Know your snagging and warranty deadlines for this job at a glance.

Sound familiar?

• “Practical completion was eight months ago. Client's just raised a snag. Do I still have to fix it?”
• “Defects period ended in March. They're threatening court over something that appeared in April.”
• “I've got three live jobs with three different defect windows and I can't keep track.”
• “My contract says 12 months but their snag email says 'within a reasonable time'. Who's right?”

What this tool does

Takes your practical completion date and contract defects period and shows you the snagging window, the end of the defects liability period, and the outer limit for latent defects under limitation law.

What the law actually says

• •The defects liability period is whatever your contract specifies, 6 or 12 months is standard. During that window, the client can require you to return and fix defects at your cost.
• •After the defects period, liability shifts to breach of contract. The Limitation Act 1980 sets the outer limit: 6 years for simple contracts, 12 years for deeds.
• •The Defective Premises Act 1972 (amended by the Building Safety Act 2022) extends liability in residential work well beyond standard contract terms.

What to do next

• If a snag arrived late: dealing with snags after the defects period ends
• Write a handover that protects you: Handover Pack Builder
• If they want rectification: going back without losing your shirt