially completed the property but before you sign the final contract or close the sale. If you have already moved in, book it as early as possible inside the defects period. The earlier the inspection, the more time the builder has to correct items before that period ends.

How long does a snagging report take to arrive?

Most surveyors issue the report within a few days of the site visit, and some deliver it within twenty-four hours for an extra charge. The report is normally a written schedule with photographs, room by room. Ask for the expected turnaround in writing before you book, especially if you have a signing deadline.

Will the builder accept the snagging list?

Builders generally work from a written schedule of defects, so a clear, itemised report with photographs is easier for them to act on. Acceptance is a matter between you and the builder. Ask the surveyor whether they will correspond with the builder or provide a follow-up letter if an item is disputed.

Does a snagging survey cover the attic and roof?

It depends on the surveyor and the scope you agree. Some include the attic and roof where safe access exists, and some treat them as extras or exclude them. Ask before booking what is inspected, how the roof and attic are accessed, and whether external groundworks, drainage, and boundaries are included.

Can I book a snagging survey on an apartment?

Yes. Apartments are surveyed room by room like houses, and the inspection may also cover common areas, balconies, and external walls where access is available. Ask whether the fee covers common areas and whether the surveyor needs permission from the management company to inspect shared spaces.

Snagging Surveys in Ireland