“It’s brand new and comes with a 10-year warranty – why would I pay for a survey?” Because new does not mean defect-free, and the warranty is nowhere near the safety net buyers assume it is.
What’s actually wrong with new builds
Independent snagging inspections routinely find dozens – sometimes over a hundred – defects in newly built homes: poorly fitted windows and doors, unfinished decoration, plumbing faults, missing insulation, flat roofs without falls, and occasionally genuine structural and fire-safety issues. Build programmes run late, trades get rushed, and the last homes on a site are finished fastest.
Why the warranty doesn’t save you
After the first two years, most new-home warranties only cover major structural failures – not the long tail of quality defects. And within the first two years, the developer fixes what is reported: an unreported defect is your problem later. The developer’s own “quality inspection” is not independent, and the mortgage valuation is not a survey at all.
What to book and when
A professional snagging survey before completion – or as early as possible afterwards – documents every defect in a schedule the developer must work through while they are still on site and motivated. Buying a new build that is a few years old instead? A RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey is usually the right tool.
Arrange it in one call
Kingston Surveyors arranges independent snagging inspectors and RICS surveyors across London and the UK, with same-day quotes and reports the developer cannot argue with. Call 0204 579 8270 for a free, no-obligation quote.
