Keep every defect tracked, photographed and dated, until it's signed off.
For small firms handing over jobs without losing the final payment. Room-by-room, priority-coded snag list with dual sign-off in a single PDF.
Snagging is where most domestic disputes start. A client spots a mark on a wall 3 months later and claims the whole job is defective. A proper snag list at handover — signed by both parties — proves what was and wasn't flagged.
Disclaimer: This is a snagging record, not a survey or structural assessment. If you suspect a structural, electrical or gas safety issue, get a qualified professional to inspect.
Job Details
What the law actually says
- •A snag list signed by both parties at practical completion fixes what was and wasn't flagged. Anything raised later sits outside the agreed list.
- •Under most JCT and bespoke residential contracts, the client must allow you reasonable access to rectify within the defects period. Refusing access can amount to waiver.
- •The Defective Premises Act 1972 (as amended) extends residential liability well beyond the snag list, but a clean signed list is the first line of defence.
What to do next
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